DISCLAIMER:

live with physical challenges.
I am NOT a DOCTOR!!! I don't even play one on TV!!! It is my goal to live a more healthy lifestyle. Living well and being happy is what this blog is all about.

"Nothing,' wrote Tolstoy, 'can make our life, or the lives of other people, more
beautiful than perpetual kindness."

- Gretchen Rubin




I write about my own experiences and what works (or does not) for me. Nothing I write is to be taken as medical advice.

Only your health care provider, personal physician,Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor - I don't even play one on TV! This
or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.








Thursday, February 28, 2013

Glow Like a Firefly

It's Thursday and it's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  Today, I've asked my favorite poet and friend, Lucinda Berry-Hill, to help me convey thoughts about beauty in a way that I can not do - through poetry!  I hope that you will take a moment to brew some coffee, find a comfy chair and have just a little alone time - just you, your laptop, and coffee.  Enjoy these lovely poems from Lucinda's wonderful book, "Coffee With Jesus". 

God's Firefly

What was God thinking
When He made the firefly?
Was He thinking how beautiful
Summer nights would be?
What was He thinking
When He made their tails light up?
Was He thinking of the children
And the joy on their faces?
What was God thinking
When He made so many?
Was He thinking that together
Their tails could light a dark path?
What was He thinking?
Perhaps, that we should be like them,
Let our lights shine, and together
We could lead people home.

I want to be God's firefly.
 

**************************************************************
 
It is so easy to be swept away by the media's image of what a woman should look like.  In this day and age with technology being so advanced, it's important to remember that these images are not true!  Even the models who pose for these photos are not "good enough" - they have to be photo shopped like crazy in order to fit the "standard".  Unrealistic, unattainable and untrue! 
 
This may sound like a broken record to you, but God made you to be an individual.  He did not mean for all of us to be a supermodel.  I'll let you in on a little secret.  I've spoken with quite a few men on the subject and they all tell me that they don't want a woman who is so perfect!  Does that surprise you?  I have to admit, it surprised me!  
 
True beauty radiates from your soul - your spirit!  All the rest of that stuff - airbrushing and photo shopping - it's just fake and fluff.  If you have a happy, healthy soul, there's no way that you will not shine from within!  You can't help it!  That peace of mind and the happiness that abides in your spirit will show through in your personality and it will draw others toward you.  
 
I like to think of the human spirit as a firefly.  When we are at peace with who we are and feel true love and contentment inside, we glow!  It's my personal belief that the light in my soul is from the Holy Spirit.  His light shines through me and it can not (and should not) be contained.  
 
Does one firefly look at another firefly with envy or jealousy?  No.  The larger firefly does not look at the smaller one and say, "Sigh - I wish I could be a little firefly like you!"  The larger firefly just flies around glowing just as bright as it can.  Does the little firefly look at the larger firefly and say, "Oh - you are larger than me, so you should not be allowed to shine your light!" - ?  Again, no.  The smaller firefly just does what it was made to do - shine its own light with no regard to what any other firefly is doing.  
 
Be the firefly God made you to be.  Shine the light that God put inside you.  
 
I hope we are finally beginning to get it right.  The new skinny is called healthy!  Learn that lesson well.  Don't confuse thin with healthy because they are not the same thing.  If you choose to adopt a healthy lifestyle, stand back, prepare to be amazed and let nature take its course.  An old hymn just came to my mind.  "Let The Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me".  

Trust God, eat a healthy alkaline diet, get plenty of sunshine, drink plenty of water, get enough rest, exercise a little every day, laugh often and BREATHE.  Choose to be the happy, healthy, beautiful firefly God meant for you to be.  Glow like a firefly!     

 

 
 
Today is PUBLIC SLEEPING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!  Speaking of getting enough rest throughout the day.  I just have one question...  couldn't some of these people get - you know - fired for sleeping on the job??? 
 
 
My personal favorite!
 
 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Only One to Out-Do Is You


Eating disorders are not necessarily all about vanity, but they do involve a poor self-esteem as well as a distorted sense of self and body image.  I was anorexic for two years in junior high school.  Because I've been there, I want to address this issue of body image.  What was considered "sexy" in years past is much different than the standard set for today.  Somehow we got a message from the media that says, "The thinner, the better" - and we still have young girls with very poor self-esteems as a result.

In the days of WWII (1940's), many servicemen had posters of Jane Russell pinned up.  She was known as a "pin-up girl".  The 1940's sex symbol was not "skin and bones", but rather "curvy and seductive".  She was the "sex symbol" of the 1940's.  She was apparently not unhealthy, she lived to be 89 years old.  I'd say that's a nice long life, wouldn't you? 

It seems that somewhere along the way the ideal figure for women got a bit distorted and frankly - a little messed up! 

It seems to have happened in my generation (1960's).  I admit that I fell into the mentality that not only was thinner somehow better, but taller and thinner was better!  Today I still hear fashion models from the 1960's and 1970's do interviews and talk about how they literally had to starve themselves to keep their jobs.  Is it just me, or does that seem a bit - um...  wrong?

http://www.biography.com/people/twiggy-9512626

Twiggy seems to also be a very healthy woman.  She's now 69 years old and still going strong!  I honestly think that both of these women have their own unique image and appeal.  So, if these two women - who are poles apart in appearance can both be attractive, what in the world makes us as women believe that we are not attractive as well?  An eating disorder is not about vanity, but a distorted sense of self.  I wrecked my feet because I wore heels all the time, trying to be taller.  I was on every crash diet known to man.  I loathed my short stocky build - I hated myself! 

What makes you as a diabetic think you have to starve yourself or deny yourself life-saving insulin to make yourself into something that will be thin enough to be attractive? 

Have we gotten that cold and socially blind and calloused?  

Did you know that to even qualify to be a fashion model you must be at least 5'7" tall?  Believe me when I say I've wished to look like Twiggy - but at 5'2" tall and (we won't talk about my weight) - there was just no way that I was ever going to be genetically designed to be a Twiggy look-alike.  I knew at my height I had to give up my aspirations of ever becoming a fashion model.  So instead, I became a short secretary (we're now called personal assistants) instead.  The pay was not as good, but I got all the bagels and cream cheese I could eat every morning!  Arr arr arr...  a little diet humor there!

It was a long road back to begin loving me - the way I am - the person inside.  My God-given qualities and talents that need to shine for others.  There are things I know how to do that you don't.  There are things you know how to do that I don't.  To think that one is somehow superior to the other is just ridiculous! 

I grew up with a mother who hated the way she looked, so that's what was modeled to me (no pun intended).  I learned that if you could pinch more than an inch, you must be severely disfigured and ugly.  As I got older and dealt with my own thoughts, feelings, and internal dialogue, I finally began to realize that I am alright and could be attractive in my own way.  I also began to feel very sorry for my mother.  She was never happy in her own skin - and that's quite sad.  I loved her dearly, but wish she could have found more confidence in herself - she never shined like she could have.  She got in her own way.  It's exhausting to try to encourage someone to shine when they simply can't muster up the internal light in themselves!  I tried to help her - I really did.

The Summer before my first year of high school the most wonderful thing happened!  I received a letter in the mail letting me know I was chosen to be on the Falcon's flag team! I knew that meant in chilly temperatures I'd be dressed in shorts out on the football field - shorts!  Me?  YES!  I accepted the challenge, despite my mother's reminders that I was short and not exactly built like a cheerleader.  I remember thinking that she did not have self-confidence, but I will have self confidence and overcome my fear! 

I was sent to a wonderful camp that Summer.  I got to meet the other girls who were chosen for Wichita Height's flag team.  We trained with flags and learned so much.  I had so much fun and for the first time in my life, it was not about my stature, my weight or not being good enough.  I was about having FUN!  I made good friends and just had a blast! 

Being on the flag team in high school was the best time of my life, honestly!  We marched in parades and of course did half-time shows at football games.  I broke out of my old mindset that because I was too short to be a fashion model, I must somehow be unworthy to do anything of any real value in life.  I can flip a flag around with the best of 'em!!!    Photo #1 - our fearless leader, Howard Pitler.  Photo #2 - I'm standing behind the guy with the bass drum.  Photo #3 - marching along with my flag to the side.  Yeah, I think every time the flag moved, my dad took another picture!  LOL!!!  Bless daddy's heart - he was always in my corner!  I think he should have been a cheerleader!  He'd have my hide if he could read this! 

Perhaps this is a revelation that only comes along with maturity, but on the day I accepted the challenge to be on the high school flag team, it dawned on me that I don't have to look like Jane Russell.  I don't have to look like Lesley Hornby.  The only person I have to look like - is myself - and even more to the point, the only person I have to look or behave better than - is me!  I'm no longer in competition with anyone else!  What a wonderful sense of freedom there is in just being the best Linda I can be - without worrying about what anyone else is doing.

So I declare here and now...  I am Linda.  Nobody will ever be a better Linda than me.  I am short and stout (like a little teapot), but what I lack in height I make up for with a perky personality!  I'm not perfect, I will never be perfect.  I'm happy most days and try to keep a positive attitude toward life.  If you love me that's great.  If you hate me, I believe that's your character flaw, not mine.  I don't change for anyone ever.  I don't hate anyone ever because I'm just too busy loving people and trying to help them.  A more loving world begins with me and I intend to show kindness and love just as often as I can.  What if we all made that commitment?

I challenge you to make the same declaration.  Declare today that you are not going to try to imitate anyone else - famous or otherwise.  Declare today that you are just going to be the very best YOU that you can possibly be.  Experience the freedom that comes with independence of being yourself!  You were not made with a cookie cutter!  You are a human being - a complete and whole individual.  You are a blank canvas - now...  go PAINT a masterpiece!!!

Body image issues.

http://youtu.be/HWjsb_gmTnQ

I'm happy to share this beautiful poem with you, written by my friend Lucinda Berry Hill, author of "Coffee With Jesus".  I love this poem.  There is no mention of Rebekah trying to be anyone but her beautiful self! 



Beautiful Rebekah
She was very beautiful
It says so in the book.
It says she was a virgin
But not a word on how she looked.
The bible doesn’t’ tell us
The color of her eyes.
It doesn’t say her hands were soft
Or her smile was so bright.
The bible doesn’t tell us
About the length of her hair.
Doesn’t tell us of her shape
Or that her skin was oh, so fair.
It says she showed gentleness
To a stranger from afar,
And humility when she served him
Water from a jar.
She showed strength and perseverance
When she offered to do more;
When she watered his ten camels
Until they drank no more.
She showed kindness and compassion
When she answered his request
And took him to her father’s house
Where he could find his rest.
God was good and chose Rebekah
For Isaac to be his wife,
For she was very beautiful
In the way she lived her life.


 
Today is NO BRAINER DAY!!!!!!!!!!!  A day to just give your brain a little refrain and go ride a train in the rain.  Whew...  sounds like I've started celebrating already!!!  Have fun!



Today is also INTERNATIONAL POLAR BEAR DAY!!!!!!  I would not recommend that you hug a polar bear, but since we are celebrating "No Brainer Day" - you may want to hug a polar bear, I don't know!  Either way - make sure you enjoy your day and celebrate responsibly...



           Don't DO IT, little penguin!!!


 
    

 

 






 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Diabetics and Eating Habits

This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.  Since for a diabetic a great deal of time is dedicated to thinking about food and what it is composed of, is it any surprise that most diabetics have some form of eating disorder?  I was not surprised in the least.  This is particularly true for Type 1 Diabetics who abuse insulin to lose weight.

I grew up with a compulsive dieter.  My mother was on a diet her entire life and never happy in her own skin.  I'm not blaming her for my bad relationship with food, but it does have an effect on a child when you see your mother loathing herself in a full-length mirror. 

In the 21 years that I've been a Type 2 Diabetic, I have come full circle with my relationship with food.  Actually, back in high school and college I restricted my caloric intake to around 600 calories a day.  Back then I walked from one end of campus to the other for classes, so I was in pretty good shape.  There's a price to pay for restricting your caloric intake so severely.  Eventually when you do begin eating a little more, your body says:

"Wow - we'd better store all this in fat cells, 'cuz who knows when she's gonna eat again?  We might need to use this later when she decides to cut her caloric intake crazy low again!" 

Well, I'm paraphrasing - but you get the idea!

Then when you gain weight - you not only gain weight, but fat! 

 
Oh - and cutting your caloric intake and eating unhealthy foods - that doesn't work worth a rip either.  I have done that.  It leaves you feeling very lethargic and hungry for some real nutrition.  Back then, nobody really talked about healthy eating - everything was all about low calories and food that tastes good (a.k.a. processed).  The processed foods (lunch meats, etc.) did not offer anything of real nutritional value.  Thankfully, the focus these days has turned to real unprocessed fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes with organic lean protein. 

My old diet was pretty pathetic really.  "Diet" everything - I ate an apple and a yogurt for my lunch - that was about as healthy as it got.  This was before my diagnosis, so I wasn't overly concerned about sugar content back then either.  Yogurt back in the day was not exactly low in sugar.  Add an apple and wow - I was probably getting more than the recommended amount of sugar!  Isn't hindsight great?  The good news is, I did not drink soda with it - I did actually drink water which is good.  I can't say my motive was health - I just didn't want to spend extra money on a soft drink! 

Once I got out into the real world and began working, I discovered a new eating disorder called emotional eating.  In school I never felt a lot of pressure, but once I left there and started a job - there's where the real pressure began! 

It was not the right thing to do, but I turned to food because food was always there.  In an office - trust me - food is always there!  Someone is always having a birthday or you know there's always that one person who thinks they have to bring cinnamon rolls to the office to suck up - (well, usually that's what the reason is).  Temptation is always just around the corner in an office!

If I got chewed out by the boss or a co-worker, off to the little kitchenette I would march - fighting back tears and grabbing whatever cake or cookie or pie or cinnamon roll was available.  I was an equal opportunity junk food junkie - it didn't matter what form it came in.  Still fighting back tears, I got a cup of coffee and whatever crap food was setting around and went back to my cubical and stuffed my face and licked my wounds.  I did that for ten years.  Ten very self-destructive years!  I gained 80 pounds and dove right into Type 2 Diabetes.  Self-destructive behavior cost me my health!



You know, everyone says, "Don't take it so personally - it's just business."  I've been wanting to say this for the longest time - and since this is my blog and I should feel free to express my personal opinion - I'm going to.  When someone dogs my hard work and then tells me not to take it personally, that is the most confusing concept to me.  Why would I NOT take that personally?  When I do the very best job I can for someone - pour my heart and soul into a project - and then have my boss or a co-worker or the janitor or whoever, walk up to me and let me know that all my hard work was in vain and a waste of my time, the company's time and that I'm probably not smart enough to have been hired for the position in the first place, I'm sorry - but I tend to take that personally!  

Maybe it's my fault for trying too hard, I don't know.  I did work with some people who did not put a lot of effort into their work and they seemed to sail through just fine.  I was raised with something called a work ethic.  You do your very best and you are rewarded for it.  The problem with that is, sometimes you do your very best and you hear that it's not even almost good enough.  That's when it stings.  Anyone who tells you that it doesn't - they are either very thick skinned or they are lying. 

Yes, thank you, I do feel much better now!  I didn't even eat a cupcake and my heart feels much lighter right now.  I've really needed to vent that opinion for a long time.

My favorite woman in history is Eleanor Roosevelt.  My favorite quote is:


Today - I am blessed to be my own boss.  I  have a much better relationship with food and no longer use it to make myself feel better.  Today I have learned to stand up for myself instead of hunkering down in a cubicle and eating myself to death.  I have a new attitude and it puts me and my health at the top of the list.  Everything else can go by the wayside. 

There is not a boss, a co-worker, a job, a man, a situation, a friend, a relative, anyone or anything that is worth me losing my health ever again! 

It's not going to happen because I am worth taking care of and I am worth saving!  No matter what anyone wants to throw at me these days, I will not use food to comfort myself.  I will yell, scream, work off the stress with exercise - but I will not stuff my face with food.

Food and I have had a very unstable relationship in the past.  Since I have adopted an alkaline lifestyle, the relationship is much better because I no longer live to eat, but eat to live.  I look at food in a different way now.  Food is fuel.  It's either good fuel or it's bad fuel.  It's no longer about comfort but it's about health.  The question I ask all food is:

"What can you do to make my health better?  How will you help me function better today?" 

Yes, I talk to my food.  No, it has never talked back.  I had you worried, didn't I?  Oh well...  I've had you worried before - I am sure I'll have you worried again. 

This is such a sad trend:  Diabulimia in Type 1 Diabetics:  Cutting back on insulin to lose weight. 

http://youtu.be/VYMJP1tgID0

Hey!!!  Today is WORLD PISTACHIO DAY!!!!!!!!!!!  I can definitely get behind this holiday - pistachios are one of the healthiest nuts.  I'm going to enjoy a handful of pistachios today and I hope you do too!!!!




Newspaper headline:

Lung Cancer in Women Mushrooms

So, I guess there is no lung cancer in men mushrooms, right?

Monday, February 25, 2013

Wellness and Aging Hair

I Love Grumpy Cat!!!
It's not easy for me to admit this fact, but I am getting older.  There, I said it, in print even!!!  Age, they say, is just a number.  Well, no matter what "they" say, age is not kind and can be downright mean to a woman.

I've never considered myself to be a vain person, but lately I have noticed that the part in my hair is getting wider, which gives me reason to freak out a little bit.  My Aunt Mary (mama's sister) used to say, "Linda, you'll never have to worry about losing your hair because it is so thick!"  She was a very successful hair stylist in Hollywood, California, and took care of a lot of the old Hollywood actresses from the 1940's and 1950's.  I trusted what Aunt Mary told me and believed her. 

Both my mama and my Aunt Mary have been in heaven for nearly a decade now, and time has kept marching on.  I don't necessarily need a product like Rogaine, but I've been on the lookout for something to keep so much hair from falling out every time I wash and fix my hair.  It's alarming how much hair is left in my hairbrush!

One possible solution is essential oils.  Essential oils can help reduce hair loss.  The Hair Loss Blend consists of:

3 drops thyme essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops sage essential oil
3 drops cedarwood
1/8 c. grapeseed oil
1/8 c. jojoba oil

Massage about 1/2 teaspoon into scalp before bed.  Rosemary is a great scalp stimulator.  This is supposed to help minimize hair loss and help with regrowth.

In doing research on this subject, I've found that basically the healthy condition of the hair depends on the intake of sufficient amounts of essential nutrients in the daily diet.  Persons with a tendency to lose hair should take a well-balanced and correct diet, made up of foods which, in combination, should supply all the essential nutrients. 



Foods such as nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits would provide adequate amounts of all the essential nutrients.  Each food group should be represented at all three meals.  A small amount of lean animal protein such as liver is acceptable.  Snacks should consist of either a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit.

So, if I'm reading this correctly, my diet is alright (although you could not pay me to eat liver of any kind).  If it's Iron I need - I do take a multi-vitamin every day and I eat plenty of broccoli which has Iron in it.  

I also read where if you rub the scalp with fingers after washing the hair with cold water it will prevent and treat hair loss.  The scalp should be rubbed vigorously till it starts to tingle with the heat.  It will activate the sebaceous glands and energize the circulation of blood in the affected area, making the hair grow healthy.

Lately I've been trying a new part in my hair.  I hope I don't end up like some of those guys on TV - you know the ones - they keep parting their hair a little further over until they finally have a part clear down to their ear and do the comb-over thing!  I'll buy a wig before I'll do that - guarantee!

Well, I'm blessed to have the opportunity to grow older - many people are denied the privilege.  There are just some challenges along the way and yes, it's part vanity - but I care about what I look like.  I think most people do.  I've never been this old before - and I'll never be this young again!  It's just life and we do the best we can with it!  Just laugh and go on, I suppose! 

♥ღღღღღღღღღღ.❤.ღღღღღღღღღღ♥
. . .♥`.`.`.`♥.`.`.`♥.`.`♥.`.`. .♥. . .
.`.`.♥May You Have A Blessed♥`.`.
.`.`. . ♥ And Joyful Monday ♥.`.`. .
. .`.♥.`.`.`♥.`.`.♥`.`.`♥.`.`.♥. . . .
♥ღღღღღღღღღღ.❤.ღღღღღღღღღღ♥

I Love "Mama's Family".

http://youtu.be/dciOI-Ok23Q


Today is PISTOL PATENT DAY (SAMUEL COLT)!!!!!!!!  Celebrate!!!!!!!  How???  Not a clue.

Draw, Pilgrim!!!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Inspiration from Sam Peters

I have a lot of friends in the diabetic online community (DOC), but one that has inspired me the most is Sam Peters.  Today I asked Sam to share his story here on my blog.  Take a listen to this - it's been quite a journey!

SAM LOST 180 POUNDS!
BIOS LIFE SLIM WORKS!!
Congrats to Sam Peters for losing 180 lbs and wining $7500!

http://www.pgdnews.biz/sam-peters-success-story.html

My name is Sam Peters before getting on Bios life slim.I weight 550lbs 24" neck 78" waist & 44" thighs.I was on 12 medication & insulin.I lost 97lbs in 90 days & got off my insulin & 10 of the meds .I lost 240lbs in 2 years & lost 30 pants sizes & over 100".Its so nice to be living the dream of getting skinny.
At 516 pounds, Sam said he was on twelve different medications!  That blew me away!  I counted the number of pills I take every day.  Thyroid, blood pressure, 2 diabetes meds twice a day.  I also take fish oil and a multi-vitamin.  But I wonder if I could do even better?  I think I can. 

Success stories like Sam's serve to remind us of what can happen when we make up our minds to make a change!  Everything begins with a thought - every action, whether it be good or bad, begins in the brain.  If you have made a decision to change yourself, there is nothing that can stand in your way.

I'm not for one moment going to suggest that you will get $7,500 for getting your weight off and getting more healthy, but I will guarantee that with improved health, some of those medicines you are currently taking will more than likely not be necessary anymore.  You may not get that money, but you will feel like a million bucks! 

My story is not as dramatic as Sam's - but when I lost 80 pounds, I was able to get off of insulin.  I've been told that not many diabetics are able to get off of insulin once put on it.  It's a small thing - but it means a lot to me.  I keep a box of needles out in plain sight - just to remind myself of where I used to be and where I never want to go again.  I have not taken an insulin shot in over a year.  My HbA1c is still at around 6.  This is a good thing!

Thanks to Sam for allowing me to share your story here today!  When I asked him if I could share it, he humbly said, "If it will help someone else - sure!"  Well, it's my hope that as you listen to his story, you will make the decision to get healthier - and ultimately happier!

 
How does Bios Life Slim burn fat? 

http://youtu.be/7UJXGlDrtis



Hey - today is NATIONAL TORTILLA CHIP DAY!!!!!!!!!!  I'm going to suggest some Mexican food tonight for supper - do not forget the guac - Ole'!!! 








Saturday, February 23, 2013

Keep Your Heart Happy

February is Heart month, so I want to talk about some facts regarding not only heart health, but heart happiness.  We all know that it is important to eat right and get plenty of exercise and plenty of rest, but do we know how to keep our hearts happy?  There are a few ways to protect your heart from sadness, which is bound to keep it healthier.
  1. The most important attribute for heart happiness is a positive attitude.  If you have a glass and if it is half full, this is a great first step toward great heart health.  I had a heart surgeon take me aside just before my husband went in for open heart surgery.  She let me know that I should never shed any tears in front of him.  She told me to be positive at all times when I'm with him.  I've done my very best to do that.  A positive attitude goes a long way.
  2. Have you heard the old saying, "Laughter is the best medicine"?  Well, it turns out, laughter makes your blood flow more freely.  There are also medications that heart patients take to help with that, but the best medicine is really a good belly laugh!  I subscribe to a couple of websites that have funny clean jokes - and they send me a joke every day.  I love to laugh - it's one of my favorite activities. 
  3. If you want to instantly calm your nerves, hold hands with someone.  A study two years ago by the U.K.-based charity Abbeyfield that found 80% of those surveyed associate holding hands with romance.  Another study by University of California found that when women are touched by or even just see their significant other, it has an anesthetizing affect and actually reduces pain.
  4. Seeing that person that your heart goes crazy for can give your heart a workout.  I'm not sure that can be compared to a half hour workout on a treadmill, but it certainly can be said that it makes your heart very happy.
  5. When was the last time you wrote a love letter?  Yes, those happy thoughts you put into that little letter release endorphins and cause you to get chills up and down your spine.  This makes your heart sing and it can also lower your LDL cholesterol.  Want some endorphins and butterflies???  Write your significant other a love letter.  Endorphins - I call them endolphins (it's a moment from one of my favorite movies "Postcards From the Edge"). 
  6. Are you familiar with the term "hug it out"?  Well, as it happens, hugging it out releases oxytocin and removes stress from the body.  These are good things - so hug your favorite person today.  You could go hug your worst enemy too.  Would that leave them confused, or what???
  7. Do you know why so many older people suffer with high blood pressure?  You may say it's due to poor diet or lack of exercise, and in part that may be true.  Most older Americans are completely alone much of the time and as a result they have higher blood pressure.  Loneliness is the single worst contributor to high blood pressure.  There are studies backing up evidence that spending a significant amount of time with a loved one helps lower their blood pressure.  I'll tell you a little secret:  It probably lowers yours too!  Human beings were created for relationships.  Enjoy your loved ones just as often as you can.
 
What the world needs is people who have come alive!
Are you following your joy?

http://youtu.be/941eHxlqNXU


Who are you thankful for today???  Take a moment to express your gratitude!!!  It not only makes their heart happy, but yours as well.



Today is TENNIS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  In my neck of the woods, it's a little chilly to be out playing tennis yet, but if you know a great tennis player, today would be a wonderful opportunity to contact him/her and let them know you're thinking of them on this day!