Christian Science

Be connected to others. It’s good for your health

October 1, 2018 By Beverly Goldsmith Leave a Comment

“No man is an island”, so the saying goes. And it’s true. We need to be connected to others. As human beings we don’t live in isolation. We’re connected to others through our work, sport, church participation, clubs or community activities. We also have personal connections through family ties, friendships old and new, work colleagues, and neighbours. Having connections with others is important for our health and wellbeing. Togetherness strengthens us. It brings comfort. Health-bringing connections promote individual and collective happiness.

WHAT ARE HEALTH-BRINGING CONNECTIONS?

Health-bringing connections are wonderfully varied. They can be pleasant conversations, a friendly smile, a warm handshake, an expression of gratitude, a listening ear, or a common interest. Connectedness to others can also include simple acts of kindness, giving help, sharing ideas, offering or receiving words of praise.

WHY BE CONNECTED TO OTHERS?

Most of us have an instinctive need to be connected to others. This sense of being linked, helps us to thrive and prosper. It counters the feeling that we’re alone and have to manage everything in life on our own. Through our connectedness to those around us, we can receive love, encouragement, help and caring support. We can also pass these along. Being connected to others is worth our best efforts. So here are five can-do tips for you to take-up.

FIVE CAN-DO TIPS:

1. Strengthen your connections with others by bringing out the best in people around you. Reassure them that they’re doing well. Such encouragement will lift their spirits, and yours, and cement the ties of friendship and camaraderie.

2. Take the lead with others. Don’t wait for them to be friendly. Show them how it’s done. Be approachable, pleasant, warm and welcoming to everyone you come in contact with. Friendship is an active connection. “The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend”. Bible. Proverbs 18:24

3. Fortify the bond of connectedness. Allow yourself to join hands with people in unity, friendship, understanding and cooperation. “Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, — these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence.” Mary Baker Eddy. Science and Health p.58

4. Be inclusive of others. Don’t let someone’s race, appearance, politics or religion drive a wedge in your thinking and alienate you from them. Instead, strive to “be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender-hearted, and keep a humble attitude.” Bible. 1 Peter 3:8

5. Be socially reinvigorated. Don’t allow yourself to become disconnected or estranged from others. There’s an ever-present divine Love that cares for you, and everyone. That tender Love gives you the courage to repair a broken friendship, renew an old connection, establish a new one, and again have the joy of being connected to others. So go ahead. Be connected to others. It’s good for your health.

This article was first published on my previous blog site spiritualityandhealthconnect.com. It is published on Motherpedia. Was published in the OCTOBER 2018 edition of Around Point Cook and Around Altona Community newspapers in print and online via Issuu.

Give the gift of kindness. It’s good for your health

August 1, 2018 By Beverly Goldsmith Leave a Comment

Give the gift of kindness. It's good for your heath Kindness. It’s a wonderful gift to give …and receive. You don’t have to physically go out and buy this present, or wrap it in colourful paper and bows. You already have this perfect gift. Being courteous, thoughtful and appreciative, are positive, heart-and-mind qualities that you and I already possess. They’re ours to share freely with our family, friends and co-workers, as well as people working in our local post offices, supermarkets, and favourite cafés.

KINDNESS IS A FREE GIFT

Being a friendly, pleasant person costs nothing. Doing a kindness or good turn for someone without expecting anything in return, is a generosity of heart that can’t be bought. In fact, it’s impossible to put a price on kindness. So before you head out the door each day, why not take with you a spirit of caring and grace. Giving the gift of kindness is good for your health.

SIX TIPS FOR GIVING THE GIFT OF KINDNESS

1. Look for occasions to be a kind-hearted gift-giver – to express appreciation to others, to be encouraging or supportive. It’s such a treat for those you meet to be given respect and kindness – not because they’re nice to you, but because you enjoy being a nice person.

2. Help your children give the gift of kindness at home and school by being considerate and well-mannered. I’m so grateful that my mother taught me to say “thank you” to her, every time she gave me something or did something for me. It’s so natural now for me to be kind and thank everyone – the driver who stops for me at a crossing, the hospitality worker who makes, or brings me, my coffee.

3 Make the effort to share your kindness-gift at every opportunity. There are many instances with family, neighbours, co-workers or classmates where you can give them warm-hearted praise or special attention. Simple words of kindness grease the wheel of life making it more enjoyable for everyone.

4. When you leave home each day, take with you a gift-wrapped “heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Bible. Colossians 3:12

5. Be selfless, generous, kindly, forgiving. “If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us.” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p.9

6. If you’ve “had a kindness shown you,” pass it on. Be ready to give the gift of kindness, no matter what. You never know who it will bless. Your kind word or act could change someone’s entire day for the better. It’s why kindness, is good for your health.

This article was first published on my blog site spiritualityandhealthconnect.com. It is published on Motherpedia. It was published in the AUGUST 2018 edition of Around Point Cook and Around Altona Community newspapers in print and online via Issuu.

SLOW DOWN right away. It’s good for your health.

July 3, 2018 By Beverly Goldsmith 2 Comments

SLOW DOWN right away. It’s good for your health Hands up if you remember this 60’s pop-song by Paul Simon. “Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last”. To slow down right away and live a more meaningful life, is a message that still resonates today. Time flies by at a great rate, the traffic is hectic, everyone’s in a hurry to get somewhere, social media is constantly being checked, the family has to be here-or-there. Phew! If you want to prevent burn-out, stay safe while driving, and enjoy family life more, then it’s time to mentally slow down, be calm, ease up and remain cool. It’s do-able. You can slow down right away and find that it’s good for your health.

TIME TO MENTALLY SLOW DOWN

Have you noticed that drivers who speed by you in the car are often waiting at the traffic lights when you get there? What’s the rush! Are people so time-conscious, that they’re speeding because they think that time is short? There’s no hurry. Time is on our side. Right now we can exit the emotional fast lane, control impatience, annoyance and frustration, be calm, and mentally slow our thoughts down.

SIX TIPS TO HELP YOU SLOW DOWN

1. If you have to be somewhere by a certain time, start out early. Allow yourself plenty of time to get there. Don’t speed. Remain calm and unhurried at the wheel. Impatience won’t get you there any faster.

2. Slow your actions down. Take your time. Great haste makes great waste – meaning that when something is done too quickly mistakes can happen, and then the task has to be re-done.

3. Slow your thoughts down. Keep hold of your inner peace, no matter what. Do what you need to do quietly and calmly.

4. Slow your emotions down to achieve greater harmony at home and work. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” The Bible, James 1:19

5. Slow down and be patient. You’ll get the job done. The perfect solution will come to you. “Wait patiently for divine Love to… form the perfect concept. Patience must “have her perfect work.” Mary Baker Eddy. Science and Health p.454

6. Stop rushing through life. You’ll be amazed how much more of life you have time for. You won’t hurry through beautiful moments. You’ll linger and enjoy them. So go ahead and slow down right away. You’ll find that doing so is good for your health.

This article was first published on my previous blog site spiritualityandhealthconnect.com. It is published on Motherpedia. It was published in the JULY 2018 edition of Around Point Cook Community newspaper in print and online via Issuu.

Enjoy life right now. It’s good for your health.

June 4, 2018 By Beverly Goldsmith Leave a Comment

Enjoy life right now. It's good for your health. Enjoy life right now. It’s a simple message. An obvious one really. You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect at home or work before you allow yourself to enjoy life. It’s time right now to delight in every small moment – to stop and admire the flowers, laugh with one another, enjoy each other’s company. The reason for taking pleasure in what life has to offer, is that it’s uplifting, constructive and truly good for your health.

Yet how often do we find ourselves wishing for something more – money, friends, holidays, a better job. Such feelings of discontent take the shine off an otherwise perfectly good life and lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. The answer is of course to stop wishing away our days waiting for better ones to come along, and make the most of the moment at hand.

ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW

A friend who’d just retired after a long working life, was upset when a neighbour asked him what was his purpose in life, now that he no longer worked. The disturbing question threatened to spoil his happy retirement plans. Fortunately, he was reminded that his purpose now, as in the past, was simply to enjoy every minute of his life – which he happily proceeded to do.

SEVEN TIPS TO HELP YOU ENJOY LIFE

1. Enjoy life today. Stay in the moment. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow hasn’t happened yet!

2. Live life to the full. Delight in happy, rewarding activities. “Pleasure is no crime, except when it strengthens the influence of bad inclinations.” Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings p.362

3. Take time to enjoy family and friends. Relish every moment spent with them. Savour each communication with your kids or grandkids. Show your love and care for them.

4. Don’t take people for granted. Be pleased when you can do kind things for others. Cheer them up. Tell them they’re doing well!

5. Allow yourself the pleasure of feeling contented with who you are. Stop waiting for someone or something to make you happy. Be thankful for everything that’s good in your life, and be satisfied.

6. Work hard. Enjoy doing well at home and work. Take delight in all you achieve each day. “There is nothing better for people than to find enjoyment in their work.” Bible. Ecclesiastes 2:24.

7. Be gracious and humbly accept appreciation from others for your hard work, kindness, or continued encouragement. Gratitude comes from a spiritual source, so embrace it. Unwrap the gift of gratitude and take pleasure in it. It’s time to enjoy life right now.

This article was first published on my previous blog site spiritualityandhelthconnect.com. It is published on Motherpedia. Was published in the JUNE 2018 edition of Around Point Cook and Around Altona Community newspapers in print and online via Issuu..

Celebrate achievement. It’s good for your health

May 2, 2018 By Beverly Goldsmith Leave a Comment

Celebrate achievement. It’s good for your health. Put your hands together and celebrate achievement! Every achievement is worth celebrating. The achievement could be doing an outstanding job as a mother caring for the family, a long and happy marriage, a teen’s school graduation, a first pay cheque, doing extra-well at work, or running a successful website dedicated to sharing helpful ideas, or publishing 100 editions of a volunteer community newspaper. Whatever the achievement is, there’s no doubt that every life-accomplishment should be appreciated and applauded. That’s because acknowledging achievement can be a fantastic reward that encourages further attainments, and this is good for everyone’s health and wellbeing.

APPLAUD ACHIEVEMENT

An achievement that’s worth celebrating is the result of dedication, perseverance and persistence. It comes from a special effort to accomplish something worthwhile, or having the skill and tenacity to turn a dream into reality. To reach a significant milestone often takes courage and determination. But in whatever shape or form achievement comes, we can certainly be generous in acknowledging the good that’s been accomplished. So don’t be stingy with your praise! Show your approval. Activate the tips. Celebrate achievement, and promote greater health, happiness and success.

SEVEN TIPS TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT:

1. Be a supporter of hard work. Go out of your way to give praise. You don’t have to send balloons or throw a party to celebrate a job well done! Make the time to acknowledge what’s been accomplished. Send a friendly email or a heartfelt Facebook message.

2. Don’t hold back with your appreciation. Offer someone a great big “well done”. It will boost their confidence and spur them on to achieve more.

3. Tell your kids and your nearest-and-dearest that they’re ‘doing well’. My husband and I do this. We say to each other, “you’re doing well”. After a hard day, such words of reassurance give comfort and strength.

4. Cheer others on. “Encourage one another and build each other up…acknowledge those who work hard among you.” Bible 1 Thessalonians 5:11,12

5. Don’t be afraid to pay somebody a compliment. It shows that you understand how much time and effort it takes to do something well and achieve an excellent result.

6. Don’t be envious of what someone has achieved in their life. You too can accomplish great things. Discover that “ Mind is not necessarily dependent upon educational processes. It possesses of itself all beauty and poetry, and the power of expressing them…We are all capable of more than we do.” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p.89

7. Be generous of spirit. Make someone’s day! Go ahead and celebrate achievement. It’s good for your health, and theirs too.

This article was first published on my previous blog site spiritualityandhealthconnect.com. It is published on Motherpedia. Was also published in the MAY 2018 edition of Around Point Cook and Around Altona Community newspapers in print and online via Issuu.