Get up and get going will make you better. According to the NY Times, “The researchers also found that people who moved more frequently tended to report greater life satisfaction over all than those who reported spending most of their time in a chair.” What are you waiting for? Put on some sunscreen and go for a walk. Is it too hot, play some music and practice your dance moves.
There’s enough stuff in the news to toss anyone in downward spiral. I had a conversation with someone who sat next to me on a recent flight. She offered a great suggestion. She spoke of how the news had a habit of grabbing hold of her, especially the political news. She said that she had a moment of awareness of how the news was making her feel,his angry, anxious, and edgy. She didn’t like feeling this way. She does not watch the news or listen to the talk shows/podcasts that create those emotions in her. I asked her how she stays in formed. She said, she reads it online and is aware of how it is making her feel. If she feels negative emotions arise as she reads it, she turns the switch off. She said she feels much better now. It may not be the news that gets you angry. It may be a family member, neighbor, or co-worker. Move them out of your circle. If you can’t move them out of your circle, minimize the contact time you have with him/her. That’s a feel good tip for all of us.
Can you find inner peace no matter how a situation turns out? Not everyone can. The moment’s turmoil seems to capture us and when it does we find ourselves on traveling rapidly in the wrong direction. I’m speaking of a time when everything is going right and boom, an event interrupts the nice flow we were experiencing. Can we ride the unwelcome event without losing our sense of balance until the unwelcome event runs out of power? Metaphorically, the storm that interrupted us will lose its power and disappear. I think a sense of inner peace comes from knowing that we’ve experienced similar storms and made it through. There’s no reason we won’t make it through again. A good maxim might be, “I did this and I can do it again.”
Saint Augustine said, “Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.” Is it time to stop and reflect on the miracle of who you are? Think of how your eyes feed information to your brain and in an instant your brain sends messages to the corresponding parts of your body. Think of moments when you were deeply in love and desired the moment to last forever. We are awesome miracles. Take nothing for granted. Be grateful for the who you are.
The kids in the neighborhood gather on the street corners waiting for their school bus Monday through Fridays. They’re chatting with each other, some are carrying instruments, all have backpacks. Scenes like this make me feel good. I see a new generation trying to figure it out. They will. I have hope that among them are peacemakers, doctors, scientists, and most all people who will make a positive difference.
I am blessed. I am surrounded by good neighbors and friends. They care about me and I care about them. When we move outside of our tight circle we discover a beautiful world filled with beautiful people who care and have loving hearts.
What is one nice thing you can do today for someone? There are an infinite number of opportunities. You can do something as simple as sending a text with an inspiring quote. Not sure where to find an inspiring quote? Here is a great website loaded with quotes to lift your spirit: BrainyQuote. Don’t want to send a quote? Send a text and simply say, “Thinking of you. Hope you are doing well.” You can copy and paste from this post. It’s easy to do something simple that means a lot to others.
A recent Harvard School of Public Health study found that positive psychological well-being, which includes self-acceptance and positive relations with others, is linked to improved heart health. However, having an optimistic attitude was the biggest predictor of all: People who tend to look on the bright side have fewer heart problems, such as cardiovascular disease. They also have better cholesterol readings: In a separate survey of nearly 1,000 middle aged men and women, those who reported higher levels of optimism had lower levels of triglycerides, or less fat in the blood.
Note: We didn’t have much materially when I grew up. I did experience lots of love. I also experienced a mom and dad who worked in low blue-collar jobs encouraging my brother and me to learn and go to college. They didn’t complain about the cold winters in an unheated cold water flat. They didn’t complain when they got laid off from the factories. They knew they’d make it. I didn’t know it at the time, but they were passing on their sense of optimism to me. They taught me to keep plugging and sooner or later it’s all going to turn out right. What a great inheritance. Thanks Mom and Dad
In my experience, the answer seems simple. We can eliminate much of the angst we feel today simply by making an effort to connect. I understand it’s difficult if you’re shy or an introvert or too busy. I understand it’s easy for extroverts and folks who easily move into relationships. When things are difficult for us, that is a a great sign. It is a challenge to learn, grow, and become more adept at something that was once difficult. When we connect with others, the world is a bit more friendly. When we connect with others, we gain an understanding of the other person and his/her struggles, beliefs, and dreams. When we connect with others, we discover we’re all in it together on a grand adventure on our trip around the sun. Connect, connect, connect. You’ll feel better.
I know a guy who always does things to the extremes whether it’s exercise, working, eating, or other endeavors. He’s frequently telling me about his aches and pains. He is unable to link his actions to the consequences he experiences in his body. There’s something to be said for moderation. It takes wisdom to know when it’s time to push the plate away. It takes wisdom to know when to stop exercising and enter a recovery period. It takes wisdom to know when to set work aside and relax. Acquiring the wisdom to act moderately is a giant step toward feeling good.
