A friend and colleague was reading my biographical sketch the other day as I edited material for my soon-to-be-updated website. She thought I should translate a Latin phrase I included that explains something of my personal philosophy: mens sana in corpore sano. She's right, and here is the translation: a sound mind in a sound body. It's something I've tried to live by for many years, and the older I get the more valuable I believe the saying to be.
A sound mind is one that remains inquisitive and open to new information, that is prepared and grounded with sound values to ensure good judgment. It means listening to varied viewpoints and developing discernment for valid evaluation. It includes reading from a variety of sources, newspapers to novels, and conversing with other people without fear of contrary opinions being expressed. It's all about the input; what we allow to enter our minds, and the filters of evaluation we develop over time to make sense of it all. A sound body means we treat our bodies with the respect they deserve, taking care of this God-given gift in a variety of ways. Like with the mind, that means we watch the input. Excess food and drink cause physical problems of many kinds. Witness the obesity epidemic we have in the US today and its attendant issues like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and circulatory problems. Excessive alcohol has been the cause of millions of deaths from drunk driving, in addition to liver disease and a host of other concerns. Soft drinks aren't off the hook here with their exorbitant amounts of sugar! But a sound body also means output, as in the output of energy, and that means movement. Running, walking, biking, hiking, and my personal favorite, weight training. I've lifted weights since high school (yes, a very long time ago) and still go to the gym four days a week. My days of 400 lb. squats are over, but 225 is still easy and my knees have never been stronger. I do a variety of cardio exercises and I have goals for this part of my life as with any other.
Where do you find the time, I'm often asked. I don't find it, I make it, just like we all make time for the things we do every day. A bonus for me is the mental acuity benefit, and my family will attest to the fact that my mood stays more positive when I'm consistent in my workouts. And I rarely need any help moving heavy things around the house. Downside? You've probably guessed who gets called when there's something big and heavy to move in someone else's house. That's OK.
You may have variations on what it means to have a sound mind in a sound body. There's no one or best meaning, but what matters is believing this to be important, essential even, and then taking action. The results are gratifying, and the process itself is immensely satisfying as you gain new appreciation for life and all it can be, indeed, all it should be.
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