To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
– Gautama Buddha,’The Enlightened One’

It has been eight months since my last self-assessment. Over the last eight months, I have experienced steady improvement in my physical conditions, which is mainly attributed to regular exercises and a healthy diet. Tae Kwon Do has become an indispensable part of my life, and I am impressed by the pace of my own progress: I am a blue belt now. I have explored the effect of several more herbs and incorporated several new foods into my diet.

Through the exercises and my daily self-observation, I am more and more convinced that the strength of the mind relies heavily on the strength of the body. I cannot think clearly nor fully when I am tired or when my body does not function properly. Besides thinking, fatigue and any malfunction of the body also affect the emotional stability. Anger and impatience, cynicism and pessimism can kick in if I am not watchful enough. To guard against those negative emotions and thoughts, proper rest and self-awareness are vital. In a word, the brain cannot work without a working body.