Hello and good morning!
As this last Monday of March unfolds, I hope you remember this.
Butterflies cannot see their wings. But the rest of the
world can.
--You. You are beautiful and while you may not see it, we
can.
May this week unfold as one of your highlights and favorites!
#bekind
Hello Spring!
Saying goodbye may beBack in the day, during my nights as a waitress at a local popular restaurant known then as The Red Shield, I learned about a book from a fellow waitress. So enchanted was she by the book, she spoke of it constantly and there was no mistaking the excitement in her voice. The book, Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell, tells the fictional account of the life of St. Luke.
In the many spirited conversations between myself and other book loving waitresses, one also mentioned that Taylor Caldwell's books were based on her own past lives. Having just finished reading Ruth Mongomery's own account of reincarnation, titled Here and Hereafter, my interest piqued. This all took place shortly after one of Taylor Caldwell's other books, Captains and the Kings, aired as a mini-series on television. I can hardly believe this was almost 50 years ago.
And at that time, I made a mental note to add Dear and Glorious Physician to my books to read list. I started reading it in 1978 but abandoned it when life took several devastating turns.
Many times during the last fifty years I have thought about that book, but the title got pushed further down the list as my interests expanded and evolved. It's been said everything happens in its own time and place, and oh, how true those words are. Earlier this month I picked up Dear and Glorious Physician and every now and then I want to admonish myself for not reading it sooner. I fully understand why LaRae spoke so highly of it when I recall the tingle in the air and how her face lit up when she did.
But the one thing that strikes me is how people--human nature--haven't changed thousands of years later. The parallels between then (biblical times) and today astound me! I can honestly visualize the characters in this book as living, breathing citizens, politicians, and world leaders today. So much of what Taylor wrote in these pages is mirrored every day in the here and now.
I am barely half-way through the novel, but I can't deny each time I come to a passage about the state of Rome, in the back of my mind I remember hearing about the great 'fall of Rome.' And I begin to wonder if the same will soon be true of the country I love. My America.
I've been feeling disheartened lately spending time on the internet. When I first started this blog back in October 2004, the world was different. It's always changing, I realize that. But is this current change for the better? How will society benefit from all the anger, hostility, contempt, and general negativity I read and see displayed in comments and videos every day?
As an empath, I feel it affecting me. In response I take steps to avoid exposure to the reels, comments, and endless noise of disatisfaction being pumped out on social media; there are days I honestly believe someone or some group, with power and resources, are creating and backing this trend. It's like the dastardly villain we all know from childhood cartoons and stories is alive with the sole purpose of manipulating society toward their twisted vision of dystopia. I say this trend needs to stop before we all get sucked into a pit of despair with no chance of escape.
It starts with me. And you. The power of one.
I for one do not want to live in a world without love, compassion, generosity, or kindness. My intention is to follow my heart where it leads with kindness. Starting here. Starting now.
Spreading kindness...everywhere like confetti. Through information. If someone is lacking oxytocin, I know where to find it.
How kindness helps...
😊☑Increases self-esteem: Research has shown that all acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, have a positive influence on your self-esteem. Doing something nice for someone else makes you feel better about yourself!
😀Improves mood: Kindness provides a boost to hormones in your brain that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being. This phenomenon is called a “helpers high” because the pleasure and reward centers of your brain light up when you do something nice for another person.
⬇Lowers cortisol (stress hormone): Some data indicates that perpetually kind people have lower cortisol levels than the average population. More kindness means less stress!
💓Kindness is contagious…in a good way! The science of kindness continues to support the “Golden Rule” – do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When you receive kindness, you are more likely to express kindness to others. Start with one small act of kindness towards a friend, co-worker, or stranger because you never know how big of an impact you may have.
Kindness as a Treatment for Pain, Depression and Anxiety
According to Dr. Waguih William IsHak, a professor of psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai, “Mindfulness-based therapy is becoming increasingly popular for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. The therapy is built on mindfulness meditation, documenting your gratitude, and acts of kindness. People being treated in a mindfulness-based therapy program incorporate acts of kindness into their daily routines.”