THE ULTIMATE WORKOUT

Written By Gayle Applegate

The Ultimate Workout

Created for the purpose of teaching, this world contains an infinite number of components devised to distract and test humanity. It comes at us with a barrage of illusions and make-believe tools used to cause confusion and mislead us into chasing unimportant things; the latest fads, gadgets, gimmicks, and tricks are just a small example of the infinite trivial distractions. Far more dangerous and damaging are the ideas, notions, and beliefs that lead us further from the core of our being, presenting tests we may not recognize as such. We should always remain aware of ourselves as more than just mortals passing through the world in a shell of flesh and blood. 

We are eternal. 

Body, mind, heart, and soul or spirit comprise our entire being, directed by a will to freely choose between our options. We have the power to decide our fate in conjunction with the events and circumstances presented by the world. The everyday choices we make, whether we “see” an immediate outcome or not, presents an even greater opportunity to rise above the choices we made in the past. It is an unending cycle of chances to grow and evolve as more than just flesh. The key to those who have risen above the world under the most burdensome and trying of circumstances is simply this: practice at exercising their spirit.

Although it is important to “exercise” the body, mind, and heart, what drives the entire being through the world of abstract or unseen challenges, remains the spirit. If the spirit is unused and unhealthy, the remainder of the human being suffers without hope of relief. No matter how much you work-out your body; no matter how the ways you seek to expand your mind; no matter how great you use your heart, your soul will perish unless it is the driving force behind every part of your existence. 

So how do we exercise our spirit? 

Words, thoughts, and deeds are what we daily employ in the performance of exercising free will. Contained within all words, thoughts, and deeds are the choices to elevate our spirit. Although the spirit encounters many threats to its health, one of its greatest enemies remains hopelessness or despair. To counteract the distractions of the world, we must willfully focus through the “eyes” of the spirit on the hopelessness and despair both inside and outside ourselves. Prayer and/or meditation help with strengthening focus, but awareness is foremost.

In today’s world, there exists great hopelessness and despair. Search within and pinpoint the source of your own. Look around and find it in others. It is sometimes more difficult to overcome our own despair rather than for others. By offering hope to another soul, you lighten the despair of your own through transference. Trust the process. As a 3-time cancer survivor, I did not overcome my own hopelessness and despair through a sickened body, distracted mind, or broken heart, but by the power of my spirit to step outside myself. Even in my darkest hour, the continued effort to bring the light of hope to others caused a lightening of spirit that strengthened me in body, mind and heart. Only then did my choice to live beyond the trials/tests pull me through into life once more.