Friendship

     Friendship is the "special sauce" that makes the Daniel Plan work! That is the main point of this chapter, and the point can't be overstated. I think most will agree: in today's fast-paced world where more and more of our work and social lives are centered around electronic media, I think we are often becoming isolated. Finding time to get together with friends seems to be something that gets harder and harder as I get older.  

       Overcoming isolation is a challenge but it is not impossible. In the book, Pastor Rick offers a radical suggestion: approach somebody at school or work and ask them to exercise with you! Outside your comfort zone? Probably. Welcome to your new comfort zone! If you really want to get healthy and take off pounds, doing it with others is the way to go. 

      I love the story in the beginning of the chapter about Huntington, West Virginia: the "Fattest City in America" according to the CDC.  As the author explains, a pastor in a large church sought to change this statistic: and he did it! He did it through working with the community, one person at a time, and then reaching out to others. 

    Being a health care provider, I also loved the story about a doctor changing the health of communities in extreme poverty through getting people to come together in groups and help one another become healthier. We can each do that: reach out to others in our own communities and work together on principles from the Daniel Plan!

    How about the part about health and illness both being contagious?  Who you hang out with determines your health? Wow, what an eye-opener! It really does mean that if we follow a healthy lifestyle, we are likely to influence those around us to do the same. How awesome is that?  Love and intimacy are powerful medicines: more powerful for reversing disease than the most sophisticated drug. So let's all take the time to follow this prescription: 

Find more love, friendship and intimacy in your life!

    Another point not to be missed: Love is God's greatest commandment. All throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to love and help one another. There is probably no greater act of love we can give for ourselves, our God and each other than to help ourselves and others around us get healthy. 

I am so encouraged by this!

So I would like to reach out to everyone reading here: I want to help you be more healthy in your life. How can I do that? I'd love to have you join us on our weekly walks Sunday evening. Is there another night someone would like me to meet with them to walk? A class you'd like me to come with you to? I will be sharing some more recipes and exercise tips over the next few weeks. I have signed up for Local Fare North: a delivery service that brings a bag of locally grown fresh fruits and veggies each week to my door. I will be writing about this experience. I like the story in the chapter about the women who met regularly to fix healthy foods together and bring them home to their families. I'd be happy to try this out if anyone is interested. 

Let me know! See you all Sunday....