As a former pilot, I’ve always been a sucker for checklists.

You may think you are in full control of your agenda…but in a careless moment you can come to grief by not checking off your full “to do” list.

Since there is little we can do to influence or control the major macro economic tides that threaten to engulf our plans, it’s time once again to pull out the owner’s manual on the most valuable possession we have:

Our life. Our good health.

Especially now, when financial stress is at such a high pitch.

Check out Choosing Brilliant Health: 9 Choices That Redefine What It Takes to Create Lifelong Vitality and Well-Being by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks next time you are at the bookstore or library. The authors have consulted with the Mayo Clinic and the American Heart Association, among others.

If you are already multi-tasking to the max, another self-help book may not be so high a priority right now. But you should remember the high degree of correlation between readership and successful people.

As a summary, here are the authors’ nine bullet points…

The Common Practices followed by those who seek Health and Happiness

1. They are intentional…in following the practices needed to achieve and maintain optimal health.
2. They are accountable. There is no blame placed on others or circumstances.
3. They identify and focus their attention on things they value and enjoy.
4. They practice centrality, and avoid detours and distractions.
5. They recast the difficult events in their lives…as being unavoidable life occurrences.
6. They seek new options. They refuse to think that they cannot change their lives.
7. They live in the moment.
8. They live lives of service to others less fortunate than themselves.
9. They are honest with themselves and others.

These precepts may have surprised you. Most health tips focus on the mechanics of diet, exercise and prevention.

We tend to take our attitude and outlook for granted….which makes most of us reactive rather than proactive.

It’s time to step back and gain some perspective.

In the grand picture, beliefs and expectations may be the best markers we have for health, well being, and longevity.

Best of all….no messy deductibles or copays required.

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Posted: 01|26|09 at 6:52 am. Filed under: books, healthcare.
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