We have all heard the saying, you are what you eat. Endless jokes have been made about that statement but we also recognize that there is a lot of truth in it. You cannot have a healthy functioning body if you only eat “junk" food or have a very limited number of foods that you like. I have been amazed that the younger generations (I’m definitely not a younger generation) have a very limited number of food that they will eat. And their parents don’t seem to care or help them develop good eating habits. Yet when they kids are over weight they want to sue McDonald’s. Give me a break!

Let’s get back on topic. Since we agree that the statement has truth to it then it follows that we are what we think. John Stott has said, “Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny." We will become the product of our thinking.

Seven areas for great thoughts:

1.Think great thoughts about God. Or, whoever you consider to be that ‘higher power.’ Unless we have an understanding that there is Someone outside the realm of earth who created everything we see and us we will tend to think that we are in charge of all this. To me it would be impossible to believe that these balanced laws in the universe that can sustain life on this planet with it vast diversity of creatures and plant life could somehow just be an accidental mixture needed to create life. Trying to wrap your mind around the implications of an eternal creative God lifts your whole thinking processes.

2.Think great thoughts about yourself. There is no shortage of people who will criticize you and put you down. There is no shortage of people who will call you all kinds of names. There is no shortage of people who want you think that you are not a worthwhile person. They think that if they can put you down they will somehow be lifted up. So, you need to think great thoughts about yourself. You have all the talents and abilities that are needed to live a success, fruitful and fulfilling life. However that gets defined for you, you can have a great life. If you don’t think great thoughts about yourself, who will.

3.Think great thoughts about others. Once you grab on to number 2 the next thing is just to extend that to the people around you and those you come in contact with. It is possible to always expect the best from others.

4.Think great thoughts about life. Life is not about accumulating all the toys. Life is about using your talents and abilities. Life is about becoming the best that I can be in whatever it is that I love doing. That is when you will find satisfaction and happiness in this life.

5.Think great thoughts about your future. Somehow along the way young people have lost hope in the future. They are not sure the future is worth waiting for or participating in. But you have to think great thoughts about your future, your life, your tomorrows. Then you will have hope for tomorrow.

6.Think great thoughts about your past. Too many people are thinking thoughts that cripple them for today and tomorrow. They blame the past rather than learn from it and let the past be the past.

7.Think great thoughts about challenges. All too often we allow the difficulties that come into our lives to stop us dead in our track. We say, if only that had not happened I would be …. We get mad at people, things, events and we’ll even get mad at God. We need to get to the point where we will look at a difficulty with eyes that see through it on to a great future.

Your reality is a result of your thoughts. Look at your life and see what level you are living on. Then ask yourself what you have been thinking about. Change the level of your thinking and you’ll change the level of your life.

Julia Packman has thought great thoughts about their business which is a newly renovated gym, new equipment, affordable fees, massage therapy, juice bar, knowledgeable staff and trainers, personalized programs for individual members, etc. You are invited to check this out at myspace com/annexif .

James Heller