Torchlight
Tips: Good Guidance for All!
By
Audrey Muhammad
Would
you like to have a healthier and more joyful life? Did you know there
were 8 great tips that a man of God gave us several years ago that will
absolutely help us have a healthier and happier existence. In 1993, The
Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan wrote, A
Torchlight for America, a monumental book that gave guidance on
Education, Relationship and the economy of America. It also gave a list
of some of the best tips for health and fitness that I have ever seen.
(The book may be ordered at www.store.finalcall.com)
Most
of the tips on eating were based on the book How to Eat to Live, which
explains how eatng the pig/pork “destroys the beauty of the body’s
appearance.” In his “preventive care guidelines,” Minister Farrakhan gives
8 “steps on pages 145-148 of Torchlight for America. (Note: His
words are in quotation marks at the beginning each numbered item below).
- “First, you must pray. You
must let the Author of all existence into your life…it’s prayer that feeds
and strengthens your desire, and desire feeds the will”(145). We
often pray for the car or house we want, but do we pray for the healthy
body we desire. Or do we see it as a ‘lost cause’ or ‘this
is just the way I am.’ God will help give us the
determination. I recently tried a Crossfit Workout which
incorporates using heavy weights for deadlifts, squats and muscle
ups. I was not sure how I was going to get through the workout, but
I found myself asking Allah for strength. It wasn’t that I couldn’t
do the workout, I didn’t initially BELIEVE I could. It felt GREAT
afterwards. Allah(God) says in Surah 40-60, “Pray to me, I will
answer you.” PRAY.
- “Second, you must imbue yourself with
knowledge. You need knowledge. You must not take pride in
what you think you already know” (145). Along with reading new books
and magazines on fitness, I am re-reading How to Eat to Live Book I.
I am finding so many “jewels” of wisdom and guidance that I didn’t
recognize before. Also, one of the BEST nutrition books out there is
the MGT’s new How to Cook book. It is a WONDERFUL
resource. (Student Captain Sister Sandy and her staff are doing a
wonderful job). Knowledge of foods is a wonderful motivator to eat
or stop eating a certain food.
- “Third, strive to eat to live instead
of eating inordinately and improperly in an attempt to deal with stress or
to entertain yourself”(146). One book I read years ago,
the author described overeating
as “an act of violence” upon yourself. Wow…think about
that…stuffing yourself….making yourself so full you are uncomfortable and
even in PAIN. That’s deep. Treat yourself and your body
with, as The Honorable Elijah Muhammad says, “The best food money can
buy.”
- “Fourth, we must exercise….At a
minimum, walking a few miles each day is one of the best forms of
exercise”(147). Walking is an easy, low impact exercise that anyone
can do almost anywhere. It is also a wonderful mood uplifter and
stress reducer along with dancing, aerobics, swimming and other forms of
exercise.
- “Fifth, get rid of your addictions.
That is drugs, alcohol, smoking and extra-marital sex. In Islam, the
religion of submission to the will of God, fasting is prescribed as a way
to cleanse the body, but also as a means of fortifying the will…So try
fasting as a way to build your will so that you can rid yourself of
addictions before your addictions rid the Earth of you”(147). I am
currently working on reducing the sugar in my diet. Sugar is very
additive, is high in calories and weakens the immune system. I
feel a lot better when I am not consuming sugary drinks and food
daily. My energy and spirit is wonderful and I am a
lot “sweeter” when I am “sugar-free. (Smile.)
- “Sixth, get proper rest and relaxation.
Allow your body time to recuperate from the emotional stress and physical
exertion of the day, and to re-energize itself to meet the challenges of
the next day. Relax yourself by breaking your daily routine with
some joyful activity that frees your mind of life’s stresses and strains”(147).
What are some ways to relax? Not getting on Facebook or gossiping on
the phone, but enjoying knitting, playing golf or reading a good book in
the sun, which leads to the next suggestion that the Minister gives which
is to get some sun.
- “Seventh,
you should spend a little time in the sun and communing with nature.
Too much sun is not good for you. But limited exposure to the sun is
good for the body…it emits vitamin-filled rays that are absorbed through
the skin, helping the body to defend itself against disease”(148).
It is a wonderful feeling to have “sun-kissed” skin and have the sun
gently warm your spirit and help you obtain Vitamin D.
- “Eighth, and finally, you should make
sure that your and your family get regular dental and physical checkups….You
may feel that these simple guidelines for healthful living are too
restricting and don’t leave you free to enjoy life”(148). Think how
restricting life would be if we had a life-threatening disease we could
have prevented
The Minister has said before that “there’s nothing more
powerful than a made-up mind.” So, make up your mind to get healthier and
happier today. We can do it! May
Allah bless us all with peace, health, wealth, love and happiness.
Get Fit Tip: Replace juices and sugary drinks with water.
(Audrey Muhammad is a fitness instructor, educator and author of
the book, Get Fit to Live: Be your best you! To order her book and get a
free CD, send a $15 money order to Get Fit To Live, P.O. Box 61402, Raleigh, NC
27661.)
