Posted by Breanne Smedley | 

Yesterday marked the start of a new semester, which means new classes.

And this semester, I am teaching health after a two year hiatus involving maternity leave and returning back to work after having Charlee.

It was kind of an odd feeling, standing at the front of a room with 36 pairs of eyeballs staring back at me, waiting.

I’m used to commanding a large gym full of students moving around.

Not having kids sit, quietly.

"This is the most important class you’ll take in high school." I started.

Bold, I know.

For the English, Math, Science, Foregin Language, and History teachers…back down for just a second.

Let me explain.

Like I shared with my students yesterday, our health is the foundation for everything.

It encompasses more than just exercising and eating well.

Our physical health.

Mental health.

Emotional health.

Social health.

Our mindset and how we view stress, challenging situations.

How we feel about ourselves.

The confidence we have that impacts our ability to take risks in life.

The habits we create daily that lead to our results and happiness.

Without good health, we are only a fraction of who we could be.

Of what we could accomplish.

It’s our health and well-being that propels all the other knowledge forward.

Provides the fuel and energy for us to amplify whatever we want in life.

"What do you want in life?" I asked them, rhetorically.

"Who do you want to be?"

"What do you want to accomplish?"

Many of us don’t know the answers to these questions, yet.

I told them, for me, my greatest purpose in life was revealed two years ago.

When I became a mom.

And in order for me to be the best mom possible, I have to prioritize my health.

Then I need to be the best version of myself.

Expectancy stats reveal that life expectancy is dropping.

Cancer, and diabetes are on the rise.

Mental-health related illnesses continue to impact those younger and younger.

Anxiety. Depression. Suicide.

How can I fulfill my role as a mom to Charlee, if I’m not around? If I’m sick?

Living at 40% capacity?

What good is it to "have it all?"

Knowledge, money, the latest and greatest…

…If I don’t have the most important things of all.

Health. Love. Life.

We have got to start taking better care of ourselves.

Stop neglecting the body that we were given to travel this life.

It’s why I’m so passionate about teaching this subject.

It’s why I’m starting my fifth round of GRIT next week.

Because life is too short to not maximize every second.