Most of us know and have heard the phrase, You are what you eat. However, is it possible that another phrase also applies? You are what you THINK. Yes, it is very possible that this phrase is also an accurate representation of how our perceptions and expectations affect our body and overall health.


We are just beginning to understand how the mind and our beliefs affect out body and how it responds to illness. However there is currently enough documented evidence to prove that the mind does in fact affect our body. The key behind all of these studies seems to be perception or expectation. Those individuals with positive perceptions of an event and positive expectations seem to create that reality while the same seems to be true of those with negative perceptions and expectations.


If we allow for this possibility then we must consider what it is we believe about ourselves and how we feel about the life we are leading. If we have a perception of ourselves and our life that is negative then it will tend to manifest itself eventually in one way or another. This often takes place with people who are unhappy with their life but yet afraid to make changes. When they do not take action the body itself seems to create an illness to bring about the change they seemed unable to do for themselves.


Deepak Chopra has spent numerous years studying this aspect of wellness and I highly recommend that anyone wanting to explore this field of research read his books. The book I have found most helpful is Unconditional Life. He gives many case studies of individuals who were affected either positively or negatively by their state of mind and the perceptions they had of their illness.

We owe to ourselves to be happy and to be hopeful and to expect the best out of life.

We owe it to ourselves to make the most of the time we are given.

We owe it to ourselves to do the things that we fear and take the steps we are afraid to take.


Life is about expansion and when we cease to expand we become stagnant and stagnation eventually brings about death. This usually happens in the inner life first and then it manifests in the physical life.


For example, someone begins to feel bored, apathetic and depressed about life and this will lead to a withdrawal from contact with other people and then soon thereafter the body itself will begin to manifest symptoms.


You must choose to be happy and to expect the best and to believe in miracles. A favorite quote is the following:

"Happiness is a way of travel - not a destination"
--Roy M. Goodman

Ray Kelly

Ray has worked extensively in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years. He has a degree in Exercise Science and is a Level 2 Strength and Conditioning coach. Ray has been involved in athlete development for the Olympics and world championships for 10 years, also lecturing at coaching accreditation courses.