SLAVES. SLAVERY. “MINDLESS LIVING”

     Currently showing in theaters everywhere: TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE, OSCAR nominated.    

      This film arouses various discussions on radio and TV. I recall listening to National Public Radio. The caller said she had boasted about her great-great grandparents. They were proud they had slaves, treating them as human beings.  That seemed to be the extent of their pride. Now, after seeing the movie, the radio caller was ashamed that she and her ancestry never realized the enormity of their having missed the point. The point: While they did not whip or torture their slaves, they were depriving them of the only thing that really counts, their FREEDOM.

     The point I feel compelled to make:  Too much of our general population, not knowing it, are still slaves!!  Aware people call it “mindless living.” If you honestly put your heart, soul, and mind to the thought, you would recognize that you are living as a slave (although unknowingly) to the thoughts of other people. I could mention reams of individuals slaving-away,

•   In jobs they do not enjoy. They know it. Sometimes they joke about their situation, knocking down “bosses” (business superiors), vocalizing  to friends their disrespect. Obviously, they put no effort in trying to enjoy their work. The slaves will tell you they do it for money or another reason.  To please someone else? Doesn’t matter. What matters is they do not enjoy their work. The biggest robber of LIFE, for heaven’s sake!
•   At unhappy marriages. One can understand a year with the wrong person. Maybe two, three years. Open your mind!  We live in an enlightened age. Unhappy situations require deep thinking. Talk it out with a qualified marriage consultant?  Spiritual advisor? You will know whom to trust instinctively. Another robber of LIFE. 

     Grow up!  You’ve passed the immature years of teen-age angst. Forget about regrets for whatever is past. Chalk it all up to immaturity. Why brood about mistakes and regrets you made in the past? PAST, GONE!

     There will be depressions, recessions, economic struggles – just as surely as optimistic outlooks, inspiration, and bursts of creative activity. 

     How will you as an individual react to all this? Lively, high spirited people like Bill Gates (Microsoft Billionaire) founded among other enterprises the “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.” Warren Buffett (American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist) pledged to give away 99 per cent of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily via the Gates Foundation. People like Paul Newman (formerly a well known actor and humanitarian) founded Newman’s Own Company. I see products at Whole Foods Market which Newman’s prolific family still keeps going. Today, people like young Taylor Swift (American singer/song writer) shares some of her wealth with various schools promoting children’s literacy, as well as helping victims of natural disasters. 

     In other words, individuals encounter challenges, excitements of rare living. The individual makes the difference which lasts!    

     Important: In America, we are instantly born into the land of real freedom.  It takes some of us longer to absorb this knowledge.  Fact:  we absolutely have freedom of thought. The choice is our own individual selves. We choose which thoughts to mull around our brain, which to discard immediately.

     This bit of wisdom does not come haphazardly. It requires loads of reading, meditation, prayer. I will not bore you with a glossary of authors, lecturers, books, magazines. Most my recommendations, bits of wisdom, common sense and so forth, arrive from two books in particular: THE PHILOSOPHY OF ERNEST HOLMES: Holmes Papers Volume I. Edited and compiled by George P. Bendall, L.H.P. (DeVorss Publications); THE SCIENCE OF MIND, Ernest Holmes (Putnam, 2010). From the jacket, “One of the hardest things for human beings to do is to know themselves and change themselves . . . written with great simplicity and clarity, shows deep appreciation of the need to understand how they can master their own lives.” 

NOTE: My April BLOG is on a lighter vein. We will share JOKES which keep us laughing. If you have certain jokes to share with us, send them before the last week of March. Thank you!

NO LAUGHTER IN YOUR LIFE? What a Pity!

       “Give Your Body a Boost with Laughter!” (R. Morgan Griffin in WebMD.)

        “I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off.”  Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, psychologist/ laugh therapist. “They might be healthier too.”

        “The definitive research into the potential health benefits of laughter just hasn’t been done yet.”  Robert R. Provine, professor of psychology and neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, author of LAUGHTER: A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION.  

           I wish I could tell you who wrote “The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter,” so proper credit could go to the writer, anonymous. However, the writing is too good not to report: “Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.”

The article goes on:

• Laughter is a strong medicine
• Laughter and emotional health
• Social benefits of laughter
• Bringing more laughter into your life
•     Developing sense of humor
• Using humor to overcome challenges
  

     While I applaud the multi benefits of laughter and its temporary relief of distressing emotions, there are times you cannot avoid feeling anxious, angry, or sad. What to do?                               

    Create opportunities to laugh:

    

• Watch a funny movie or TV show
•  Share a good joke or funny story
•  Play with a pet (You would be surprise at how pets can improve your mood)
•  Find where they conduct “laughing yoga classes”
•  Goof around with children. Miraculous creatures.
•  Make time for fun activities. For example, bowling, karaoke, mini golf, etc.
•  Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles. You will forget judgments, criticism, and doubts.

  Here are some ways to start:

                                        

• Smile. Smiling is the beginning of laughter. Like laughter is contagious.
• Count your blessings. Literally make a list. The simple act of considering the good things in your life will distance you from negative thoughts that are a barrier to humor and laughter. When you’re in a state of sadness, you have further to travel to get to humor and laughter.
• When you hear laughter, move toward it. Sometime humor and laughter are private, a shared joke among a small group, but usually not. More often, people are very happy to share something funny because it gives them an opportunity to laugh again and feed off the humor you find in it. When you hear laughter, seek it out and ask, “What’s so funny?”

     Developing your sense of humor. Take yourself less seriously.

As laughter, humor, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to your daily. Humor takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive creative, joyful, and balanced perspective. 

http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

RESOLUTIONS.

Did you make any resolutions for the year 2014 yet? If not, be glad. Lead the way into a friendlier, kinder, marvelous planet. Not only for 2014, but for every day of the new year, resolve to follow the suggestions from the Mental Health Association:

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          1. Any ACT OF KINDNESS you extend will inspire the person receiving it to extend the  act          of kindness to others.

2         2. SMILE. Plenty!

3         3. If it fits the occasion, ask “Can I help you?”

4         4. HUGS work miracles. Give at least three hugs per day.

5         5.Do one anonymous kind deed today.

6         6. Before you speak, ask “Is it true? Is it kind?” If not, simply don’t say it.

7         7. Be agreeable, act courteously, do not interrupt.

8         8. Do something positive to improve your health.

9         9. Avoid negative people.

1         10. Treat the elderly as you wish others would treat you.

1         11.  Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you LOVE them.

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The first and last word in kindness is the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

More than that, you may wish to do a bit of travel. Try to attend the 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning celebration at the Center for Spiritual Living, 12875 Fee Fee Rd. St Louis, MO 63146. You will find that full play will be given to your imagination. Visit the Center’s website CSLSTL.ORG, where you can download videos of the Sunday discussions. 

See you in February when the subject will be about LAUGHTER, which scientists say is a serious business.