Why Women of All Cultures Must Put Themselves Atop Their Own Health Priority Lists
Jodi Davis
| 4 min read
The author, right, chats with Middle Eastern American TV host Nada Charara.
It really bothers me that so many women aren’t on their own list of priorities, and if they are, they are dead last on that list. It is essential that these women rearrange their priority list, that they take the time to place themselves and their good health at the level of highest precedence.
Why can’t they realize that in the long run they are ultimately harming all the other people they love in their life; that they won’t be the only one who takes the hit? Maybe it’s because they’ve never been given the permission or directly informed that they need to do this. Well, if that’s the case then I’m taking the initiative to give each and every woman out there my personal approval to put themselves at the TOP of their own priority list — I’m telling you to do so, now… immediately.
Back Story
I bring this subject up today because of a conversation I had with some wonderful women this week in Southfield. After an interview for MEA-TV (Middle Eastern American TV) with the lovely Nada Charara, the subject was brought up because of something I had mentioned during the interview: that countless people, the majority of them women, seem to feel as though everything and everyone is more important than they are and because of this, their own good health is placed at the bottom, or not even on the list of life priorities. We discussed how this occurs in many cultures in the United States and around the world.
I don’t like this; in fact, I hate it. Yet I will be first to admit that for a portion of my adult life, I was guilty of doing the exact same thing.
But I realized 11 years ago that if I didn’t put myself at the top of the list, who would? I know that my family has always loved me and wanted me to put myself — and my health — at the top of my own list. They may have even put me up high on their own priority lists. Yet only I could determine where to put myself on my own priority list. That’s when I took out the mental pencil and wrote the name JODI on line number 1.
Do It For Family
At first it was difficult to do. As a parent, we put our children at the top of the list; we love them more than words can express. But this is something you need to really think about: If something detrimental happens to you because you avoid your own needs — especially needs that can affect your good health —it could create a situation where you aren’t even there for those children that you love so much, ever again. (This happened to a relative of mine.)
The list you once had would basically fizzle away. It wouldn’t be in existence any longer. Your family’s priority list would still be there… yet things would be different, and they could only wish that you were still on it.
But that won’t happen to you, right? You will be on their list for a very long time, and… you are going to put yourself on the top of your own priority list today. That means you will take time each day for your good health. You will make sure to exercise at least 22 minutes every day and tell yourself that you deserve this time, it’s yours to own! You’ll also make healthier food choices, even if they cost a few pennies more. You deserve healthy food for the one body that you were given!
Remember, you were once that child who was at the top of the list — why move now that you are an adult? You would never want your child to move him or herself down to the bottom of the list, right? Of course not. So set a good example for them. You can do it — no matter where you live or culture you are accustomed to… you always deserve the best.
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