February is Heart Month

In acknowledgement of the importance of the ongoing fight against cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved December 30, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has requested that the President issue an annual proclamation designating February as "American Heart Month."

How appropriate that on February 1st, 2006, the first day of "Heart Month" in the US, I was leaving the hospital after having three mild heart attacks (for that story, click here).

My wonderful staff where I am principal gave me some baloons and two wonderful books, Total Heart Health for Men, and The Healing Connection, both of which I am looking forward to reading.

I have read the first chapter in Total Heart Health for Men and it brought up a "theory" that many have tackled under various names. In this day of self-help books (not all are bad) Total Heat develops the idea that we need to not only take care of our physical heart, but our spiritual one as well.

I think this is a very important thing to remember. What use are we if we are taking care of our physical heart, but ignore our spiritual heart. And, likewise, why would we intentionally harm our physical heart if we are already spiritually one with God?

The mere fact that we exist is a tremendous gift from God. What do we do with other gifts we receive from loved ones or friends? Do we abuse them, break them, ignore them? No, we cherish, nurture, and protect them. Why should it be any different with our bodies - with our hearts?

They say the worst non-smoker is a reformed smoker. I would say that the best kind of health conscious person is one who has been given a second chance - one who focused on being healthier in mind, body and soul.