It has been said that creation is the act of bringing something into existence. It is the tangible or observable outcome of the creative process, such as a painting, invention, piece of music, or scientific theory. Creation requires effort, skills, and often materials or tools to transform ideas into reality.
I realize that some of you reading this might remember me from my background of 30+ years in the bodybuilding, fitness, health industry and some of you may not but have followed my substack for a variety of reasons.
With that said, if you know me then this message makes sense and if you don’t then may I share, to keep it simple. that I simply adore all things ‘Faith and Fitness’.
Which leads into this ‘Minutes’ message..
Recently I tuned into a podcast episode from a beloved friend, Joanne Lee Cornish, in this episode she shares this idea:
‘Create the Environment, Not the Obsession’.
Jo’s creative podcasts are easy to listen to and with her lively English accent she provides tried and true valuable information for understanding and developing the physical and making wise body composition choices.
In her presentation she made the argument that if we ‘create the right environment’ inside our body we can be assured of change to our body composition, such as hormone balance, muscle development or lipolysis (the process used to mobilize the stored energy for use by cells).
This concept has been hovering on my mind, and I found myself marveling over the similarities between the physical and spiritual and how they relate and reflect one another.
In this episode of her podcast, Midlife Mayhem, Joanne discusses ‘creating the environment’ and dives into the following idea:
“People aren’t failing because they’re lazy or unmotivated — they’re stuck because they’re overthinking details instead of creating the right environment.
This episode is about simplifying results by focusing on conditions, not perfection.
Results don’t come from obsessing over tiny details.
They come from creating the right environment.
When the environment is right, you get flexibility.
When it’s wrong, perfect execution won’t save you.
Whatever you’re trying to change this year:
Stop obsessing over details
Stop chasing perfection
Start asking one better question:
“What environment do I need to create for this to work?”
Granted it is a wonderful podcast to tune into plus dozens more to binge.. and just so you know, she offers group online programs - maybe you are in need of a body composition tune up- I mean, who doesn’t really? Ha! 😉
Side note: Please forgive my little plug for my friend and her excellent work. We can all learn more about caring for these bodies God has given us to use while here.
Should you decide to join her program(s), please enjoy a little discount with ‘MONICA15’ when you sign up for any of them or with her supplements.
Now, back to my examination of ‘creating the right environment’ while using Joanne’s ideas- on the SPIRITUAL side.
I believe it is safe to say that as an adult we assume full responsibility of the ongoing nurturing/building of our body and spirit.
Even if one rebels against this idea, and takes no action for either, the responsibility of nurturing both body and spirit still fall on us as individuals with little to no other option.
Our childhood, traditions, habits and even emotions/feelings help us to develop a set of methods or standards for these ‘nurturing’ habits we form.
During my 3 decades as a professional athlete, it was imperative that I created the right environment for myself by establishing a degree of intense exercise, nutrition programming and lifestyle habits that would allow me to maintain my career to the highest level.
These standards (the right environment) provided a path for me to maintain my physique at a peak level for many years as a professional competitor, international cover model, and spokesperson for companies.
For many years I ‘created the environment’ where my body could move with explosive ability, remain functional, flexible with mobility and yet still carry plenty of symmetrical muscle for the ‘physique’ part of my industry.
This was the recipe I needed to perform at the level required by my sport, career, modeling, sponsorships and personal goals.
After close to 30 years of competitions from the professional world of fitness & figure stages and competing in the Masters USATF sprinting events I am in a new era of my life… one where the end goal isn’t a medal, award …or another PR.
I am now more than ever interested in building eternal treasures in Heaven and (hopefully) helping others do the same!
To do this with integrity of the heart, I have discovered that the daily environment I create for myself makes all the difference.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
I consider this a maturing of my spirit and honestly some days it is easier and some days harder. However, I find that the more diligent I am to JUST ‘create the right environment’ and place myself inside it, my heart draws closer to Him.
Let’s look back at a quote from Joanne’s podcast..
“People aren’t failing because they’re lazy or unmotivated — they’re stuck because they’re overthinking details instead of creating the right environment.
Truth be told, for me and maybe even you too, creating the right environment for the physical may be the easier part of our day. The part that feels more natural because we are interested in maintaining our health and we understand the importance of this lifestyle as a standard that we unequivocally hold true for ourselves.
Assuming full responsibility of the ongoing building and nurturing of our body.
So, the question remains…
What would be the purpose to create the right environment on the spiritual side?
I can only speak personally… and I urge you, friend, to analyze what your purpose is too.
My desire and purposes:
To grow closer and know Him deeper
To be able to hear Him clearer
To truly UNDERSTAND what it means to abide IN HIM and HIM IN ME
To produce fruit that will glorify Him
Safe to say these are just a few.
So how do I do this you might ask?
First, I must take full responsibility and CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT.
An environment where my spirit can tune in and be joined by His Holy Spirit.
Admittingly, sometimes I DO overthink details instead of just creating the environment.
What does ‘overthinking details’ look like?
This can be as simple as feeling inadequate to pray.
Or maybe it’s believing a lie that you don’t have the ‘right’ words to pray.
Maybe it’s the lie that you don’t know where to read and the Bible is hard to understand.
Maybe it’s as simple as saying “I’ll read later…” and then it doesn’t happen later.. leading to feelings of guilt, lack of joy and peace, or a disconnected feeling that just lingers.
If any of this sound familiar, there is GOOD NEWS friends, this ‘overthinking’ details can be OVERCOME by simply dismissing these lies and JUST START— start by reading His Word.
This is where we start.. simple. Everyday. Even 5 mins will make a difference!
For me, time and time again, if I will just start reading, He is faithful to speak in ways that my ‘spirit’ lines us with His, the `outside clatter of the day silences and I am able to hear His voice.
While reading His Word specific prayers for either myself or others flow through my heart and into my thoughts (soul).
This is also where my soul feels rest and peace …
Where any anxiety leaves and my faith is strengthened.
This is also the ‘environment’ that ideas for this Minutes with Monica Substack flow from. Meaningful conversations, work relationships and communications are developed, and so much more- all while reading His Word. Truly incredible.
The good news is it doesn’t take overthinking details for these things to happen; it just takes creating the right environment!
Check it out… reading His Word CREATES the right environment for our spirit to connect with the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE, the POTENTATE over all creation.
1 Timothy 6:15, states, “the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
He is eternal and unchallenged, as He is NOT limited to earthly authority but possesses dominion over all creation and humanity.
This is WHO we get to commune with friends!!
Back to Joanne’s message… TO BE CONTINUED…
Thanks for tuning in .. the 2nd part will be in your inbox soon!
Live Radiantly … today!
Monica
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