Mr. Achievement - Stanley F. Bronstein - Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

Law #47

Position Yourself To Be Healthy

Health is not valued till sickness comes. (Thomas Fuller)

Health is worth more than learning. (Thomas Jefferson)

Some Definitions

Health - The general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor. Soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment.

Valued - Highly regarded or esteemed. Having value of a specified kind.

Till - Up to the time of; until. Before. Near or at a specified time.

Sickness - The state or an instance of being sick; illness.

Comes - To arrive at a particular result or end. To arrive at or reach a particular state or condition. To arrive, as in due course.

Worth - To arrive, as in due course. Having aUvalue of, or equal in value to. Excellence of character or quality as commanding esteem. usefulness or importance, as to the world, to a person, or for a purpose.

More - In greater quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number. Additional or further. A greater quantity, amount, or degree. Something of greater importance.

Learning - Knowledge acquired by systematic study in any field of scholarly application. The act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill.

Source: Dictionary.com

Thomas Fuller’s Quote

I have an interesting perspective on comparing the value of health, versus the value of money. As a real estate attorney and CPA, I am paid to help people protect their money and to make more money. In fact, I have seen people become quite protective of their money and quite agitated when they are about to lose it. In fact, I have often maintained that people value their money, MORE than they value their health.

On the other hand, one of my best friends over many years is a doctor. She would get to see the opposite side of the coin. She saw people who were protective of their health and who grew very upset when they were losing it.

We would often how long debates about the value of her work, versus the value of mine. She would maintain that health was everything. Nothing could possibly be worth more. I would maintain that while she might be right, that most people viewed their money as more important UNTIL THEY GOT SICK. I didn’t say they were right for viewing it that way, I simply stated what I observed; that people placed a very large value on their money.

I took the attitude that while health was EXTREMELY important, people often don’t value it until they’ve lost it.

As the famous Joni Mitchell song says: You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

I’m not sure who ever won the debate.

Thomas Jefferson’s Quote

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, suggested that health is possibly the most important thing of all.  If we are not healthy, money means nothing.  If we are not healthy, knowledge means nothing.  Health is a prerequisite to being able to enjoy our lives.

By living in a state of health, we open ourselves up to learn; to help others; to acquire money; to enjoy life.  But, health must come first.

My Recent Health Battle

Anyone who has read this blog in any detail has seen multiple references to my rupturing my achilles tendon in November 2007.  It took me over 7 long months to recover and to be able to stop having to go to doctors.  AND, while I say I am recovered, I would venture to say I am only about 90% recovered.  I still don’t think I’m quite up to taking long hikes yet.  I still have to watch where I walk, as I’m still protective of my formerly injured left leg.

That experience was an eye opener for me.  In my 49 years of life, it was the first time I had ever experienced anything that I would call a long-term issue.  By that, I mean a health issue that caused me discomfort for more than a few days.  It was not a pleasant experience, but all in all I’m pleased with the way things turned out and happy that I am on the mend.

During some of my interviews for my upcoming third book - Achievement IQ Moments - I spoke with many individuals who have had major health issues in their lives.  It just made me feel so fortunate and grateful for what I do have.  Sure I had some inconvenience when my achilles tendon ruptured, but I’m sure there are countless people in the world who would trade places with me in a heartbeat.

So, What’s The State Of Your Health?

Only you can answer this question.  What I am suggesting is that you develop an appreciation for whatever health you currently have AND that you develop an awareness that you need to devote a little bit of time each day toward improving and/or maintaining our own health.

You need to eat properly.  You need to exercise a little bit each day.  You need to relax a little bit each day.  In other words, we need to sit back and enjoy life.  By doing so, we can all acquire and maintain a spirit of health that will serve us for many years to come.