Thrive, Standing Tall
No matter how much it gets abused, the body can restore balance. The first rule is to stop interfering with nature. – Deepak Chopra Succeed and Soar‘s Thrive! shares insights that can improve life’s quality. This post presents “Posture, More Than Standing Straight.” The Cleveland Clinic defines posture as how we hold our bodies when sitting or moving, which can affect our health. Harvard Medical School says good posture is: Chin parallel to the floor Knees even and pointing straight ahead Body weight distributed evenly on both feet Read more In addition, Medline,The National Library of Medicine, writes that poor posture—slouching and slumping—can: Misalign the musculoskeletal system Wear away the spine Cause neck, shoulder, and back pain Make it harder to breathe and digest food Medline’s posture-improvement recommendations include, Stay active Maintain healthy weight Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes When sitting for long periods, Medline suggests, Take brief walks Keep feet on floor with ankles in front of knees Keep elbows close to body Make sure back is fully supported Barrington Orthopedic Services reminds that good posture: keeps bones and joints in optimal alignment and decreases wear and tear on supportive structures engages abdominal muscles, creating a sturdy and supportive core for entire body focuses on keeping body weight centered over the feet.” NOTE: Because so much more information about posture and overall health is available, check linked articles for more guides. Also see this post’s video [below]. The Importance of Good Posture, Even When Sitting Click Here to View Length: 4 Minutes See Also: Why It’s Important to Maintain Good Posture [1 Minute] Benefits of Good Posture [4 Minutes] This TEDx Murat DalKilinc is an animation that starts when clicked. Perfect Posture in 100 Seconds [6 Minutes] What Happens When You Sit Too Long [2 Minutes] This video is at bottom of article. Shop Succeed & Soar’s Mugs Ceramic Dishwasher and Microwave safe Two sizes: 11 oz and 15 oz View All Mugs Thanks for shopping!
Path to Joy 2023 #5: Generosity
All “Illustrated Wisdoms” in this 2023 Paths to Joy collection were created by splattering viscous Dylusions shimmer spray on 11×14, 98 pound, Canson mixed media paper, then spritzing with water to see how the colors would run and gather. When dry, stair steps were added to suggest climbing to the stars, a feeling Henry Ward Beecher must have understood when he said, Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven. And Frank A. Clark added, “Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out.” . Art is available with and without text. Shop Sandra’s Galleries. Two years ago, Succeed and Soar’s “Heroic Heart” post was inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, “We do not have to become heroes over night. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up.” A random act of kindness qualifies. Three years ago, the 2020 “Paths to Joy” post on Generosity offered Luther Vandross song, “Inside Every Heart is a Hero,” and Scientific American‘s report on the gifts that come from giving as well as the detrimental effects of stinginess. This post presents The Ascent’s findings that high-generosity people: Report greater satisfaction with friendships, family, romance and finances Are happier with what they have Experience higher self esteem And more That said, keep Suze Orman’s words in mind, True generosity is an offering; given freely and out of pure love. No strings attached. No expectations. And remember Scott Adams advice. ‘Generous people take care of their own needs first. In fact, doing so is a moral necessity. The world needs you at your best.” So, of the four steps Psych Alive suggests for practicing generosity, one is: Accept the generosity of others because, “it is important to let others do things for you.” This is called the generosity of acceptance. Read more. The Cleveland Clinic reports that generosity can encourage the brain to secrete chemicals like serotonin [regulates moods], dopamine [pleasure] and oxytocin [a sense of connection to others]. “Giving can stimulate your brain’s mesolimbic pathway, or reward center, while releasing endorphins. That can lead to a ‘helper’s high’ that boosts self-esteem, elevates happiness and combat feelings of depression.” Beyond these ‘feel good’ effects, researchers have found that “giving to others can lower your blood pressure and protect your ticker.” Read more. Imagine a home then neighborhood, next a city, country and world where people infect each other with energy that seeks one little way, each day to help another with grace and receive kindness with gratitude. Isn’t it worth a try? And why not start with support for Succeed and Soar. I’ll definitely be grateful! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. What happens when one who has so little is asked to help another? Brings to mind Margaret Cho’s words, “Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else’s life forever.” View here. Length: 2 Minutes & 38 Seconds. * Watch Dave Ramsey, an Evangelical Christian discuss how generosity builds wealth and influence. He also tells why God doesn’t need his 10% off-the-top-of-his-earnings tithing and donations. Length: 9 Minutes & 33 Seconds. View Here COMMENT Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Weekender Totes As well as beach towels, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more These chic weekender bags are 24” x 16” Soft spun polyester fabric Have double-stitched seams One-inch thick, white cotton handles Can spot clean or dry cleanhone styles. Either slim or tough case styles available. Price: $43.25 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors Shop Weekender Totes Visit Gallery Thanks for supporting!
Fats & Oils: The Good, The Bad, The Best
Consider Why are there never any good side effects? Just once I’d like to read a medication bottle that says, “May cause extreme sexiness.” – YourCards HEALTHY, HELPFUL FATS Length: 4 minutes, 50 seconds Click here to view. Imagine my amazement. Just when I swore to never eat fat while dieting, a weight loss coach told her class that our bodies NEED at least one tablespoon of fat a day. Why? Life Hack explains: Fat is essential to brain health. Fat keeps the lungs working properly. Fat boosts the immune system. Fat keeps our largest organ, our skin supple. See More: Here, the Cleveland Clinic explains the chemical makeup of unsaturated fats, which leaves them liquid at room temperature and less likely to gunk up arteries. Here, Healthline describes the four best oils for cooking [olive, avocado, sesame and safflower] and the four with low “smoking points” that should be kept cooler [fish or algae oil, flax, palm and walnut oils]. ‘Saturated Fats’ have a chemical structure that keeps them solid at room temperature. They come from animals [lard, tallow, schmaltz], dairy products processed meats and some plant oils [palm kernel and coconut]. Because saturated fats can increase LDL [bad cholesterol] and raise the risk of heart disease, they should be less than 6% of daily caloric intake. Read more. That said, Practical Self Reliance posts, “Animal fats can be a healthy part of any diet, especially from a grass-fed and pasture-raised animal,” Benefits include: Crisper, flakier, more flavorful food Less waste for those with a tip-to-tail lifestyle Read more While eating fried and fatty foods is among life’s pleasures, MedicineNet cautions that overeating could be cravings caused by: Deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins (E, D, K, and A) Pleasant, fatty-food memories Stress and more at: https://www.medicinenet.com/what_does_it_mean_if_you_crave_fatty_foods/article.htm In summarizing this post, keep Malcolm Forbes’ words in mind, Food may be essential as fuel for the body, but good food is fuel for the soul. Succeed & Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Video 19 FOODS THAT’LL NEVER MAKE YOU FAT 13 Minutes Click here to view. Video FOODS WITH HIGHEST HEALTHY FATS 2 Minutes Click here to view. Shop Sandra’s Gallery Click Here. Buy Sandra’s Art framed, on canvas, as posters as well as puzzles, shirts, infant onesies, phone cases, ornaments, journals, blankets, clocks and more. Each item is individually made, just for you.