When I was I kid, I loved Halloween! It was a time when I got to hang out with my friends and get tons and tons of candy. What a dream come true! Even now as an adult, I do love any occasion to celebrate and think it is healing to get dressed up and have a party.
Now that I am older and I have made it my life mission to help other people live wonderful lives by having vibrant health, I am not such a fan of the other traditional Halloween element….. the candy. That being said, I still think it is wonderful that so many people find ways to get together and have fun on Halloween.
But why not take it a day further? What I have learned is that on November 1st, the day after Halloween, is an amazing Mexican holiday called Dia de los Muertos, that celebrates family. How fantastic would it be if we could incorporate another holiday celebration around the same time as Halloween?! A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go to a cultural exhibit in Mexico City that talked about the ‘day of the dead’. It explained that on the Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, families celebrated and kept alive the memories of their ancestors.
What an amazing idea to take time for every year! Why wouldn’t we want to honor and remember those people that contributed to the quality of our lives today? The people that we love are the most important part of our lives. We need to honor them even after they have passed. It also provides a helpful reminder that we have to live our lives right now to the fullest.
Our health is the one thing that allows us to enjoy our family members: spouses, siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren. When it comes down to it, the most important things in life always revolve around family, community and our health.
I think the holidays give us a chance to evaluate what is important to us and allow us to create traditions for fun, healthy living with those we love. So the question is – is your health where you want it be so you can enjoy the holidays and family?
Are you able to celebrate with your family and create memories? Or do you need to make your health a priority, so you won’t be one of the ancestors being celebrated because you didn’t take care of your health soon enough!
To Your One Sweet Life,
Dr. Dae