The best gift you can give to others is a healthy self. Health, of course, shows up in multiple arenas: spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, relational, financial… and any other “…al” that I may have missed.

Here’s the truth… if all you have is a worn out self you won’t be much help to anyone. Seriously, if you are bitter, sick, in debt, and depressed what are you going to bring to the table? (By the way… I’ve been these things so I know what I’m talking about).

You can bring something to the table though. You can be healthy and help others, the catch though is that in order for you to be healthy you must assume responsibility for yourself!

Your body is your responsibility. Your mind is your responsibility. Your emotional well-being is your responsibility. Your finances are your responsibility. You are your responsibility.

The essence of being an adult is accepting responsibility for yourself. Children wait on others to meet their needs (e.g. feed me… clean me… come when I cry… dress me… pay for me… clean up my mess…). Adults take responsibility for meeting their own needs (though often this assumes reaching out to others it always starts with the adult taking the initiative… not waiting for someone else).

If you want things to change in your life take responsibility and do something. If you want to give others a great and valuable gift, give them the gift of a healthy you!