don's report archive

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

Congratulations—You Are A Philosopher!
Saturday October 28, 2000

I have often referred to a wellness lifestyle as a philosophy, a conscious choice to think and behave in a disciplined fashion in order to enjoy optimal health and maximum satisfaction. The other day, I was rather amazed to discover I was right!

What I learned, by virtue of my daily “A.Word.A.Day” message (see http://wordsmith.org/awad/index.html), is that the many definitions of the word philosophy all describe what you probably do as a matter of course in seeking lifestyle artistry, or a wellness lifestyle.

Let me review a few of these ideas. Taken as a whole, they tend to marry a generic term to the attitudes and behaviors described at this site as part of a pattern of optimal living. The result, I think, will convince you beyond any doubt that you are a philosopher! Those who, like yourself, seek a more successful, enjoyable existence via a wellness lifestyle engage in philosophy, thus, we are all philosophers. I think I’ll add that to my resume!

Philosophy is the love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline. Just so in the case of wellness—it is a love of well being and joy in life, and a lifelong quest for the information needed to sustain lofty, challenging ambitions to rise above the mediocrity of normalcy.

Philosophy entails an investigation of causes and laws underlying reality. That’s exactly what a deliberate decision to seek excellence in body and mind requires. It invites a search for principles and pathways to the acquisition of skills in areas such as relationships, humor and play, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and much more.

Philosophy demands an inquiry into the nature of things based on logical reasoning. A wellness lifestyle works best if it is supported by the evidence of science and reason, not anecdotes or unexamined traditions. A wellness lifestyle is more likely to be maintained and constantly improved if it works for the individual, not if it is attempted based largely on faith in a doctor’s advice or at the urging of others based upon their experiences.

As with the meaning of philosophy as science, the beliefs and assumptions underlying a wellness lifestyle are always open to critique and analysis and, as with philosophy, these fundamental beliefs are always subject to further conceptualization and reformulation. That is one of the main attractions of attending the National Wellness Conference each summer—to reassess the fundamentals of wellness based on new findings from experience and testing.

The elements of a wellness lifestyle are all a part of philosophy as a science, including logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics and yes, even epistemology, whatever that is! (Just kidding—this concerns the limits on knowledge.) Wellness, too, entails a system of motivating concepts or principles, theories and viewpoints and values by which a person lives.

So, everyone out there seeking a healthier lifestyle, looking for health in all the right places and making disciplined choices and all of that—you are philosophizing! Enjoy the process and keep learning.

Of course, there is no reason to think that a wellness philosophy has to seem impenetrable, like the writings of so many philosophers whom we found way too deep when first exposed to them in high school! No need to scare people with the idea that wellness requires a brilliant mind, an heroic physical regimen or a ascetic-like existence separate and aloof from a normal life. A wellness lifestyle and yes, a wellness philosophy, is what you make it to be. It is available to all, thus we can all be philosophers.

In summary, the chances are good that your love of good health and an examined, challenging and fulfilling existence leads you to philosophize every day. It also protects against "stubborn entrenchment" with harmful habits and toward a desire for wisdom and an interest in truth as you see it.

Therefore, as a wellness philosopher, continue to enjoy your unique approach to optimal functioning with an openness to many points of view, and continuing good humor and perspective. All the best.

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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