Four Pillar Friday

Four Pillar Friday
Your weekly guide to thriving in every aspect of life—Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Financial Wellness.

This Week’s Quote:
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Physical Wellness

One Foot. Ten Seconds. A Surprising Signal for Longevity.

A 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that adults aged 51–75 who couldn’t balance on one foot for 10 seconds had an 84% higher risk of death from any cause over the next seven years—even after adjusting for age, BMI, and preexisting conditions.

This simple balance test reflects far more than stability. It touches on overall physical function, strength, neurological coordination, and even long-term resilience.

The takeaway? Balance isn’t just a bonus, it’s a baseline. As part of your Physical Wellness pillar, start integrating basic stability into your routine: stand on one foot while brushing your teeth, try single-leg deadlifts, or explore practices like yoga and tai chi.

Pause. Stand tall. Count to ten.
It might be one of the simplest things you do for your long-term health.

Mental Wellness

Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for the 8^th consecutive year—but not because its people are chasing extraordinary lives. As seen is this wonderful short film, Finnish happiness is rooted in something much deeper: trust in one another, connection to nature, balance between work and rest, and a cultural mindset that values enough over excess.

There’s a quiet strength in the way Finns live—where time outdoors is prioritized, hot and cold is embraced, community is nurtured, and personal fulfillment isn’t measured by achievement alone, but by presence and peace of mind. In a world that often equates happiness with hustle, Finland offers a counterpoint: that joy can be found in slowing down, stepping outside, and focusing on what truly matters.

It’s not about having more…it’s about needing less and living well.

Financial Wellness

Die With Zero, by Bill Perkins, reframes the narrative on personal finance and traditional advice. Instead of focusing solely on saving and accumulating, it challenges you to prioritize life experiences while you’re healthy enough to enjoy them. The core idea? Don’t wait until retirement, or worse, until it’s too late—to start truly living. Time, health, and memory-making have a shelf life, and the goal should be to convert your money into meaningful moments while you still can. It’s not about being reckless—it’s about being intentional: spending on what matters, when it matters most. In the end, “Die with Zero” isn’t about money. It’s about maximizing your life return on investment.

Spiritual Wellness

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”
— Anne Lamott

In a world that’s always connected, disconnection is a spiritual practice.

Spiritual wellness isn’t always about religion, it’s often about connection: to yourself, to your purpose, to something deeper than the scroll and noise.

When every moment offers a ping, a post, or a notification, creating moments of quiet becomes essential. Whether it’s through a walk without your phone, a few minutes with your eyes closed before your day begins, or simply sitting in silence. These moments aren’t about escape. They’re about return.

Stillness helps us hear what the world drowns out: our inner voice. Our values. The small truths that get buried under the weight of a constant feed.

One mistake we make is believing clarity always comes from doing more. It often comes from doing less.

Questions worth asking:

• What grounds me when everything is crazy?
• Where do I return when I feel disconnected—even from myself?
• What can I remove that no longer serves me?

In an always-on world, spiritual minimalism isn’t about adding more to feel whole—it’s about making space for what’s already within.

Stay Connected:
What steps—big or small—are you taking in physical, mental, financial, and spiritual wellness? Maybe you pushed your limits in a workout, made a mindful financial choice, or found time for reflection.

We’d love to hear how you’re integrating Physical, Mental, Financial, and Spiritual Wellness into your week. Drop a comment, message us, or tag us—because growth happens when we show up and share the journey. And if this resonates with you, share it with someone who might find it meaningful.

Here’s to Living Richly,
The Journey Team