Wellness Is An Inside Job

Remember the scene in the movie “The Wizard of Oz” when Glenda the Good Witch tells Dorothy that she always had the power to go home? That the power never was in the ruby slippers that she was wearing throughout the movie. That was a powerful statement made by Glenda, and it truly shocked Dorothy when she heard those words. All along Dorothy thought the answer was somewhere to be found within the land of Oz, not as simple as something she had all along.

How many times have we done something similar to Dorothy when it comes to how we treat our health and wellness? We buy into the latest trends, buy the books, the products, the memberships. We search for answers to our healthcare challenge outside of ourselves whether it’s to lose weight or simply get in better shape. The reality is that all along the answer really resided within us. We didn’t need all that “extra stuff” to get where we needed to go. Sometimes the answer is in plain sight, and because it is so obvious we can’t see it.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a choice. The first step is acknowledging that we alone have the power to transform our lives for the better. It begins with a commitment to ourselves to make decisions each and every day that align with a healthy lifestyle. We might need a little help along the way too, just like Dorothy with the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow. It may have been quite some time since we’ve exercised, so we don’t even know where to begin. We may not really know how to prepare healthy meals. That’s okay. Finding a place that focuses on wellness care versus disease care is a good starting point. Think of it like those ruby slippers. You need to actually put your feet into those slippers first. Just like you need to take that first step towards your wellness goals. No one has the power but you. No one.