Not very pretty, but still sweet.
Not long ago, my wife was in the garage, getting a beautiful ripe watermelon out of the back refrigerator.
I had actually organized the garage at the beginning of the year, kind of my “start the year off right” project. But with six kids at home (including one who runs a business that requires storage for “supplies”), things can get messy faster than a toddler with a chocolate milkshake in a white carpet living room.
Add in boxes, sports gear, and all the stuff that never quite finds a home, and my two-day organizing marathon seemed like it had never happened.
Anyway, as my wife was hoisting this ginormous watermelon, her foot collided with one of the kids’ basketballs.
I grew up watching Tom & Jerry after school, and this could’ve been a lost episode: Jerry rolling the basketball into place at the exact wrong moment, Tom peeking through his fingers as the watermelon launched forward and met the cement garage floor with a sharp crack.
That evening, we headed to a friend’s house for dinner, battle-scarred watermelon in hand. It wasn’t much to look at: jagged edges, juice pooling in the container, mangled melon chunks. But it was still sweet and worth sharing. In fact, our friends said it made them feel good knowing we were comfortable enough to bring such a not-so-appetizing-looking treat.
Health can be a lot like that watermelon.
You can’t always judge it by the outside.
We live in a culture that invests heavily in outward appearance, and while it’s great to look our best, lasting health is something we build from the inside out.
On the outside, a person might look lean and athletic, but beneath the surface they could be battling an autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, or nagging pain.
Another person may not have the “magazine cover” look, yet because they stay active and intentionally care for their body, their heart is strong, their energy is steady, and their joints move easily because they’re kept in good working order, just like anything you want to last.
When it comes to true wellness, the goal is to be like that watermelon, full of life and vitality inside, even if the outside isn’t perfect.
Three ways to physically keep your “inside” in top shape:
- Feed your cells, not just your cravings: Eat colorful vegetables, quality protein, healthy fats, and drink plenty of water. What you eat literally becomes the building blocks of your tissues, blood, and brain chemistry.
- Keep moving for your heart, brain, and joints: Movement keeps your lymphatic system flowing (your body’s “detox highway”), improves circulation, supports mental health, and prevents stiffness from too much sitting.
- Check your alignment: Your nervous system, the master control for your body, runs through your spine, sending signals to every organ, muscle, and joint. Poor posture, old injuries, repetitive strain, and even over-exercising can create scar tissue that restricts movement and interferes with those signals. Keeping your spine aligned and reducing scar tissue buildup helps restore smooth communication between brain and body so everything works as it should.
While it’s nice to look our best, lasting health is built from the inside out and it shows in how you wake up, move, and enjoy life… in the steady energy you have, the strength you feel, and the resilience you build over time.
So the next time you see a “perfect” picture of health, remember the outside doesn’t tell the whole story. What matters most is how you’re doing on the inside. And if you’ve got a few cracks, that’s okay. You can still be sweet, vibrant, and full of life.
Have a GREAT weekend!
Dr. Derek ‘Bring-it-Anyway’ Taylor
www.drderektaylor.com
(561) 867-1020
P.S.: In just two days, Tuesday, August 12 at 12:00 noon I’m hosting a free webinar:
“How to Get Rid of Your Neck Pain: Without Drugs, Surgery, or Guesswork.”
You’ll learn the hidden causes of neck pain, how posture and scar tissue quietly work against you, and simple, practical ways to start feeling better immediately. I’ll also be joined by the posture pros at Egoscue North Palm Beach, who will share insights to help you overcome your neck pain.
Do the quick neck check:
- Waking up with stiffness or soreness?
- Shoulders rounding more than you’d like at your desk or on your phone?
- Feeling less mobile than you did a few months ago?
- Powering through pain instead of fixing it?
- If that sounds familiar, now’s the time to act.
Call (561) 867-1020 to save your spot or simply reply to this email.
Join us live here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82924515146
