It’s Time to Exercise Your Brain – Take the Anagram Challenge  

Today’s mind sharpening anagram is a two or three word phrase. Can you unscramble the anagram to discover the two or three word phrase? It’s time to exercise your brain! 

Today’s Anagram:  

Come With Me, I Said, And No One Knew (VII) ~ A Poem by Pablo Neruda

Come With Me, I Said, And No One Knew (VII)

Pablo Neruda

Come with me, I said, and no one knew
where, or how my pain throbbed,
no carnations or barcaroles for me,
only a wound that love had opened.

I said it again: Come with me, as if I were dying,
and no one saw the moon that bled in my mouth
or the blood that rose into the silence.
O Love, now we can forget the star that has such thorns!

That is why when I heard your voice repeat
Come with me, it was as if you had let loose
the grief, the love, the fury of a cork-trapped wine

the geysers flooding from deep in its vault:
in my mouth I felt the taste of fire again,
of blood and carnations, of rock and scald.

Source

Today’s Inspiring Quote: Doing What Matters Most

Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Get Healthy: Chronic Stress Is Really Bad for You

Chronic stress is intricately linked to various illnesses, significantly impacting mental health, cognitive functioning, and the onset of chronic diseases. Chronic stress accelerates and exacerbates pre-existing vulnerabilities, leading to mental health issues such as depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and cognitive impairments in populations with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease (Marin et al., 2011). The chronicity and controllability of stress play significant roles in stress-illness relationships, with chronic stressors leading to greater health detriments compared to episodic stressors, as evidenced by their effects on psychosomatic symptoms and depression (Gannon & Pardie, 1989). Chronic stress has been linked to an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety, type 2 diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, circulatory disease, asthma, and emphysema, highlighting the need for interventions that address chronic stress to prevent the onset and exacerbation of these conditions (Renzaho et al., 2014).

In summary, chronic stress is a significant factor contributing to the development and exacerbation of various diseases. Addressing chronic stress through targeted interventions could mitigate its impact on health and improve outcomes for individuals experiencing chronic stress-related conditions.

Source: ChatGPT

From Darkness to Light: Embracing Love After Loss – Episode 82

Welcome to Episode 82 of ‘Journey from Grief to Healing’ with your host, Dr. Ray Calabrese. This episode, “From Darkness to Light,” draws its inspiration from the impending total solar eclipse, a powerful metaphor for the journey through grief.

When we’re immersed in sorrow, it can feel like we’re in the midst of an eclipse – stuck in a darkness that obscures all light. Yet, just as the veil of darkness in an eclipse inevitably lifts, so too does the heavy shadow of grief. But we must have the courage to allow the light back in.

One of the ways we can invite the light back into our lives is by opening ourselves to love again. Love can be a healing force, but it requires vulnerability and courage. Many who grieve may resist forming new attachments out of fear, guilt, and anxiety. This episode explores how we can overcome these barriers and let love reignite the flame within us.

We discuss the importance of allowing others into our lives, even though it can be challenging. Healing is a journey that one does not have to take alone. Despite experiencing the deepest of pains, there’s a necessity to remain open, allowing love to become instrumental in the healing process.

Remember, love is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s a powerful tool for healing. It takes courage, but it’s worth the effort. Never stop loving. Share your experiences, invite connection, let love heal.

If you’ve found solace in this episode, don’t forget to subscribe for future updates. For more uplifting content, check out my blog at http://www.dancingalone530.com. If you wish to share your personal journey through grief, I’m just an email away. Wishing you strength and resilience on your journey from grief to healing.

You can listen to Episode 82 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 82

Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to receive notifications of future episodes

Sonnet 109: O! Never Say I Was False of Heart ~ A Poem by William Shakespeare

Sonnet 109: O! Never Say I was False of Heart

William Shakespeare

O! never say that I was false of heart,
Though absence seem’d my flame to qualify,
As easy might I from my self depart
As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie:
That is my home of love: if I have ranged,
Like him that travels, I return again;
Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,
So that myself bring water for my stain.
Never believe though in my nature reigned,
All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,
That it could so preposterously be stained,
To leave for nothing all thy sum of good;
For nothing this wide universe I call,
Save thou, my rose, in it thou art my all.

Source

Today’s Thought: Living Life Forward

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Søren Kierkegaard

NOTE: When we look back, we know. When we look forward we don’t know. Looking back can give us a false sense of security. Looking forward is fraught with insecurity. We can’t escape it. It comes with the gift of being alive. In ways, it’s the looking forward that makes life exciting. Every day becomes an adventure. Even if we follow the precept of “living in the moment” it is still living in the unknown. We skip from one moment to the next moment unaware of what will happen in the succeeding moment. When we live forward into the unknown we grow, we learn, we develop a toughness and resilience to face unknown challenges. Don’t fear living forward. You’re already well equipped to do it and do it well.

It’s Time to Exercise Your Brain – Take the Anagram Challenge  

Today’s mind sharpening anagram is a two or three word phrase. Can you unscramble the anagram to discover the two or three word phrase? It’s time to exercise your brain! 

Today’s Anagram:  

Today’s Inspiring Quote: Never Quit

“When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.” – Unknown

Get Healthy: Stomach Problems? Food & Lifestyle Changes May Help

Maintaining a healthy stomach is pivotal for overall well-being, as it’s crucial for digestion, nutrient absorption, and the immune system. Here’s how foods and lifestyle choices can promote a healthy stomach:

Foods that Promote a Healthy Stomach

  1. Probiotics and Fermented Foods: Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha are rich in probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that improve gut health and digestion.
  2. High-Fiber Foods: Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains help keep the digestive system moving and can prevent issues like constipation.
  3. Lean Proteins: Incorporating lean proteins such as poultry, fish, tofu, and legumes into your diet can be beneficial as they are easier to digest compared to fatty meats.
  4. Prebiotic Foods: Foods rich in prebiotics, such as onions, garlic, bananas, and oats, feed the beneficial gut bacteria and help them thrive.
  5. Ginger and Peppermint: These are known for their soothing properties and can help reduce nausea and improve digestion.
  6. Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is essential for digestion and helps break down food so your body can absorb the nutrients.

Lifestyle Choices for a Healthy Stomach

  1. Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps keep food moving through your digestive system and reduces constipation.
  2. Manage Stress: Chronic stress can negatively affect your digestive system. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises can help manage stress levels.
  3. Eat Slowly: Taking your time to chew your food thoroughly aids in digestion and can prevent issues such as indigestion and bloating.
  4. Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can harm your digestive system, leading to issues like heartburn and stomach ulcers.
  5. Limit Foods that Irritate the Stomach: Foods that are high in fat, spicy, or acidic can irritate the stomach for some people. Pay attention to how your body responds to certain foods and adjust accordingly.

Personalized Approach

Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods can be particularly beneficial for maintaining a healthy stomach. Remember, what works best can vary from person to person, so listening to your body and adjusting your diet and lifestyle choices accordingly is key.

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