Gratitude for beauty and blessings improves health.
We spend so much of our time thinking about tomorrow, planning for tomorrow, working for tomorrow, hoping and dreaming for tomorrow. But tomorrow is never here, and we’ve learned that over and over.
We’ve seen so many examples lately of the value of living in the moment. There is value in loving those around you each and every day. You never know which is that last day.
Rather than be depressed about that, we can claim the joy and the opportunities of each day that presents itself to us.
Seasons of Loss
We have lost a dear friend in the last couple of weeks. He was someone who was always thinking of and giving to others. He was a very strong-in-his-faith man. He died in a freak accident doing what he does best – helping others. He was building a Habitat for Humanity house. We will never know what happened. The freak accident occurred, and he was suddenly gone.
A tiny baby died in his sleep at two months. There was so much promise there. Why was that child taken at such a young age?
Then we see the news stories of people harming one another. It seems there are more and more stories of mass deaths and of people managing conflict with murder.
The tragedies of nature have taken even more lives and wreaked havoc in many parts of the world.
It’s been such a heavy season of so many people taken at a time no one would have expected.
How do we keep moving forward?
So with that in mind, how can we live each day to its fullest? The more we live in gratitude and love and recognize the joys that are around us in spite of the tragedies, the more healthy we are. It lowers our blood pressure and anxiety levels. It lowers our risk for heart attack and stroke.
Gratitude and Love
Gratitude and love allow us to think so much clearly. They take us out of that worry mode and in to a more creative space in our brain. We think more clearly, can be more rational, and recognize the good when our brain is fully functioning at calmer times. This calm allows our breathing to slow. It allows us to really see the things around us rather than be so focused on what’s ahead.
I encourage everyone to take a deep breath. Love on the people who are around you. Look around with joy and gratitude at the many blessings that you do have.
Remember with fond memories, and hopefully with some tears and laughter, those who we’ve lost.
Let this be a day of renewed health and joy and love.
At Meds MASH we would love to talk with you more about the benefits of gratitude and love. You can reach us at www.medsmash.com/contact; michelle@medsmash.com; or 410-472-5078.
For further application check out this personal blog.
