The Promise and Principle

The Creation Health Breakthrough: 8 Essentials to Revolutionize Your Health Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually
by Monica Reed, M.D., Donna K. Wallace, MTS

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The Promise

He who enjoys good health is rich, though he knows it not.

Italian Proverb

Real Life

To better understand what I mean by a health breakthrough, let's take a closer look at the word "life" itself. From the Greek language we find two words, which translate into the English word "life." The first word, bios, means "physical life." This where we get our word "biology." It refers to all the cells and chemicals working together so our bodies don't die; in other words, "the physical state of being." Much of our attention and money is spent focusing on bios. Still, we know life encompasses much more than merely surviving or caring for this body. We are designed for much more. We must consider the element of life that reaches beyond survival.

"The answer we're looking for," writes Bill Ewing in his book Rest Assured, "is found in the other Greek word for life - zöe - a word which carries a much deeper and mystical meaning than bios. Zöe speaks of that life which reaches beyond the physical and is found at the core of who we are. It is the internal motivator that keeps us pushing forward each day. It is what we use to define who we are, why we do what we do, and why we have value. Zöe life is what makes our biological bios Me worth living, giving us direction, vision, purpose," 1 otherwise known as full, abundant health.

Now that we know the full definition of what it is we're looking for, we can ask the question, "Why do so many fitness and health plans fail?" Forgetting our internal motivator - our desire for zöe life - most other programs focus only on external bios needs. If you're confused about all the different health plans available, be encouraged. You are holding the guide to the health breakthrough you've been searching for.

I want to share a health plan with you as natural as breathing. If you follow it, your vitality will increase, your spirits will be lifted, your relationships will be more vibrant, and you'll reverse the course of the Lifestyle Disease.

Add Life to Your Years and
Years to Your Life

Recently National Geographic published the results of a study conducted with three groups of people who live significantly longer lives. For the cover story, writer Dan Buettner interviewed more than fifty centenarians (men and women one hundred years of age or better). The article, entitled "The Secrets of Long Life," focused on longevity all-stars from three groups: mountain villagers in Sardinia, Italy; Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California; and island dwellers in Okinawa, Japan.

According to the article, all three of these groups "produce a high rate of centenarians who suffer a fraction of the diseases that commonly kill people in other parts of the developed world, and enjoy more healthy years of life. In sum, they offer three sets of 'best practices' to emulate." What are these best practices? The key habits practiced by all three groups include: putting family first, being active every day, no smoking, eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and keeping socially engaged.* Buettner notes, "A long, healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits. If you adopt the right lifestyle, experts say, chances are you may live up to a decade longer." 2

The Principle

Safeguard the health of both body and soul.

Cleobulus

"As a scientist," says Dean Ornish, MD, "I live in a world of data, numbers, and randomized controlled clinical trials. Scientists believe what can be measured - blood pressures, cholesterol, blood flow . . . while anecdotal evidence - in other words, stories - is viewed with suspicion."3 I would have to agree. Though this is true in the professional world, it is only half of the picture. Ornish continues, "As a physician and as a human being, I live in a world of stories. Our lives are unique, yet in the telling of stories we learn what makes us similar, what connects us all, what helps us transcend the isolation that separates us from each other and from ourselves."4

Principles from the Garden

I love Ornish's quote, because it lends truth as we turn to one of the best-known stories that connects us all ... the Creation story. Found in the first three chapters of the book of Genesis - the Book of Beginnings - this story is valued by three of the world's largest faiths (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity) as revealing the origins of mankind. According to the story, the Creator formed the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. Part of his Creation plan included the planting of a garden where the first man and woman would live. This garden home was named Eden. Paradise.

The Garden of Eden story itself is quite brief, yet in its three short chapters we find powerful principles given by a Creator who fashioned an ideal setting for all living creatures. It's in this environment that the first human beings were meant not only to survive, but to thrive.

In this book, I'll tap into the wisdom found in the Garden. I'll draw on elements found within this story to derive eight timeless principles of health and well-being. I realize that for some readers this may seem rather odd. Why explore ways of achieving optimal health today based on wisdom found in an ancient spiritual text? One reason only: because what we find at Creation, and specifically in the Garden of Eden story, continues to be validated by scientific research as being the key to living a long, healthy, disease-free, and joy-filled life. Science will not be sacrificed. Medical research will validate each concept as we approach a model for health based on these timeless principles.

Copyright © 2007 by Monica Reed, M.D.

About the Author

Monica Reed, M.D., is the senior medical officer of the largest admitting hospital in America, directing the daily operations of two thousand physicians at Florida Hospital in Orlando.

Donna K. Wallace, president and founder of Mere Images, Inc., has coauthored and collaborated on fifteen inspirational and health-related books.