June 28th, 2009
Reading Level: Leisurely
Regardless of the stresses you are facing, you have the power to choose your thoughts and, as a result, choose your well-being.
It may seem an illogical and impossible statement, but it is truth none-the-less. Regardless of your circumstances, you choose your thoughts, and subsequently, your state of mind and personal well-being. People throughout history have proven it true, usually in circumstances far worse than what most of us will ever experience.
One of my favorite examples is Dr. Viktor E. Frankl, whom I have mentioned before. He is an Austrian Jew who was sent to a concentration camp with his family during World War II.
We who lived in concentration camps can remember men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances. Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl
Whatever circumstances you are presently you going through, any situations you may yet face, Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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June 27th, 2009
Conquering Your Day-to-Day Fears (2 Part Series)
As the ideas of economic upheaval, threats and dangers of war, disease, or other factors beyond one’s ability vie for control of your thoughts, dealing with our fears is something each of us must come to terms with. Find some practical advice in these 2 posts. Enjoy the Listen Now option for these 2 posts before it expires this week!
Part 1: Is Fear the Center of Your Attention? Fear can control one’s life, altering your every decision. Freedom from fear only comes as you first start with the decision to remove fear from the center of your attention. Here is an illustration of why it is not healthy or responsible to stay focused on your fears…
Part 2: The Link Between Fear and Expectation Expectation plays a large part in what takes place in your life. Expectation affects your emotions as well as your responses to both people and circumstances. Read this clear explanation of how your expectations of either good or bad affects the situations in your every day life.
If you are new to Listen Now, have a post instantly read to you using the Listen Now button, download it to your desktop to listen later, or download it now to your iPod or Mp3 and listen on the go! The files are only provided by that company for 1 month from the date of posting; these expire over the next few days, so listen and/or download them before they are gone!
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June 26th, 2009
Reading Level: Leisurely
When is the last time you committed the random act of kindness which we all hold in so high esteem?
Gifting someone else’s life with an unexpected, and even undeserved, kindness is living at the peak of human character, achieving one of the most perfect elements of the human spirit. While most anyone believes that random acts of kindness are a part of the ultimate lifestyle and a thing a beauty in life, stress and busyness can prevent you from consistently thinking creatively enough to live out such acts in your own life.
People of great admiration throughout history have spurred us on to live a lifestyle of random acts of kindness.
I’m pasting a few quotes here from both secular and religious authors with links to 2 sites of quotes which you would probably enjoy reading as well.
Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. Mother Teresa
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profundity. Kindness in giving creates love. Lao-Tse
Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. Scott Adams(1)
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
Mother Teresa
Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstandings, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. Albert Schweitzer(2)
Rather than missing out on one of the highest joys of life by allowing busyness to steal from you those opportunities for random acts of kindness, decide to daily envision yourself as “clothed” with kindness. Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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June 21st, 2009
Let’s answer some questions as to what is safe exercise for diabetics, on checking with your doctor, and adjusting your glucose level. Information is based on article excerpts by Karen Kemmis, footnoted below.
What Exercise is Best?
Don’t groan about this one. In Part 1, we covered all kinds of common ways to increase activity in your daily life, but the truth still remains that aerobic activities are the most beneficial for people with diabetes and, more specifically, type 2 diabetes. Aerobic exercise should last more than 10 minutes and uses multiple muscle groups - preferably arms and legs - in a continuous movement. Aerobic activities should not make you short of breath.(1)
Should I Check First with My Doctor?
If you have not had a stress test, you should only do low-level physical activities until a stress test is done. Then, the level of exercise should be based on stress test results and what you are comfortable with. A good exercise program is 20 to 60 minutes, 4 to 7 days a week. If you are not in good enough shape to exercise this long, you can do several 10-minute sessions throughout the day to reach your exercise time.(1)
What Are My Exercise Choices?
If you did not read Part 1: Easy Activity Tips for Diabetes Prevention & Improvement, please use the above link for a great list of ordinary ways to add physical activity to your daily life.
Kemmis says that walking, stationary bikes, and swimming or water exercise are some of the good choices. Water exercise is popular because it is less stress on your joints. Another interesting choice Dr. Kemmis makes is exercise DVDs for walking, dancing, and even sitting! Sitting exercises, which many people do not know exist, are a great option for people with lower extremity disorders. Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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June 18th, 2009
This is Part 2 of easy, practical tips for preventing or improving your diabetes in your every day life.
In the first post, we discussed why simple daily changes can make a big difference in improving your diabetes or lowering your risk, as well as gave you 10 really easy ways to add movement and activity into your day. If you missed the first post, please click the above link for Part 1: Easy Activity Tips for Diabetes Prevention & Improvement.
Here are 15 easy-to-implement tips which will help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight, whichever you are in need of.
Notice for healthy weight you want a combination of food and activity tips. These are paraphrased excerpts from info by the National Diabetes Education Program.(1) My comments are in parenthesis.
1. Be physically active in some way for an hour every day. (It doesn’t need to be things we normally think of as exercise. It can be yard work, dancing, walking through the mall, vacuuming or other brisk housework, swimming, walking farther through a parking lot, etc.)
2. Choose mainly healthy foods.
3. Eat smaller amounts during both meals and snacks.
4. Don’t supersize your meals. Order a smaller size or split a large size with a friend.
5. Eat slowly and wait about 15 minutes before deciding if you are still hungry. It takes 15 minutes before your brain can tell if your stomach is full.
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June 14th, 2009
Reading Level: Leisurely
There are easy, practical tips for preventing or improving your diabetes in your every day life.
Most people cringe or feel hopeless at the mention of preventing or improving their diabetes through increased exercise or weight loss. However, various national diabetes organizations have put together very simple daily practices which anyone can implement to significantly prevent or improve his or her diabetes. So remove from your mind the images of having to turn yourself into a professional weight lifter, marathon runner, or strict vegetarian to better your life!
This is Part 1 in a 3-Part Series to give you some concise information to easily improve your diabetes or greatly lessen your risk.
Why try to prevent or improve your diabetes? Because it can work!
Chinese and American researchers found that diet and exercise programs for people at high risk for diabetes can delay the development of the disease. Over a 6 year period, 577 adults with high blood glucose levels who followed a diet and exercise program reduced incidences of diabetes by 51%. Even though diabetes risk normally increases with age, the study showed that over a 20 year period, good diet and exercise still reduced incidences of diabetes by 43%. (1)
Here are 10 Simple Ways to Increase Your Activity Level in Your Daily Routine:
1. Walk to places you need to go that are close by instead of driving (at times and to places that are safe to walk.). You may even want to wear a pedometer to keep track of your steps each day and challenge yourself to keep improving.
2. If you do drive, park as far away from the door as is safe.
Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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June 12th, 2009
Reading Level: Leisurely
How firmly do you hold to the vision of your destiny when circumstances appear to be working against you?
We each want a clear path to our destinies; do you succumb to discouragement and doubt when you are unable to see the full path, or when people and situations keep saying, “It won’t happen!”?
First, it is necessary to be clear about your destiny.
Know your life’s purpose. Along life’s journey to fulfill that destiny, you have a wide variety of needs or goals you desire to reach, such as better health, more successful relationships or communication, freedom from debt, or career changes. These goals are important steps in fulfilling your destiny and the person you are meant to be. To avoid being swayed by doubts or opposition, you must first “know that you know” in your heart what your purpose for being is.
Second, you must determine to believe in your destiny.
No one else can believe it for you - a spouse or a parent - if you are going to withstand disappointments or setbacks. If you believe that this certain path or accomplishment truly is your destiny, then keep in mind during setbacks or opposition that you will get there! It was meant to be; it was destined or planned before you were born. Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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June 9th, 2009
Reading Level: Gratifying
If you have a wide variety of health issues and have not been able to locate the source, you may want to check your B12 levels.
B12 is a vitally important nutrient in many bodily functions, yet studies show that 1 out of 4 adults in the US are B12 deficient, and nearly ½ the population has sub-optimal B12 levels. Most people over 50 are likely you are to have a vitamin B12 deficiency, as you absorb less with age. Strict vegetarians and vegans are at risk as the only dietary source are animal products. Studies in India show about 80% of adults there are deficient in vitamin B12.
Today’s research are excerpts from a newsletter by Dr. Joseph Mercola. Click here to read his full article. His B12 article is very lengthy, but if, after reading these excerpts, you feel that the info applies to you, you will probably want to read his article in its entirety.
B12’s Work in the Body
Take a look at this extensive list of B12’s involvement in your health.
- Proper digestion, food absorption, iron use, carbohydrate and fat
metabolism
- Healthy nervous system function. B12 builds the myelin which
insulates and protects your nerve endings, allowing them to
communicate.
- Promotion of normal nerve growth and development
- Help with regulation of the formation of red blood cells
cell formation and longevity
- Proper circulation
- Adrenal hormone production
- Healthy immune system function
- Support of female reproductive health and pregnancy
- Feelings of well-being and mood regulation
- Mental clarity, concentration, memory function
- Physical, emotional and mental energy
Common Health Risks from B12 Deficiency
This is a partial list of health problems for which a B12 deficiency could create increased risk:
Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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June 5th, 2009
Reading Level: Leisurely
Do you consider yourself an optimist? If not, it’s time to join this noteworthy group!Even if you consider yourself fairly optimistic, usually one always has room to improve on his or her optimism. Or, if you are pretty sure that being optimistic has not yet become a way of life for you, now is the time to change.
People throughout history of whom we view with great respect have been known for their optimism.
We admire them for it. They inspire us with it. It is time to join their ranks! In going through my personal file of famous quotes, I came across some that I had gathered from emails sent to me which I wanted to share with you. Benefit from the wisdom of these influential, optimistic people!
Sir Edmund Hillary was asked this question on goals. It may not appear to directly be on optimism, but I see part of his point being that your satisfaction is obviously in how you choose to view your achievements.
Question: “How does one know whether or not a project is worthy of his or her consideration?” Sir Edmund’s answer: “If you only do what others have already done, you will only feel what others have already felt. However, if you choose to achieve something that no one has ever done, then you will have a satisfaction that no one else has ever had.” (1)
Helen Keller on optimism dictating one’s goals or actions: Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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June 3rd, 2009
Reading Level: Gratifying
Expectation plays a large part in what takes place in your life.
Your expectations are important. Expectation affects your emotions as well as your responses to both people and circumstances. (This is Part 2 on Fear. If you missed the first post, “Is Fear the Center of Your Attention?,” please use this link to read it first.) It is easy to understand that if you are “expecting” a situation to go badly or “expecting” a person to respond to you negatively, you yourself will not speak or behave in the same positive manner as when you are anticipating good. This is how a person, by living according to fears, actually triggers situations to turn out poorly or people to respond to him negatively without even realizing his influence.
Mark Twain said,
I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.
Most of our fearful expectations never take place; however, the consequences of those fearful expectations in one’s physical health, relationships, and reactions to situations still produce negative effects that would not have been there if one was not expecting bad to happen.
When feeling the tendency to fear and expect negative outcomes, choose instead to focus your attention on good possibilities.
If your fearful expectations cause you to interact in a negative way with people and circumstances, then creating less than favorable results, Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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May 30th, 2009
Reading Level: Leisurely
As the ideas of economic upheaval, threats and dangers of war, disease, or other factors beyond one’s ability vie for control of your thoughts, where is your attention?
Fear is a major factor of everyday life in the times in which we live. It is a force that one must come to terms with. Fear can control one’s life, altering your every decision. It can change your health due to the stress it creates. It can steal creativity and rational thought. It hinders spiritual receptivity. It is a force that cannot be ignored or it will grow in control and dominate your life.
Make the decision to be in control of your thoughts.
It is vital to control your thoughts, rather than allowing them to have free, random access to your mind - the center of all your decision making. Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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May 26th, 2009
Reading Level: Leisurely
Laughter - It is something we all enjoying hearing, something we all enjoy doing. It has natural healing powers. It’s time to do more of it!
For over a thousand years, long before the realm of modern science, age old proverbs reminded people of the healing power of laughter,
A rejoicing heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov. 17:22
Dr. Don Colbert shares that laughter is one of his prescriptions to patients who come to be placed on nutritional programs. He has discovered that when he asks patients how often they laugh, most cancer patients respond, “I never laugh.” He prescribes 10 belly laughs a day for his patients. (1)
Research has shown a wide variety of healing aspects from laughter:
Pain Relief - A study of patients recovering from surgery showed that the group which was allowed to choose the humorous movies they saw benefited the most from the laughter therapy and required fewer pain-killers compared with a control group that saw none at all. (2) Other research has also shown laughter to increase one’s pain threshold. (4)
Lower Blood Pressure - Laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), and dopamine (4); stress hormones, on the other hand, increase the number of platelets, causing obstructions in the arteries and raising blood pressure. (3)
Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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