)
With the elections approaching, now is the time to exercise your right to speak up and be heard. But first, you need to think: how healthy is your vote?
When it comes to health and fitness, I’ve always believed that it should be approached in a holistic and sustainable manner. To make a real lifestyle change, it’s really about putting in consistent, lifelong efforts to make better choices and habits daily. This applies across all aspects of one’s life—physical, mental, emotional, financial, social, and even spiritual.
As we focus on the upcoming #Halalan2022 through #TheNewPH and #TheBallotCry, I’d like to also bring in this same holistic perspective when preparing for your vote.
Choosing who to vote for in the upcoming elections will definitely not be an easy feat. With the many challenges surrounding our country, we definitely need to choose good leaders. Leaders who can bring us all together towards resiliency, progress, and hope.
So what makes a healthy vote? Here are 6 questions that you can ask yourself. That way, you’re guided towards a more holistic perspective when it comes to choosing our next-generation leaders.
What are the personal values that you want strongly reflected in society and in your chosen candidates?
Your values are your true north and your guiding compass through life. They define your lifestyle—just like it does for your health and fitness choices! While it can be impossible to find a perfect match with your beliefs, it’s important to discern what your non-negotiables are and how much you can realistically compromise.
What systemic problems do you want to see solved?
When it comes to health, shortcuts never work. That’s why it’s important to really find solutions that lead to real sustainable change. It’s the same with the issues we face as a nation. Thus, it’s just as important to have a long-term perspective when checking on a potential leader’s platform.
To you, how important are the candidate’s track record, background, and experience?
I’ve said it many times before. It’s important to go with qualified experts when you’re looking for an ally in your health and fitness journey. When it comes to our leaders, it’s the same. They need to be qualified and ready for the posts they are aspiring for—most especially since managing a nation comes with many curve balls that require not only innovative thinking or mastery of public policy but also a compassionate approach.
How informed are you when it comes to their platforms?
Just like fitness goals, it’s essential that the candidate you are choosing has a specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely plan. Yes, just like your SMART goals! That way, they can address key issues and opportunities in the country.
Who’s putting the pressure on you when choosing who to vote?
I always say: “every body is different“. Likewise, when it comes to your vote, it’s very important that you are voting based on your own unique perspective. Not due to peer pressure or a “trendy” majority slant.
In voting, how emotionally-charged is your choice?
Making a big decision requires a clear mind. That’s why it’s important to do your research and approach voting from a proactive stance, rather than a reactive one. Don’t forget to ask yourself if you are voting out of frustration or if you are voting out of hope.
It will also be good to remember that just like in health and fitness, real change doesn’t happen overnight. It happens little by little—through constant work towards an unchanging direction that one decides to head towards… slowly but surely.
#Halalan2022 is coming and we hold in our hands the power to shape the future of the Philippines. Let’s make it a point to cast our votes in ways that will be meaningful and impactful—not just for the short term, but for the many generations to come.
Photos from Pexels.com
RELATED ARTICLES:
LOOK: This Online Movement Celebrates Pinoy Pride and Philippine Independence
Our Ballot Cry: Here’s Why You Need to Vote in the Upcoming 2022 Elections