Every year we buy gifts for the important people in our lives. We spend lots of time and money identifying and purchasing the “right” gifts that will bring smiles, joy and happiness to our loved ones. The best gifts are not necessarily the ones that cost the most money. Many relatively inexpensive gifts can touch the recipients in deeper ways.
A quote I came across, attributed to a minister/author, gives pause to think about the very best gift to others:
“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.”
Now, on the surface, this sounds pretty much self-serving as you being a healthy “you” seems to be all about “you” and not the person celebrating a birthday, wedding anniversary, holiday, retirement or other special occasion. However, let’s take a step back and think about this for a bit.
Whether your presence in your family members’ lives is needed for financial support, emotional well-being or other, your absence due to serious illness or death will negatively impact, in a major way, your loved ones. Similarly, the contributions you make to your professional fields and colleagues will also be negatively affected.
The healthy “YOU” brings LOTS of positive things to the most important people in your world. When you think about this concept, it is sort of selfish to NOT follow the type of life-style that will set you up to be the healthy “YOU”. Obviously, there are certain illnesses and medical conditions that are not under our control. However, weight related co-morbidities are most certainly “controllable” by making your weight control journey successful.
Your healthy presence is, in fact, the greatest gift you can give to your loved ones. You cannot buy this gift on Amazon or wrap it in a box with a bow on top. However, the greatest gift you can give will be enjoyed by lots of people. Work on that gift…stay focused on your weight control efforts.
