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.
Kindness
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.
Today’s Poem: How Wonderful by Saigyo
How Wonderful
Saigyo
How wonderful, that
Her heart
Should show me kindness;
And of all the numberless folk,
Grief should not touch me.
Source: ChatGPT
Today’s Thought: Cut Some Slack Today
Sometimes the best kind act one can do is to cut another some slack. This is especially true with those close to us and those with whom we work. It’s difficult to cut someone some slack when we view ourselves as perfect. When we gain the humility to see our imperfections the imperfections in others considerably diminishes. There were many times in my life when I was cut some slack and it made all the difference. Thinking of the folks who cut me some slack is bringing back good memories. Let’s make today a Cut Someone Some Slack Day.
Today’s Poem: Friendship by Salomeja Neris
Friendship
Salomeja Neris
Let prophets curse, this world despising,
Until their bloodless lips turn blue!
My friendship – like the sun arising,
Like longing – I extend to you.
In pitch-dark night we often blunder
The clouded skies seem never bright.
And yet I cannot help but wonder:
Why is the earth so full of light?
It’s not the sun that we so cherish
That every morning brings us light.
It is the dawn of our great friendship
That fills us brimful of delight!
It keeps this world and us still going,
It keeps all songs alive and gay.
For friendship’s sake do streams go flowing
And forests sing their roundelay.
Today’s Thought: Can You do One Kind Act Today?
Take time today to produce one kind act. Maybe you’ll cheer your mom or dad up with a call. Perhaps you’ll surprise a neighbor with a loaf of fresh baked bread or a pastry from the bakery. Maybe you’ll surprise one of your children and take him/her out to dinner at a place of his/her choice. What surprise can you bring home to your partner tonight that will brighten his/her day? C’mon, it won’t take long. All it needs is you.
Today’s Thought: What’s Your Favorite Pizza?
When I get a pizza I like my pizza with fresh mozzarella and loaded with veggies. A friend of mine likes her pizza with pepperoni. Even though we like different pizzas we remain good friends. The same should apply if we had different ideas about football teams or politics. When we let what we want or like get in the way of our relationships with others, something is wrong. Friendship, kindness, and respect are better choices.
