My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world. ~ Jack Layton
Month: November 2024
Briefly it Enters, Briefly it Speaks ~ a poem by Jane Kenyon
Briefly it Enters, Briefly it Speaks
Jane Kenyon
I am the blossom pressed in a book,
found again after two hundred years. . . .
I am the maker, the lover, and the keeper….
When the young girl who starves
sits down to a table
she will sit beside me. . . .
I am food on the prisoner’s plate. . . .
I am water rushing to the wellhead,
filling the pitcher until it spills. . . .
I am the patient gardener
of the dry and weedy garden. . . .
I am the stone step,
the latch, and the working hinge. . . .
I am the heart contracted by joy. . . .
the longest hair, white
before the rest. . . .
I am there in the basket of fruit
presented to the widow. . . .
I am the musk rose opening
unattended, the fern on the boggy summit. . . .
I am the one whose love
overcomes you, already with you
when you think to call my name. . . .
Apply Healthy Japanese Lifestyle Practices
Adopting aspects of Japanese lifestyle practices can bring holistic benefits for both mental and physical health. Here are five ways these practices can have a positive impact:
1. Ikigai – Finding Purpose and Joy in Life
- Mental Health: Ikigai, the Japanese concept of “reason for being,” encourages people to find a purpose that brings them joy and fulfillment. This can foster a sense of purpose, increase motivation, and reduce stress and depression.
- Physical Health: Having a purpose in life is linked to longevity and better physical health, as it encourages people to stay active and engage in meaningful activities that keep the mind and body sharp.
2. Wabi-Sabi – Embracing Imperfections and Minimalism
- Mental Health: Wabi-sabi, which celebrates imperfection, simplicity, and transience, can promote mental well-being by helping people accept life’s imperfections. This can reduce feelings of inadequacy, self-criticism, and the pressure to be perfect.
- Physical Health: Living simply and embracing what is necessary (minimalism) reduces clutter, leading to a more organized and peaceful living space. This promotes relaxation, better sleep, and reduces the risk of stress-related health issues.
3. Mindful Eating and Portion Control
- Mental Health: Japanese meals emphasize mindful eating, which involves savoring each bite and eating slowly. This practice can enhance enjoyment of food, reduce overeating, and help with managing emotional eating.
- Physical Health: Smaller portions and emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients (like fish, rice, vegetables, and green tea) contribute to a balanced diet, reducing risks of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
4. Physical Activity as Part of Daily Life
- Mental Health: Walking, biking, and activities like gardening are common in Japanese lifestyles. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and help with focus and mental clarity.
- Physical Health: Low-impact, daily movement helps maintain cardiovascular health, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and keeps the body agile. Many Japanese people also practice gentle exercises like Tai Chi or stretching, which improve flexibility and strength without being overly strenuous.
5. Connection to Nature – Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing)
- Mental Health: Forest bathing, or “shinrin-yoku,” is a practice where individuals spend time immersing themselves in natural surroundings, helping reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing overall mood and mental clarity.
- Physical Health: Studies show that spending time in nature can reduce blood pressure, lower stress hormones, and improve immune function, making people more resilient against illnesses.
Integrating even a few of these practices into daily life can contribute to
Today’s Joke: Joe’s GF Got it Right
Joe: “My girlfriend asked me if I knew the difference between government bonds and me.”
Pete: “What is the difference?”
Joe: “My girlfriend said that government bonds mature.”
Today’s Thought: Hope is Our Energy
We all have occasional periods of darkness where we slip into a pit and begin to lose hope. When this happens to you, fight it with all your strength. In many ways you’ll be fighting for your life. Hope fuels our belief that today will be good and tomorrow holds the promise of something better. Hope provides the energy to tackle the work we have; we know deep in our heart our work is important. Hope is the fire inside us that lights the way for others who are struggling. When disappointment hits, never quit, continue to hope things will improve. Then, turn, face the challenge, and grab your life out of its hands. Press on.
Anagram Challenge
Daily anagram challenge! Sharpen your brain with today’s anagram puzzle. Unscramble the letters to reveal the hidden word or phrase, and submit your answer to see if you’re correct. Happy puzzling!
Today’s Anagram:
Today’s Quote: Two Sides of the Same Coin
“Choose love and peace will follow. Choose peace and love will follow.” ~ Mary Helen Doyle
Barter ~ a poem by Sara Teasdale
Barter
Sara Teasdale
Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children’s faces looking up,
Holding wonder like a cup.
Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like the curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit’s still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.
Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.
How Much Salt is Too Much Salt
I recently had lunch with a friend. My friend added salt to the food before tasting it. It made me think about its adverse health effects. I asked ChatGPT to list the adverse health effects of too much salt in one’s diet and to state in simple terms the maximum amount of salt one should consume each day.
Too much salt in the diet can lead to several health issues, primarily affecting blood pressure, heart health, and kidney function. Here’s a breakdown of the adverse effects and general guidance on a healthy amount of salt intake:
Adverse Effects of Excess Salt
- High Blood Pressure: Salt makes the body retain water, which increases the volume of blood in the bloodstream, raising blood pressure. High blood pressure strains the heart, arteries, kidneys, and brain, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Heart Disease: Elevated blood pressure and other factors related to high salt intake can lead to heart disease, including heart failure.
- Kidney Damage: Kidneys filter excess fluid out of the blood, and too much salt makes this job harder, leading to kidney strain and possibly kidney stones or kidney disease over time.
- Osteoporosis: Excessive salt can lead to calcium loss in the body, which can weaken bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Bloating and Fluid Retention: Too much salt can cause the body to retain water, leading to bloating, swelling, and discomfort.
- Increased Risk of Stomach Cancer: Studies suggest a link between high salt intake and stomach cancer, although more research is needed to fully understand the connection.
Healthy Salt Intake Guidelines
The American Heart Association recommends:
- Ideal limit: No more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day (about ¾ of a teaspoon of salt).
- Maximum limit: No more than 2,300 mg per day (about 1 teaspoon).
To put this in perspective:
- 1,500 mg of sodium is approximately ¾ teaspoon of salt, while 2,300 mg is about one teaspoon. Many processed and restaurant foods contain hidden salts, so it’s important to check labels and be mindful of food choices.
Reducing salt intake, especially from processed foods, canned foods, and restaurant meals, can significantly impact health, particularly heart health and blood pressure.
Source: ChatGPT
Today’s Joke: Joe’s GF is Spot On
Joe: “My girlfriend said she figured out why I don’t show my feelings.”
Pete: “What did she say?”
Joe: “She said I don’t show my feelings because I don’t have any.”
