ife is good. Even the most horrible events are accentuated by the fact that, in general, life is good.

Life's goodness is experienced in the simple pleasures of daily activities. The joy of children and grandchildren, the pleasure of a family meal together, the fun of playing ball, the peace of worship, the comfort of a spouse-all these and many others are tokens of life's goodness.

I remember how, as an adolescent, I struggled with the meaning of life. The Sabbath school teacher's affirmation that we exist "to bring glory to God" did not seem to touch me where I struggled. I wasn't trying to understand God; His glory was not influenced by my trying to burnish it. My concern was Why am I here? Where do I fit in to the order of things? I couldn't imagine how my influence could magnify the glory of a God whose span extended beyond my comprehension. My simple understanding of the universe was enough to know that the whole solar system was but a fleck of dust in the vast universe, so what did my life matter?

This sense of insignificance was disturbing. My friends would say what they thought or believed, and I'd ask myself what difference it made what they thought or believed. Indeed, the late Canadian prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau once asked, "What difference will it make 50 million years from now when the earth is a huge ice ball?" Such nihilism is widespread and is embodied in the expression: "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."

Fortunately, life is progressive, and experience is a great teacher. I celebrate my experience today, experience that has taught me that normal, healthy people love life despite its imperfections. Life is, in and through its sensate awareness, appreciative of contentment, peace, satisfaction, pleasure-in short, joy. Could it be that joy is the central element in life? If so, would such a concept be theologically sound? Would such a concept be much different from selfish hedonism?

Rather than beginning in Genesis to find answers to this quest for meaning, I went to the book of Revelation. There, in visionary insight, John describes God upon His throne, surrounded by myriads of creatures-human and others. The ambience of heaven seems to be a reveling in the jubilation of proximity to the great Creator, God. The creatures around the throne sing, "Holy, holy, holy" (Rev. 4:8).

How boring, one might think. Yet they do not only sing, they resonate, they quiver with excitement, they are ecstatic in His presence. His joy consumes their every thought.

This concept can be extrapolated back to earth. In Genesis God said, "Let us make man in our image" (Gen. 1:26). One could justifiably wonder what the image would be-would the image be a physical image? Possibly, although some may ask Why would God need an opposing thumb if He can speak and it holds fast? Would He have eyes to interpret the interplay of light when He existed before He created light? We do not know the answer to these questions. Yet in addition to whatever physical images we use to imagine God, we have to also consider His character, His personality, His goodness, His purity, His justice, His mercy, His joy.

When I stumbled upon this concept, it immediately gave me satisfaction. Suddenly bursting to my consciousness came the thought that I exist to be a reflection of God's goodness, His personality, His joy. Think of it, humankind-the expression of God's joy!

I was reminded of the verse that says of Jesus, "Who for the joy that was set before him endured . . ." (Heb. 12:2). Christ endured even the death of the cross because you and I are His joy. Our wholeness, our salvation, our healing is His joy.

This thought illuminates the concept of wellness. Wellness is not just the absence of disease or illness. Wellness is not just a state of insipid existence. Wellness means the exuberant celebration of health. It involves the joyous awareness of being able to reflect the characteristics of our Creator. Every aspect of our being is involved in these celebrations of wellness.

The word "celebrations" represents the message of health within it; just as the joy of the Lord carries with it the message of salvation. This 12-letter word is a reminder of all that's good about this life and the life to come.

Choice is an expression of freedom given us by God. Just as we choose to be pleasant and cheery or to be gruff and sinister, we choose our lifestyle. Recognition of our ability to choose highlights our responsibility and accountability. It recognizes our own individuality and that of others. We accept in our choices an independence and freedom that has consequences.

The choice to refrain from smoking brings freedom from a welter of diseases.¹ The choice to refrain from alcohol ensures a clear and lucid mind. The choice to eat a vegetarian diet reduces risks of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.² The simple choice to smile and be gentle ripples through relationships, bringing peace and affirmation to one another. Choosing to celebrate health and wellness brings its own reward.

As the milieu in which all ecosystems interrelate, environment's importance cannot be overemphasized. Protection and support of the environment is support of the infrastructure of wellness and health. An environment is the surrounding envelope that permits life. Our communities' attitudes toward pollution begin with us as individuals. There is a need for personal commitment in our homes, schools, parks, streets, and cities. We need to avoid the laziness that just tosses garbage away. Our voices need to be heard at parent-teacher meetings, school boards, town councils. As enlightened citizens we cannot afford to just lie back and ignore industrial pollution.

Important too is our social environment. If our children are to grow up to be healthy and socially responsible, they need to grow up in a secure, safe, kind, gentle, and just environment. Young people may sound confident and upbeat, but the adolescent suicide rate in the United States has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. In the United States suicide is now the third-leading cause of death in the 15- to 24-year-old age group.³

The erosion of values, the derision of traditional value systems, and the proliferation of the "if it feels good, do it" mentality are leading to the dissolution of a moral society. A solution lies in relationships between adults and youth that show love, kindness, truth, loyalty, and justice. We need to move toward a caring mentoring of youth that will enable them to move toward a faith relationship with Jesus, who is the ultimate solution.

Liquids are the lubricants of life. The purest liquid is water. Our brain functions in a watery gel. Our blood flows because of its water content; that makes it, literally, a river of life. Water lubricates the air flowing over our nasal passages, and our humidified breath can be seen on cold winter days in the vapor from our mouths and nostrils.

Water coats the tiny air sacs of our lungs and permits them to expand and contract without collapsing by acting as a solution for the "surfactant," or surface tension, in the lungs.

Without water we could not digest our food. Water is essential to metabolism, providing a medium for complex chemical reactions. Water is a vehicle that removes waste products throughout our bodies. Water is involved in the regulation of body temperature. When we are exercising, when we are exposed to increased temperatures, water helps to prevent exhaustion.

Water is one of life's luxuries. It can be used for washing ourselves and our clothing. Hot and cold water can bring relief to damaged muscles, joints, and skin. No wonder Jesus promised an internal fountain that would banish spiritual thirst forever (see John 4:14).

Exercise is one of the primary expressions of life. Our mobility involves such complex interactions between the nervous, vascular, and locomotor systems. We improve our mental outlook, invigorate and strengthen our hearts through exercise.⁴ Bones and muscles grow to match the demands we put on them. When we celebrate in exercise, we not only rejoice in our ability to exercise, but we also ensure our future participation in physical activities.

Belief is an essential ingredient in being properly motivated. Without belief there is no meaning in life. Belief in what? Belief in whom? The celebration of life finds its most firm foundation in the belief in God. Trusting in His existence, being convinced of His love, having faith in His benevolence and grace, is the ultimate basis for celebration. And beyond this the celebration that God's goodness has positive health benefits.⁵

Rest is the balm that soothes the timeworn edges of life. Soothing our anxieties and permitting reconstruction of cellular receivers, rest restores and reconstitutes our lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How fortunate we are to have a Sabbath day's rest to look forward to. It brings us a respite from the tensions of the week, a day to celebrate being with our families, time to build the bonds of love, not only with each other but also with our Savior and Lord. "Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care . . . balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course"⁶ is in itself a celebration of the built-in recuperative abilities our Creator has given us.

Atmosphere is more than just the air we breathe. It is both physical and social. Fresh air invigorates our bodies and permits every cell to function efficiently. The various components of our respiration have functions that maintain not only our lives but the whole ecosystem of life.

Beyond that, a positive social atmosphere provides the development and growth of healthy relationships. The supportive atmosphere of a happy family builds the personalities and characters of children. Husbands and wives grow in so many ways in their nurture of each other. Happy homes celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the sweet aroma of godliness brings peace and joy.

Temperance is the positive, healthy use of the good things of life in such moderation as to maximize their benefit, and the avoidance of all harmful and poisonous substances. Temperance is the conductor of the celebratory chorus of life that regulates the tempo and rhythm in such a way as to permit a sustained paean of praise.⁷

Integrity permits the celebration of wellness to be honest and real. Careful identification of the real from the imagined, the "evidence-based" from the "wishful thinking," permits the genuine pursuit of health with happiness.

So often we are bombarded with fads and fancies, pet theories, someone else's cherished beliefs. As the magnifying glass of integrity is brought to bear, we find that health is garbed not in the heavy and dull dress of austerity, but in the riotous colors of positive attitudes, delicious foods, wondrous activities, and stress-releasing behaviors. Integrity cracks open the true treasure of wellness as a wholesome, God-given gift.

Optimism gives us an outlook that colors the palette of life's canvas in vibrant, healthy hues. Choosing the path of optimism permits vigorous pursuit of health in mental, social, and interpersonal spheres. Optimism can be a chosen outlook that, by practice, becomes a habit. Optimism is a medicine. Solomon put it succinctly: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Prov. 17:22).

Nutrition is the foundation of physical strength, growth, and endurance. In His bounty God has given ample supply of foods with tastes that tingle our gustatory senses, colors that delight our eyes, and consistencies that fascinate our masticatory mechanisms. A balanced diet provides nutrition from all the main food types. Fats, carbohydrates, and protein in proper proportions contribute to our celebration of God's providence. Avoiding monotony keeps the balance steady. A vegetarian diet, with its wondrous selection of legumes, grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables, provides nearly all our nutritional needs. The vitamin B12 and calcium needs can be met with the judicious use of fortified soy milks or skimmed milk products. Vegetarian diets are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and can meet recommended dietary allowances for nutrients.⁸

The feeding of our spiritual nature, likewise, requires a diversity of inspirational messages. The depth and scope of the Bible feeds our every need and helps us grow, endure, and be strong.

Social support is one of life's golden rules. The shadow of loneliness is dispelled in the embrace of friendship. Anxiety and fear vanish in an empathetic atmosphere. Youth flourish where they feel a sense of belonging and partnership. In fact, the single most important factor in reducing at-risk behavior is found in the sense of connectedness and belonging that youth so crave.⁹

Wellness is a cause for celebrations. And celebrations are a cause of wellness.

This special issue of the Adventist Review contains lessons everyone can apply, not in a mood of dark, regulated discipline but in a joyous appreciation of God's grace and love. As we identify with His character and person, we will be filled with the sense of celebration that salvation and healing bring. The liberation He alone can give is wholistic in its application, reaching every fiber of our being. No wonder celebrations fill our lives. And one day we will live forever in His presence. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

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¹ Richard Peto et al., British Medical Journal, Aug. 2, 2000.
² Joan Sabat� & Rosemary Ratzin-Turner, Vegetarian Nutrition (CRC Press, LLC, 2001).
³ American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Facts for Families, No. 10.
⁴ College of Family Physicians of Canada, Exercise.
⁵ W. J. Strawbridge et al., American Journal of Public Health 87 (1997): 957-961.
⁶ William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act II, scene 2, line 36.
⁷ V. B. Bailey, G. L. Hopkins, and S. Tyner, Journal of Adolescent Behavior, December 1998/January 1999, pp. 10-14.
⁸ U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 4th ed. (1995).
⁹ R. W. Blum and P. M. Rinehart, Reducing the Risk: Connections That Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth (Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota).

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Allan Handysides is director of the Health Ministries Department of the General Conference.