Options and Choices

by Sam Suska

During the previous posts, begining with "The Rationale for Holistic Self-'Care" and "The Basic Functions" the actions of thinking and choosing have been profiled. The basic function of thinking employs a thought process while the basic function of choosing follows by taking action.

The thought process determines options to fulfill and perform the other basic functions, while the choosing process selects an option and takes action. The thought process can be rational or irrational with one of two possible outlooks; either positive or negative. The thought process simply presents options to the character, which makes a choice and takes action. The thought process and character are largely operations of the mind with signficant input from the body and spirit.

The interactions of mind, body and spirit is always taking place in all of the basic functions; this includes thinking and choosing. The body, specifically the gut contains more neurotransmitter receptors than the brain, of which tissue is largely composed of omega 3 fats. The foods and drinks we put into the gut with the basic functions of eating and drinking lead right to the brain; observe the cycle of thinking-choosing-eating-drinking. We make choices of what to eat and drink and those choices in turn play a role in the following thought process by making our neurotransmitters and tissues composing the brain.

In addition to neurotransmitter receptors and absorbing omega 3 fats for the brain, the body also sends signals to the mind which affect thinking and choosing. These signals include apetite, cravings and general urges to which the mind interpets and responds. The thought process takes these into account, and when rational with a positive outlook it will present many good options to the character, which is now more likely to make good choices. However, when the thought process is irrational and negative the mind is more likely to present poor options and the character is more likely to make poor choices.

The top 4 selling products in America are sugar, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol; all of which are very psychoactive and addictive. The holistic self-care lifestyle includes limiting, reducing and eliminating the foods and drinks which compose these powerful 'stressors'. In addition, glutenous foods like wheat products along with all dairy products and animal foods are also avoided with holistic nutrition due to the damage they inflict to the gut which negatively affects the absorption of neurotransmitters, omega 3 fats and a multitude of other necessary nutrients. These foods and drinks negatively impact the thought process and outlook and lead to food addictions and cravings the individual may largely be unaware of, but initiating a cycle of imbalance between the mind, body and spirit which leads to poor choices and 'challenged' health status.

The spirit also plays a role in the basic functions of thinking and choosing. The spiritual state desires peace and contentment for optimal function; these are even-keel feelings. Conflict and extremes disturb this desired state of balance which initiates a cascade of effects impacting the thought process and character. Emotions like dissapointment or nervousness are conflicting, while sadness and excitement are extremes that disturb the states of peace and contentment. Responding to emotions with over-eating, over-exercising and other forms of self-abuse like binge drinking and drug use are generally initiated from a 'challenged' spiritual state.

In "The True Health Lifestyle: Guide to Holistic Self-Care", I detail the interactions of mind, body and spirit and how they relate to health and well-being. I elaborate on the thought process and choosing process and how choices made by the character, with input from the mind, body and spirit determine the present state of health for most individuals. When the majority of choices are made with a commitment to nourishing the whole 'being' the basic functions will be optimally performed and fulfilled. However, when choices are not made with a commitment a nourishment of the whole 'being', basic functions are neglected and 'challenged' holistic health status begins.

The poor choices, which ultimately result in 'challenged' health status, are made without a commitment to nourishment occur due to 'challenged' conviction . Conviction is the process used by the character in making a choice from the options presented by the thought process. Conviction can be positive, with aim to nourish the whole 'being' of mind, body and spirit with optimal manners and sources of fulfilling and performing the basic functions. However, conviction can be 'challenged', without aim to nourish the 'whole' being.

'Challenged' conviction results in 'challenged' holistic health status which is expressed with chronic diseases or acute sicknesses of the body, chronic and brief disorders of the mind and absence of spiritual relationship. 'Challenged' conviction is the underlying cause of 'challenged' holistic health status and its many expressions; conversely 'optimal' conviction' is the underlying cause of 'optimal' function and its many expressions of health, energy, vigor, love, compassion and leadership.

In "The True Health Lifestyle: Guide for Holistic Self-Care", the manners of 'challenged' conviction are outlined in order to determine strategies for reaching and maintaining 'optimal' conviction and the resulting benefits. The four manners of 'challenged' conviction are proposed, which are generally the underlying causes of the many chronic diseases and persistent mental disorders like anxiety and depression. The four manners are thoroughly examined; with the commonality being they are all made without a commitment to nourishment of the whole 'being'.

The chapter entitled "Challenged Function" presents this perspective and can play a positive role in promoting and guiding institution of holistic self-care. The point of detailing 'challenged' function and its expressions of body health and mental issues is not to judge, attack or convict individuals doing and suffering from problems. The point is to rationally present this perspective to you in order to justify and assist the transistion to a lifestyle of holistic self-care.

"The True Health Lifestyle: Guide for Holistic Self-Care" will be completed during 2010 and published as a means to present what I, Sam Suska, have determined to be a rational, practical and realistic means of self-care. Holistic self-care guides the individual to take control of the underlying causes of 'holistic health status'; the thought process and character which determine options and make the choices impacting the whole 'being'.

With love and sincere gratitude I thank you for reading this article and I hope you read the book I am presently completing; but most important I wish you the best in applying holistic self-care.

For more information about the book and services offered by Sam Suska please view the business website at http://www.truehealthservices.org/ and contact by e-mail at truehealthservices@gmail.com .