Good Morning from Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island
Put the kettle on; it's time to warm up to waking up.
Storm chips are in the pantry; bring it on, snow, hail, and rain; we are in for quite the weather today, and we're ready.
We live in a beautiful part of the world. Neighbours look out for each other, and if trials arrive, help is a heartbeat away.
It seems Islanders are moving up the life expectancy charts. Ever so slightly, but it is going in the right direction. Perhaps there has been more kindness given on the Island in the last ten years.
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
The significant part of random acts of kindness is that there are benefits to the receiver and the giver.
-
Recipients of kindness can feel loved.
-
Recipients and givers of kindness can experience a sense of awe when they think about profound acts of love or virtue.
-
Whether you are a recipient or giver or a witness, you can feel the benefits of an increase in oxytocin. Oxytocin is commonly called the "love hormone." It helps lower blood pressure, improve heart health, increase self-esteem and optimism.
-
Kindness can increase the feeling of strength and energy due to helping others.
-
Kindness can also make one feel calmer.
-
Less depressed.
-
Increased feelings of self-worth.
-
People who volunteer their time or money for charitable causes often have fewer aches and pains.
-
Kindness is similar to a medical anti-depressant. Kindness pushes your body to produce serotonin. Known as the "feel-good" chemical provides healing and calming feelings.
-
Kindness decreases pain by generating endorphins (the brain's natural painkiller).
-
Stress shows people who are more kind have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population.
-
The University of British Columbia did a study on a group of highly anxious individuals. The study group performed at least 6 acts of kindness a week. After one month, they saw a significant increase in positive moods. Also, an increase in relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance.
-
It reduces depression. It delays mortality. And improves well-being and good fortune when we give of ourselves.
-
Lowering blood pressure from giving acts of kindness creates emotional warmth. It releases a hormone known as oxytocin. And this reduces blood pressure.
Thank you to Positive Psychology for this list.
KINDNESS, by Naomi Shihab, a poetry video
"Kindness makes you the most beautiful person in the world,
no matter what you look like." ~ Anonymous
I found this idea encouraging. The idea of 3-D Printed Homes for Homeless is fantastic.
In a tiny village on the outskirts of Nacajuca, Mexico, builders are creating new homes using a novel tool: an oversize 3-D printer.
Amazing…
“A great song should lift your heart, warm the soul and make you feel good.” – Colbie Caillat
This week I enjoyed listening and watching two Eva Cassidy documentaries.
Who doesn't love her angelic voice.
The first video is her band reminiscing the night they fortunately filmed the live sessions. Unfortunately, she passed away weeks later from cancer.
Restored footage of Eva Cassidy performing at the Blues Alley jazz club on 3rd January 1996.
