True wellness is making decisions on a daily basis that move you towards the best you can be, and make the world a better place.
After reading Carol Dweck's book - Mindset : The new Psychology of Success (2006) 4 years ago I started to change the way I thought about myself and the world around me. The fixed mindset theory reduces your ability to learn compared to a growth mindset which encourages life long learning, allowing you to move towards your true potential. This concept is very popular in education (my girls primary teachers talk about growth mindset on a weekly basis) and business - the growth mindset is linked to success. Ten years after this book was published people I talk too are questioning what is means to be successful. Our society is faced with some pressing issues, a growing gap between the "haves" and "have nots", over population, pollution, and an environment that is groaning under the weight of profit over protection. There is more appreciation for our communities well-being being intrinsically linked with nature. We need to limit economic growth on earth as it does not have infinite resources. Buchanan and Kern wrote in their 2017 paper "The Benefit Mindset" that a new socially and environmentally focused mindset paradigm was on the rise - this mindset is not driven by individual gain, but it is symbolised by a group of people who believe in "being well" (wellbeing or wellness), and doing good for our world. It is a purpose driven mindset that is turning the definition of success on it's head - not only striving to be the best you can be, but also being the best for the world. I would take it a little further and say to strive to be the best you can be, needing to be happier with less, and get comfortable with uncomfortable. The "benefit mindset" is starting to gain traction but in my humble opinion it is not a new concept. Many of my hero's starting from the famous Chinese philosopher and politician Confucius in 550 BC through to Nelson Mandela preached, practiced, and sometimes died for their benefit mindset. Their mission was making the world a better place for everyone.
Confucius: a Chinese teacher, editor, politician and philosopher. He was known for his popular aphorisms and his models of social interaction and was regarded by many as an enlightened ruler. His real name was Kong Qui and he lived between 551 - 479 BC. His social philosophy was based on the principle of loving others while exercising self-discipline. He believed in the golden rule - "what you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others" (Lunyu 12.2, 6:30). He believed a leader needed to exercise self-discipline to remain humble and treat people with compassion. His main objective of education was to teach people to live with integrity. Even as early as 500 BC this great teacher knew that it was important to educate that people become better by helping others to realise their own potentials. "Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it."
"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
"Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away."
Jesus Christ: Was born in a manger aound the year 0000 and lived to 33 AD before been put to death by the authorities. It doesn't matter whether you have faith that Jesus is the son of God or a madman wandering the wilderness - the fact is he was a kick arse, counter cultural, revolutionary who over 2000 years later has over 2 billion followers. He displayed non-violent resistance (paving the way for future revolutionaries), and fought for the rights of the most vulnerable and shunned within society making him very unpopular with the majority.
"For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?"
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
"Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day."
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor..."
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted."
Marcus Aurelius: was the emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 and made known to popular culture by the movie Gladiator. The last of the so called good emperors and a practitioner of stoicism. Stoicism was the dominant philosophy in ancient Rome. This is a philosophy that emphasised fate, reason, and self restraint. Aurelius believed that philosophy wasn't just to think about, but it should be practised. He journaled daily and his book "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius is widely regarded as one of the greatest texts on Stoic philosophy (Initially it had no title and was known during the middle ages by the title "To Myself"). Stoicism puts real emphasis on "living well", and a person who studies it should also practice it. The Stoics believed that a good character is comprised of four fundamental virtues (cardinal virtues) One of these is justice. A sense of justice needs to be cultivated as it is a positive emotion for the greater good.
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength."
"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."
"Your mind will be like it's habitual thoughts; for the soul becomes dyed with the colour of it's thoughts. Soak it then in such trains of thoughts as, for example: where life is possible at all, a right life is possible."
Mohandas Ghandi was the revered leader of the Indian independence movement in British ruled India. He employed non-violent civil disobedience leading India to independent rule, and inspiring civil rights movements world wide. He stood for easing poverty, expanding womens rights, building ethnic and religious cohesion. Ghandi lived very modestly, ate simple vegetarian foods, and undertook fasting for self discipline and social protest.
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature that more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of humankind."
Martin Luther King Jr. lived between 1929-1968 and was an American Baptist minister leading the civil rights movement using non-violent civil disobedience based on Christian beliefs. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965 for fighting racial inequality. In the final years of his life King fought to end poverty, and was against the Vietnam war.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake."
Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. He was a South African anti- apartheid revolutionary, politician, and widely recognised as the father of the nation, an icon for democracy, and received many honors including the Nobel Peace Prize. He fought for equal rights, and was a socialist; serving as President of the African national Congress from 1991 to 1997. Mandela served 27 years in prison for his stance and was only released due to growing national and international pressure with fears of a civil uprising. After serving as president he declined a second term and focused his actions on fighting poverty, and HIV/AIDS through his charitable Nelson Mandela Foundation.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
"It always seems impossible until it's done."
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
We are all on a journey developing the "benefit mindset". Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is voluntary. Growing up in my view is becoming more selfless, and becoming more conscious of the needs of others. The way life is set up helps us gradually get used to this basic idea. As a baby our needs are completely meet by our carers, then we evolve into a very demanding 2 year old, completely unaware that the world doesn't revolve around our every want and desire. From that point on we need to take others needs into account to become a valued member of society, continuing to develop compassion, and empathy. This process is not only about making the world a better place - it's about allowing us to be happy, joyful, and grow into the person we were created to be. If you have a self centered mindset it will foster a sense of insecurity and fear. Fear leads to frustration, then distrust, which creates anger, then violence. Our world needs more compassion, and less anger and violence. Unfortunately the latter dominates the media.
Richard Davidson is a neuro-scientist who has used imaging of the brain to research a unified theory of the "happy" brain. He has come up with four independent brain circuits that promote our well-being.
1) Our ability to maintain positive states - the fastest way to achieve this state is working on love and compassion.
2) Our ability to recover from negative states - this circuit is independent of the first. It is possible to be good at maintaining positive states but still fall into a negative cascade and have a hard time recovering.
3) Our ability to focus and avoid mind wandering - this circuit is developed with the practice of meditation.
4) Our ability to be generous - it feels so good to be in a position to help others or even watch others receive help.
Davidson shows with his research that we are designed and hard-wired for compassion and generosity. I believe compassion and empathy are unable to be compartmentalised in our lives. We need to be striving to act with compassion in everything we do, and towards all living creatures.
One very simple way we can act more compassionately is leaving animals and dairy off the menu. For years we have all been told that we require meat for protein and milk for strong bones. These statements are marketing driven myths. Humans can survive, and in fact thrive without meat and dairy. The biggest killer of men and women in western civilisation is coronary heart disease, and this is in spite of aggressive drug and surgical intervention. The only diet that has been shown to reverse arterial plaque formation is a plant based wholefood diet with no meat or dairy*. Animal agriculture and intensive dairying is also responsible for environmental degradation, massive green house gas emission, huge water usage +, and animal welfare concerns ^. Reducing your meat and dairy intake will not only make you healthier but also improve the environment so our grandkids will have the ability to enjoy nature as we take for granted now. Nature nourishes the soul - it's time we started to look after nature with more urgency.
Another simple act we can make the world better is invest in people that help those that struggle, and have less. My wife and I like to review our "investment portfolio" every year, and encourage others to put money into non goverment organisations that simply help those that need help. Find an organisation that does good work that resonates with you, and helps bridge the poverty gap (Dr. Lance OSullivan talks about poverty of spirit, opportunity, as well as material possession) then invest in it. There are so many great people out there doing amazing things. The Salvation Army, World Vision, The KIWI family trust, local churches with a community focus, and the Moko foundation are some examples. Set up a monthly A/P (every little bit helps) to invest in a positive change of direction. Helping others helps ourselves feel more human, and connects us all. "The world of the generous gets larger and larger".#
As the Dalai Lama has stated - "the ultimate source of happiness is simply a healthy body and a warm heart....I consider we are all the same as human beings, mentally, emotionally and physically. In order to ensure a more peaceful world and a healthier environment we sometimes point a finger at others saying they should do this or that. But change must start with us as individuals. If one individual becomes more compassionate it will influence others and so we will change the world. If we can all "live out the question" of how to make the world better with daily actions and enhancing habits, then one day we will evolve into the answer. Our mindset needs to change from just looking for internal growth to striving for the benefit of all and everything. So please - start thinking about true wellness, and the future of our planet, our one and only home; for our kids, and grandkids sake. The change starts with YOU.
*Esselstyn CB et al, A strategy to arrest and reverse coronary artery disease: a 5 year longitudinal study of a single physicians practice. Jour. Family Pratice. 1995; 41: 560-568.
^ Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse emissions, more than the combined exhaust from all transportation - Livestocks Long Shadow: environmental issues and options. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Rome 2006.
+ Animal agriculture water consumption ranges from 34-76 trillion gallons annually in the US, and it responsible for 80-90% of the total water usage - "How important is Irrigation to US agriculture?" USDA: Economic Research Service, October 2016
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