I can give things for Christmas, and I do. Things are important, not so much for the thing I give, but for the symbolism of the giving. When I give a gift it symbolizes that the person receiving the gift is important to me. Receiving a gift is much more important than the giving. If I focus on the thing I get as a gift, chances are I’ll be disappointed. It doesn’t fit. I don’t like the color. I don’t need this, etc. That may all be true. Another way to look at is, for each gift we receive, someone took the time to think of us. Being thought of is a powerful action. It means that I see you and I want to share something with you. It is a recognition of our deeper human connection. On Christmas day when I am with my family and I open a gift and feel my daughter and her family looking me, I’ll say as I open it, “Ah, I love it, a sweatshirt with a large dinosaur on front and its tail on the shirt’s back. It’s what I’ve always wanted.” I’ll slip the sweatshirt on, it may be the only time I wear it. Merry Christmas. Spread the joy and love and peace.
Kindness
Peace on Earth
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” — Norman Vincent Peale
You Have Been Chosen
Most human beings live simple unassuming lives. Even those who receive notoriety are soon forgotten shortly after their death. It’s humbling to think of it that way. The super rich billionaires may build monuments, businesses, and blaze their names on them, but they too will be forgotten within a generation. We’re all in the same boat as we move through our journey. Each of us has a reason for being. It may be to do something notable, most often it’s not. Yet, each of our reasons for being is vitally important and no reason is greater than another’s reason. My mom and dad were shoe workers. They raised a family. They were kind to their brothers, sisters, and neighbors. They were good parents to my brother and me. And, they were proud of the shoes they made. Their reason for being was as important as a king or queen or president’s reason for being. Discover your reason for being and pursue it. It is your adventure. We can learn from the words of J. R. R. Tolkien, “You have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.”
The Power of a Smile
One of the things that makes me happy is to see people smiling. When I see people smiling (not the fake posed kind, the kind that comes from the heart) I know they are happy. Smiles have a way of silently expressing a genuine love for others. Smiles are contagious. I know when I smile at someone, they return the smile. In that moment, two human beings made contact and in a silent way assured each other of life’s goodness. Each time we offer another a warm smile we are sharing a moment of peace, a moment of connection, and a moment of love. Mother Teresa said, “A smile carries a powerful message. We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving – Grateful for all my followers. Thank you for the wonderful gift of you.
Light it Up
I love the dawn. The dawn holds the promise of a new day. It is offering me another chance. Yesterday is behind me and tomorrow is in front of me. If I look closely at each moment as my day unfolds, I know I can add kindness, optimism, and love to the moment. Suddenly, that moment explodes with enough power to light up my city. William James,known as the father of American psychology, said, “Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.” C’mon, light up the world.
Today’s Thought: Let’s Hit the Brakes
Let’s hit the brakes and take time to smile and be kind to one another. We’re all traveling on the same planet. Who wants to go through life being angry with others who are different?. There’s so much joy to miss. If we smile more, greet others with an encouraging word, and make kindness a habit our world will be a brighter and happier place.
Today’s Poem: Kindness by Sylvia Plath
Kindness
Sylvia Plath
Kindness glides about my house.
Dame Kindness, she is so nice!
The blue and red jewels of her rings smoke
In the windows, the mirrors
Are filling with smiles.
What is so real as the cry of a child?
A rabbit’s cry may be wilder
But it has no soul.
Sugar can cure everything, so Kindness says.
Sugar is a necessary fluid,
Its crystals a little poultice.
O kindness, kindness
Sweetly picking up pieces!
My Japanese silks, desperate butterflies,
May be pinned any minute, anesthetized.
And here you come, with a cup of tea
Wreathed in steam.
The blood jet is poetry,
There is no stopping it.
You hand me two children, two roses.
Health Facts: Loving Relationships Improve Health
Here are three ways a loving relationship can positively impact health:
- Reduced Stress and Lower Blood Pressure: Being in a loving, supportive relationship can decrease stress levels by boosting the production of oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone.” Oxytocin helps reduce stress and lower blood pressure, supporting heart health.
- Better Immune Function: Loving relationships often lead to a sense of security and lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which in high levels can weaken the immune system. Reduced cortisol allows the immune system to function more effectively, making individuals less susceptible to infections and inflammation-related illnesses.
- Increased Motivation for Healthy Habits: In loving relationships, partners often encourage each other to maintain healthy habits, like regular exercise, balanced eating, and routine health check-ups. This mutual support and accountability can make it easier to stick to healthy lifestyle choices.
These benefits highlight how meaningful connections impact both emotional and physical well-being.
Source: ChatGPT
Today’s Thought: Family Matters
When I was at the gym today, I saw a friend who is recovering from extensive neck surgery. Her therapist cleared her to ride the recumbent bicycle for 20 minutes. I had to stand in front of the bicycle to talk with her because she cannot turn head, that will come with more therapy. She’s determined to come all the way back and return to her rigorous workout schedule. She spoke of how kind her husband has been during her recovery and of the generous help of her daughters. We agreed family was important. Family is a big deal. It’s where we all start. It’s our place of safety when we’re in trouble. I recall shortly after my wife died and my girls had all returned to their out-of-state homes I was alone in church kneeling and praying when the parish priest, silently came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder and asked, “Are you okay?” I stood and briefly told him my story. He gave me a hug and said, “We are your family.” That was a big deal at a the time for me. Knowing you have a family that loves you is a big deal.
