One of the greatest gifts any person can receive is validation and recognition for who and what they are. In our lives, we have all encountered many people who have either been a blessing or, unfortunately, a lesson. Time gives us all the allocation of wisdom, growth, tremendous joys and often some letdown, reflection and even pain. There are seasons to our lives that are unknown and uncertain. There is a passage of scripture found in the book of Ecclesiastes that states, “there is a time and a season to every purpose under heaven”. This both includes good times as well as bad; times of prosperity and those of lack.

I have often said that despite the world’s value system, precious jewels and priceless commodities are not what we should choose to honor or value the most–but life and the gift of time. It’s easy to recognize value and worth when tragedy, destruction and devastation are present. But making the choice to honor, celebrate and make known a person’s meaning in your life is something we should never delay or shortchange because we do not know when time will stop for them.

I remember the morning my mother left this present life. As we were driving down Pacheco Blvd headed home, I started laughing out loud, and my sister turned and looked at me and asked what I was laughing at. I responded that my entire world has just been devastated and changed, but life goes on. People are still going in and out of stores, pumping gas, but it feels like time has literally stopped for me.

Our last 3.5, almost 4 years now, of encountering something most of us never expected to see in our lifetime — COVID; a pandemic that has brought many changes and challenges but more than that has brought an awareness. That time is short. Therefore, maximizing the one and only life here in this present world will take focus, discipline and intention.

You see, when the sea is calm, there is no reason to be concerned. However, we can be proactive and preventative and live our best lives now. As a health coach and lifestyle advocate, I encourage you all to pay attention to your health, do your preventative care and remember that there are consequences to all our choices. We must all take the time to invest in our wellness. Health coaches and lifestyle advocates are equipped and trained with skills to help their clients achieve and maintain good health, and to also understand the science behind behaviors mostly based on experience and life lessons. Their primary focus is on helping you preserve and maintain a sound health, mind, body, and soul and to introduce and prevent illness.

I offer to you these weekly tips: drink at least 7-8 cups of water daily, get some form of daily exercise in and manage your stress by doing deep breathing exercises, taking a yoga class, or extreme alternative holisitc natural care to allow your body to reset. Here is to empowering yourself! KreaTive ChanGes is a form of health and wellness to go beyond traditional medicine. Here’s to living your best life!

Lisa Roper-Parolise

Lisa Roper-Parolise, a resident of Los Banos, is an author, life coach and owner of KreaTive ChanGes (#Kreative ChanGes).