All too often we put our own needs aside in the name of helping loved ones, only to later find we’ve shortchanged everyone involved-ourselves included. That, sometimes, is the name of the game in America-an oxymoronic message of getting ahead through Capitalism, then making up for it with an almost martyr-like zeal. And many of us, myself included, had or have bought into the system.
Some run themselves to exhaustion in an effort to put their kids first. Others practically drop dead from overwork, ironically relinquishing precious family time to feed a constantly famished monster called privilege. Still others consistently “do” for those we love-whether from a lack of ability to say “no” when necessary, or because we truly believe taking action will help empower, when in actuality it robs those we love of the opportunity to relish responsibility.
Alas, all is not lost, as contained within our desire to help also is the ability to transform.
Selfish is the new Selfless
This is also why “Permission to be Selfish,” holds such value. It’s a seemingly narcissistic statement that truly can help us regain power, create direction, and develop a sustainable source of renewed energy. By ensuring the health and replenishment of self, we foster resources to give back to community, family and-however daunting-to the world.
By realizing the force of our individual powers, each of us can make a choice to create everlasting change. Looking inside to make that realization, and the subsequent change it creates, can have a profound effect on all those we touch.
Change for the Better
That’s the message of Golden, Colo. native Bill Phillips. As a bestselling author, self-made millionaire and worldwide thought leader, Phillips seemed on top of the world.
After selling the nutritional supplement company he headed–Experimental and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as EAS, Phillips continued to pursue writing, speaking and philanthropic endeavors. His books “Body-for-LIFE: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength;” “Body for Life Success Journal;” and “Eating for Life: Your Guide to Great Health, Fat Loss and Increased Energy!;” were tremendous successes, consistently landing Phillips on the New York Times Bestseller list and garnering tremendous accolades including his being called “the most successful fitness author of all time.”
Though Phillips’ advice was sought by the likes of world-class athletes and famed celebrities, it didn’t take long for him to realize something was missing. After trying personal times, including the passing of his father, Phillips endured a period of depression and began to develop harmful behaviors.
“Having grown up in Golden around Coors beer, I had some unhealthy habits myself,” he admits, referring to an increasing affinity for the City of Golden’s famous barley nectar. “After 40 years of bumps and bruises, I was going down an unhealthy path. When you’re brought to your knees with adversity, its very humbling, and I’m really grateful I went through it. You come out the other end a stronger person.”
“I spent a decade in the mainstream health and fitness world, wrote ‘Body for Life,’ and if you continue along that path there’s some things that don’t add up,” he lamented. “I really believe there’s a transformation of consciousness or awareness, and I believe that’s what it’s about.”
Phillips spent ten years traveling to the world’s most sacred places and integrated what he learned with his passion for helping others. The result: A program he calls “transformation,” along with an audacious goal to “transform the nation from worst to first [in health and fitness] within our lifetime–ideally in 10 years.”
He wanted to get the root of America’s issues instead of just dealing with symptoms. And just like Oprah Winfrey’s television protégé, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Phillips believes the ultimate prescription for health care reform in America is to create a system that empowers the individual to be responsible for his or her own health and well-being.
“Get on the diet, get off the diet, they call it yo-yo [dieting] but that’s a toy. This isn’t funny. Lifetime renewal has to be a priority for your whole life. I don’t think the mainstream recognizes it that way so we keep trying to attack it with short term approaches not sustainable ones,” he warned.
Focused Vision
Using his 20 years of combined fitness experience and holistic research, Phillips created Bill Phillips’ Transformation Challenge–an 18-week program that includes an exercise and nutrition plan designed to reduce body fat, gain strength and increase energy. It also goes beyond the body, integrating one action step each week in order to increase emotional well-being, mental clarity and spiritual awareness.
Phillips will release a book this summer called “Transformation,” which provides step-by-step guidance through the process he’s developed. Individuals will be supported through an extensive website-www.transformation.com-which currently is available, for those itching to get started. The website is free of charge and full of resources including videos, downloadable MP3 recordings, streaming radio programs and more. Participants receive emails with weekly challenges designed to provide inspiration and foster growth. Written assignments-based on digging deep into the inner world– empower and educate so individuals can succeed. True to its 21st Century mission, participants can even choose to have uplifting program-related text messages sent to a cell phone.
Each of the 18 weeks addresses everything necessary for true transformation-starting from the inside. From personal environment, to negative habits, developing community, creating positive mindset, importance of spirituality, personal responsibility, creating intention and more-each lesson intends to help participants create lasting change.
“Making a change and making a difference is what matters to me so I practice the universal law of reciprocation, which is that you put others first, you create value for other people and in return they create value for you,” shared Phillips.
“I think the thing really is that people deserve to have a good healthy life and most people are closer to that than they think. They are closer than they imagine actually and there’s a way, not one way, but a way to get there. We’ve got to keep the hope going because there’s every reason to be happy about this. It’s very real work, very real changes too.”
So take the time to make the change. Give yourself permission to be selfish-because by making the time to do the work inside, we can effect change not only in ourselves, but in our world.
Doni Luckutt is a writer, author and speaker who believes by increasing interpersonal connection, we can stop simply living, and become Simply Alive! If you have a suggestion on what brings you to life, connect with her on Twitter @SimplyAlive, via email Doni.Luckutt@SimplyAliveWorld.com or on her blog: www.SimplyAliveWorld.com/Blog.
