Healthy. Wealthy. Wise.
I’m pretty sure that the idea of a good life can’t just be summed up with the pursuit of health, wealth, and happiness.
For starters, a pursuit sounds like a car chase on the evening news. It’s fun to watch for a minute, recklessly fast, and ends badly. A madman fleeing the scene trying to escape judgment.
Instead of pursuit, I prefer practice. A practice is something one does. It’s what develops into a routine or rhythm of life. A discipline.
Health.
Wealth.
Happiness.
Health is a way of life. Wealth is a state of mind. And, happiness is a byproduct of having the first two in balance.
I learned a very long time ago that health is a four-legged chair that we sit on: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
The shortest leg is where we might be leaning at any given moment throughout the day. I’d like to pause for a moment here and let you figure out which way you’re leaning.
All four are connected. Together they give us a foundation for living life skillfully. In balance.
We can’t ignore any of these four fundamentals of well-being if we want to be healthier. They are dependent, interconnected.
I’ve learned that physical health is the easiest to improve because we can clearly measure progress. But, we’re not a body. We’re not even a mind.
We are souls that need love.
Spiritually we need to be nourished. And the best way to do that is to understand and strengthen our emotional bonds.
True story.
It’s impossible to change and grow outside the context of community. Research backs me up on this. People who experience love on the regular live longer, bounce back faster from physical and mental disease, and experience greater fulfillment in life. Aka happiness.
I’ve said it before: people are not problems to be solved, we’re souls in need of love.
Which brings me to wealth.
I’m not talking about money. That’s just a tool. An amplifier of character. It’s dangerous in the wrong hands. Transformative in the hands of the wise.
We can be wealthy in relationships. Abundance is a mindset.
If our soul is sick we won’t have the character to use the resources we’ve earned to live a generous and fruitful life.
If our body is sick it will quickly deplete our resources.
If we’re mentally sick we’ll use money to hurt people, keep score, manipulate others, and become dependent in the worst ways imaginable.
The worst place to be is spiritually bankrupt and alone.
They say that youth is wasted on the young. I’d argue that wealth is wasted on the emotionally immature. Those poor lost souls who think money can buy anything that really matters.
So how do we find balance?
For starters, its about redefining what wealth means to us.
No doubt, money can provide comfort and security. But true wealth lies in our connections with others. The strength of our character. And our ability to cultivate a rich inner life.
You see my friend, when we view wealth through a broader lens, we appreciate the abundance that surrounds us every day. Even in the simplest moments.
Just as athletes train to hone their skills, we must practice the habits that sustain our well-being.
This means being intentional about:
> our physical health
> nurturing our relationships
> seeking spiritual nourishment
It’s not about grand gestures.
Nope.
This is about consistent, small actions that build over time.
Take physical health, for example. We don’t need to run marathons to be fit. A daily walk, mindful eating, and regular sleep can significantly impact our well-being over time. These practices, done consistently, help us build resilience and energy to face life's challenges.
As I've said before: small steps over time lead to massive results.
When it comes to our emotional and mental health, it’s about creating space for self-reflection and connection. I do this on the regular. In fact, it's the only thing I'm religious about.
It might look like reaching out to a friend or a loved one, listening deeply, and offering support. Cultivating a meditation and prayer habit. Or finding a regular daily time to journal.
Whatever we choose to embrace, it’s about being present and authentic in our interactions.
Spiritually, we need to find what nourishes our soul.
For some, this might be prayer or meditation; for others, it might be spending time in nature, engaging in creative pursuits, or participating in community service. Whatever it is, it should be something that brings a sense of peace and fulfillment.
Balance is not a static state but a dynamic process. It requires regular check-ins with ourselves, asking how we’re doing in each area of our health. It means being gentle with ourselves when we fall short and celebrating our progress, no matter how small.
When we practice habits that nurture our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, happiness naturally follows.
It’s not something we chase but something we cultivate.
It’s the sweet fruit of a life well-lived, balanced, and connected.
A good life is not a pursuit but a practice.
It’s about developing routines that foster health, cultivating a mindset of abundance, and building meaningful connections.
It’s about understanding that we’re more than our bodies or minds; we’re souls in need of love.
Because when we embrace life holistically, we find true wealth and lasting happiness.
So, take a moment, my friend. Steal away today for a little self reflection to assess your balance.
Which leg of your chair needs attention?
What small practice can you introduce to bring more stability into your life?
Remember, it’s not about perfection but about progress.
One day at a time.
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Steve Knox | Somewhere on this Spinning Ball of Dirt
/// Thanks for reading! LMK what topics and issues you’re interested in me writing about. I’d love to explore what’s relevant to you in different and inspiring ways. Much love. Be honest. Be you.