“Overcome anger by love; overcome wrong by good; overcome the miserly by generosity, and the liar by truth.”
~ Buddha
Month: December 2022
Do You Have Common Sense?
Do You Have Common Sense? I recall a Sunday dinner with my dad and mom, brother and his wife, and my family and me. It was a typical Italian Sunday dinner, we argued and argued. When my brother and I (we both had doctorates at the time) believed we had my dad pinned down, he said, “You two have doctorates, but they forgot to teach you common sense.” Well, he left us speechless. Common sense? No, we hadn’t had a course in it. The more I thought about it, he was speaking of an ability to understand people and perceive what they are thinking and talking about. In another way, he was saying get off your high horse and understand what the average person experiences and thinks. it was a good and lasting lesson for me.
A Better Life ~ Love is a Priceless Gift
Love puts a song in one’s heart and it never stops playing. It gives a man or woman the power to climb the highest mountains or swim across raging rivers. Is a priceless gift.
Today’s Health Tip ~ 5 Tips to Naturally Reduce Hypertension
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, affects one–third of all adults in the United States—and less than half of the people with high blood pressure have it under control. High blood pressure can cause serious health problems without showing any warning signs.
5 Ways to Naturally Reduce High Blood Pressure
- Regular physical activity – It’s no secret that regular physical activity helps to keep you in good health. Not only does exercise help control high blood pressure, it also helps you manage your weight, strengthen your heart and lower your stress level.
- Eat less salt – Most people eat too much salt without realizing it. The American Heart Association estimates that the average American eats about 3,400 mg of sodium a day. However, the recommended daily intake is 2,300 mg, with an ideal limit of less than 1,500 mg per day, especially for those with high blood pressure.
- Add more potassium to your diet – Not only does potassium help regulate heart rate, it can also reduce the effects of sodium in the body. Potassium helps your body get rid of sodium and also eases tension in your blood vessel walls, both of which help to further lower blood pressure.
- Limit alcohol consumption – Some research shows that drinking alcohol in moderation can benefit your heart. However, too much alcohol consumed at one time can cause a sudden spike in your blood pressure.
- However, chronic stress may put you at risk for a variety of long-term health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Stress can also increase your blood pressure levels if your coping mechanisms involve eating unhealthy food, drinking alcohol or smoking. Some methods to help alleviate or deal with stress include:
- Reframing your mindset. Focus on the things you can control, instead of worrying about situations that are out of your hands. Many times, our anxieties stem from the “what if”—instances that might not ever occur. Putting those thoughts into perspective and reminding yourself to stay present can help calm those worries.
- Avoid stress triggers. Try to avoid putting yourself in unnecessary stressful situations. For example, try leaving for work a few minutes early to beat rush-hour traffic.
- Practice gratitude. Acknowledging all the positives in our lives often helps to shift the focus away from what we want or what we are lacking. In addition, outwardly expressing gratitude to others can also help reduce feelings of stress.
- Take time to relax and enjoy. Carve out time for things that bring you joy. Whether that’s eating a good meal, spending time with loved ones or listening to an interesting podcast on your commute, find time to incorporate small moments of enjoyment throughout the day.
Today’s Inspiration ~ It’s Time to be a bit Silly
“Do silly things. Foolishness is a great deal more vital and healthy than our straining and striving after a meaningful life.”
Today’s Health Tip ~ 4 Health Benefits of Spicy Foods
Spicy Food’s Health Benefits
- Spicy foods may keep your heart healthy – People who eat red chili peppers have been shown to have lower levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because it increases the risk of heart disease. Recent research found that consuming these peppers is associated with a 13 percent lower incidence of deaths from heart disease and stroke.
- Spicy foods may kick start your metabolism – There are many factors that can contribute to weight gain. “Inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, genetics, age, or certain medications all can play a role,” said Dr. Millstein. Capsaicin may help boost your metabolism, which can help you burn more calories both at rest and during exercise, meaning you might be able to lose weight more easily.
- Spicy foods may be an effective pain reliever – If you’ve ever bitten into a chili pepper, you’re probably familiar with the burning sensation that follows. When you apply that same sensation to the nerves on your hands and feet, it can make those nerves lose their feeling for extended periods of time, which relieves pain. When used as a lotion or other topical cream, capsaicin causes a slight feeling of heat, stinging and itching. “Over time, the nerves in your hands and feet will grow accustomed to the lotion and will have a lower ability to process pain. This can help with conditions such as arthritis and injuries.
- Spicy foods may reduce inflammation and promote gut health – Your taste buds and your gut may be more connected than you think. When you bite into a pepper, the capsaicin attaches to a receptor that communicates with other cells. That communication causes a nerve on your tongue to immediately tell your brain that it’s hot. That same receptor is found in your digestive tract. When capsaicin enters your digestive tract and attaches to the receptor, it creates a chemical called anandamide. Anandamide has been shown to lead to less inflammation in the gut, which can be caused by conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Today’s Joke
Joe: “I quit my job at the bank.”
Pete: ‘Why did you do that?”
Joe: “I lost interest.”
Today’s Power Thought ~ Let the Worry Go
Why worry about the small stuff, there’s always going to be small stuff. Let it wash over like water from a spring mountain stream over rocks. Give your all to the important stuff.
Today’s Poem ~ Love is Enough
Love is Enough
William Morris
Love is enough: though the world be a-waning,
And the woods have no voice but the voice of complaining,
Though the skies be too dark for dim eyes to discover
The gold-cups and daisies fair blooming thereunder,
Though the hills be held shadows, and the sea a dark wonder,
And this day draw a veil over all deeds passed over,
Yet their hands shall not tremble, their feet shall not falter:
The void shall not weary, the fear shall not alter
These lips and these eyes of the loved and the lover.
What if I didn’t need things to make me happy?
What if I didn’t need things to make me happy? What if I could find my happiness in this moment, with those near me, and in the circumstances that I find myself? The things we want bring us a temporary euphoria when we acquire them. The happiness they give us is short lived and we move on to the next thing. When I become happy with who I am, where I am, and with those around me, I’ve found something special and priceless.
