As individuals, we often manage to disregard our attitudes to the way we live. How do we live? Yet we go on to question our misfortune when we inevitably gain a little more weight or get just that little bit less in an exam. Little actions like picking McDonalds over the home cooked food or soda over water contribute to the momentous change that is inevitable. This is simply not a misfortune! We must learn to claim responsibility for our actions and the impact they have on us. Our actions determine our own future, so it is time to claim our future by changing the way we live; changing our bad habits. The ones that impact us all.
What would happen if we did not change? Simple really. Epidemic followed by epidemic. The obesity crisis would become a larger, world-wide issue as people skip exercise and substitute healthy food for junk food. Issues that we currently face would grow substantially and would quickly overwhelm society with their consequences. We may believe that small actions – unnoticeable to the naked eye and often seeming irrelevant – do not contribute to the scale of the problem. However, we fail to realize that this starts on an individual basis that grows as we collectively fail in our responsibility. The damage will inevitably become gargantuan if no action is taken. Shouldn’t we be more aware of our habits then? Or live to see the ultimate price we will pay in the future.
What would happen if we changed? Firstly, nothing. Contradictory to expectations but change requires constant effort or one of my favorite words, discipline. Even if habits are changed simultaneously on a large scale. The rewards that we will reap, however, could be greater than anyone can predict, making society seem like a utopia. Firstly, health. People would exercise sufficiently and constantly to an extent that mental health would improve in society whilst weight problems would be regulated. There are too many positive personal impacts that exercise brings but unfortunately, we are too eager for the rewards that we often quit before seeing change. So be disciplined and it will help on a personal scale. Then, we can improve our communities and help collectively improve our quality of life. Go help a community center, pick up dropped litter and recycle when possible. So be disciplined and it will help on a community scale. Now envision if everyone embraced positive change. Wouldn’t it be easier to tackle world-wide issues like environmental degradation or war? It would be if everyone contributed. So, stay disciplined and it can help on a global scale. It starts with the little actions. It starts with you.
Healthline, a company focused on informing people on how to improve their lives, states that their research concludes that daily exercise is crucial in the prevention of chronic diseases. It describes helpful habits like a healthy diet, the abstinence of smoking and alcohol consumption from your life can add up to 14 years to a person’s life expectancy. Who would decline another 14 years to their lifetime? It is only agreeable that positive change in habits leads to good outcomes and rewards. So, what is stopping you?
I have recently started to run around 12km daily in preparation for the upcoming football season. Now, you may portray me as sporty and therefore have a good relation and experience with exercise but dear reader, this is far from the truth. Until 11 years old, my BMI meant that I was classified as obese which seeing other people around me playing football and being athletically better, it shattered both mine and my parent’s hearts. Even when I went to go train at my local club, no fitness training could get me into the shape I wanted; that being fit and not round. So, I decided to change. Now that I look back, the largest factor for me was my diet. I can only believe that I have a slower metabolism than most because I put on weight fast but that did not deter, only motivate me. Throughout these past years, I have only seen positive changes in my fitness levels, and I would go as far as saying that I have saved my own life. Now I look to chase my dream of becoming professional and only have myself to thank and myself to keep going. My dear reader, change is achievable. The discipline you must have to achieve this may scare and intimidate you but when you look back on your past, you will have nothing but positive pride in yourself.
So, what can you do about this? Your first thought is imperative to start your change. Motivation will only get you so far until the cold hard discipline is what you require to keep going on your own personal journey. So, some advice. It is better to start changing your habits now. Now is the time to salvage your success. Take it at your own pace and with time, the rewards will be right there as promised. You will have to remember that these will come with time. We can make the world a better place, but it starts with you. So, as my favorite influencer says, “stay hard”
Carlitos
Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) International Institute
RJ4All Europe – Cyprus office
