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Breakthrough Newsletter>
The Law of Esprit
April 16, 2008
ARTICLE: THE LAW OF ESPRIT
BY: MICHAEL RICHARD HANDS,MA
Many people believe that the basic issues in wellness are
1) disciplining ourselves to eat well, and 2) exercising
regularly.
Not true.
According to Greg Anderson in his book, The 22
Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, "the single overriding
objective in wellness is creating constant personal renewal
where we recognize and act on the truth that each day is a
miraculous gift and our job is to untie the ribbons." I
agree.
That's the Law of Esprit: living life with joy.
I've always held that Optimal Wellness means "enjoying" the
many wonders of being alive. True wellness is the ability
to generate a joyful stance toward life on a daily basis.
Embracing a lifestyle of Optimal Wellness carries with it
the exceptional promise that we can know an esprit, a deep
satisfaction, in all areas of our life experience.
If life is a constant battle against weight gain, a
herculean effort of keeping fit, a career filled with
struggle, a marriage that is toxic, we have missed
wellness. We have missed it because we have missed joy.
The Law of Esprit has not been honored.
What if you approached wellness from the perspective of joy
and not willpower? That, my friend, could be the
breakthrough -- the quantum leap -- capable of revitalizing
your life!
Remember, in life we do not always get what we want or
expect. Yet, what we focus on expands. The Law of Esprit
recognizes that when we focus on improving ourselves
"joyfully" physically, mentally, emotionally, and
spiritually every day, we immediately begin to see three
values emerge:
1. Satisfaction: since life becomes primarily a pleasant
experience.
2. Creativity: which keeps life interesting and makes us
want more of it.
3. Wisdom: which is the collective reward of the "well
lived" life.
Of course, the opposite is also true. People who focus on
how difficult their physical, mental, and spiritual
circumstances are then to see like values emerge --
dissatisfaction, despair, and dissonance.
Esprit is shifting our awareness to look for the joys that
come in small, precious packages. Once we discover those
joys, it is then our privilege to make the most of them.
I definitely recommend looking for the small joys. They
are everywhere. CULTIVATE THIS AWARENESS. Make this your
practice. It is the joy of an exceptionally well-made cup
of tea or coffee. It's the joy of witnessing a sunrise (go
ahead, give it a try and see for youself). It is the touch
of a caring hand, the concern of a loving mate, the
comanionship of a close friend.
So what is the Law of Esprit? A recognition that joy in
life, not length of life, is the true marker by which all
wellness is measured.
How do you measure your life?
Journal Reflection Questions
1. On a scale of 1 - 10, how well have I been living the
Law of Esprit in my life, career, and relationships.
2. Can I list 10 simple joys that I have built into my
every day lifestyle?
3. Do I see any relationship to living the Law of Esprit
and my effectiveness in my life, career, and relationships?
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