Some of you reading this may be enjoying their best years of health. Others may be struggling with a difficult diagnosis. Still others may feel trapped in a cycle of bad habits. Regardless of where you are, one of the keys to healthy living is to live every moment to the fullest. It is essential that we take the moment in front of us and live that moment with hope. Sometimes our best intentions to plan ahead for our health can rob us of our health happiness TODAY. As a healthcare provider, I wanted to remind us all of a few key health science concepts that I have learned over and over again while caring for children:
Stop and appreciate each breath, regardless of your future goals.
Trust others more freely. Let yourself be filled with hope by hugging a child like faith in LOVE and LIFE.
Don’t worry about tomorrow. Plan for tomorrow’s health, but appreciate what you have now.
Children are known for seizing the moment, regardless of what lies ahead. They are known for implicit trust. That must be why there are so many illustrations of hugging a child like faith. The evidence is clear that strength in the moment comes from mental agility and mindfulness of the present. Confidence and hope in the moment are essential to health. Today’s tip reminders are inspired by a Piraha boy I cared for in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil:
I had been assigned to work with a community health group, testing for malaria in rural areas of northwestern Brazil. One of our tasks was to test for malaria and treat the cases that we found. I expected to be treating bedridden patients with high fevers, no energy. Instead, what I found was many children playing soccer in the fields, while testing positive for malaria! In an attempt to treat each individual case, I called a boy, Joao, to the clinic. His malaria level in his blood was high, but not his energy or zest for life. He was around 7 years old and his frailty was hiding behind his intense energy. I told his mom that he had malaria and that she would need to take the medicine to treat it for a few days. As we checked his temperature, his high fever was a surprise to me. He was so energetic and seemed to face such a difficult illness without a care in the world! I can even remember him begging his mother to let him finish his soccer game before he started taking the malaria medication! He lived moment to moment, and it was obvious that he had grown accustomed to appreciating whatever opportunities life offered him, malaria or not.
I hope Joao’s story reminds you to appreciate today’s health as you LOOK FORWARD to your health goals. I have learned from patients in all walks of life that this is where HOPE begins. From the cradle to the grave, we can cherish every breath given to us with a childlike faith for every moment!
