Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What do you believe? (Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, Chopra)

    "A belief is something you hold on to because you think it is true."  states Chopra in Ageless Body, Timeless Mind.  Whether you believe something or not is completely your choice.  He continues, "But unlike a thought, which actively forms words or images in your brain, a belief is generally silent."  Our bodies will react automatically to our beliefs.  Take a man who is afraid of confined spaces.  His body will react for him; pounding heart; sweaty palms; panting breath.  Regardless of his attempt to thwart his fear with thoughts such as, "There's no reason to be afraid." or "Small rooms aren't dangerous."  His body will override his endeavor, explains Chopra.  This is the same type of belief that we have about aging.  Our bodies will do the aging for us because we believe it.  This isn't to say that we can think aging away but that we have to physically believe that when we get older we will not lose our capacity to do physical activity.  Exercise is still just as important when we are 96 years old.  Why?  Because, physically, we are believing that age cannot stop our bodies from doing all the things we could physically do in our 20's.  Lastly, Chopra states, "...by adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can delay symptoms of aging by as much as thirty years."  It's all about believing it completely, in your mind and body.
     I've always thought that as you age you become more tired and slow down.  When I was younger I would wonder what disease I would die of, since everyone died from something.   I now know that I don't have to believe that.  I can continue to be like I am now, in my 20's, running up stairs, skiing, and hiking.  I don't have to slow down unless I want to.  Can you imagine 100 years of life in good health, lots of energy and a strong mind?!?  I can!

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