He thinks there are 5 essentials to maximized living and they are:
- Avoidance and Reduction of Medications.
- Maximum Nerve Supply (this would be through chiropractic care, making sure that you have no subluxations.)
- Quality Nutrients.
- Optimum Oxygen Levels and Lean Muscle (this comes from exercise ~ leading an active lifestyle.)
- Peace of Mind and Strong Relationships.
I found what he said to make a lot of sense and I especially appreciated that he tied everything back to God and the reason that we want to be healthy and live well is for Him.
Here are some quotes from the book I really appreciated:
"Pregnant women always say they are eating for two. I always say I am eating for three:
- God
- The people I love and serve.
- Me ( I do like to look and feel my best.)"
If you just eat healthy because you want to look good, you can easily get discouraged, but if you eat healthy for a higher reason than that, for instance taking care of the body that God made, wanting to be able to serve God to the best of your ability and being able to be a better wife and mother, that will be far greater motivation.
He also talks a lot of our need to have a mission, a purpose.
"It is hard to imagine someone on a mission chronically unhappy and in need of mood-altering medication. The phrase "on a mission" conjures up an image of someone fired up, energetic, and ready to take on the world. It certainly doesn't paint a picture of someone depressed, fatigued, and hunched over on a bar stool or in a medical waiting room."
"Anytime you life's focus turns to serving yourself, you will find that you are highly susceptible to a lack of motivation, disorder, and sometimes even despair. But when you choose to focus your energy on your mission -your duty to serve others- you will quickly watch mood elevate along with your energy and enthusiasm.
"The discipline of doing work that serves your mission sounds tough. Many people look at guidelines for living as a lawful, dry and boring existence. But they are not. Far from it! The life that is inspired by and obedient to God is the blessed life. It is a life that goes beyond simple happiness into an inner sense of peace and fulfillment. It the embodiment of Maximized Living."
He talks about Maximized living in a minimized-living world. He talks of the need for people with integrity and principles. I appreciated this list.
"Principled men and women are those who
- trust in and rely on their bodies' own resources first for getting and staying well.
- cannot be bought at any price.
- are conscious of how they treat their bodies.
- do what is right, not what is expedient.
- are honest in every transaction, no matter how big or small.
- make decisions that always take into account the well-being of others.
- look for a way for everyone to win.
- believe God is always watching their steps.
- see past what is important in this world and into what is important in God's world.
- never pay their expenses at the expanse of others.
- passionately desire to be successful in their missions but will not use deception, cunning or other people to get there.
- do not fear rejection, failure or swimming upstream against popular opinion.
- are willing to do what has never been done.
- are inspired to consistently do God's work.
- are faithful and hopeful.
- are uncompromising in their leadership.
- are willing to endure hardships and the tests of time and do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to see their missions accomplished.
- put God and family before absolutely everything.
That list reminds me of Psalm chapter 15 which the kids and I have been memorizing. It says:
A psalm of David.
"1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken."