Meditation Gratitude and Broccoli
Three things to make life better! Sounds funny but as I read about a variety of topics and ways to make life better, these three, keep showing up. The topic may be mental health, health, stress, fatigue, healthy eating, peacefulness – these are repeated as common themes.
I’ve meditated for decades even if not consistently. Meditation is on every list for better health on every level. Many people suggest meditation will help with stress reduction, clear thinking, anti-aging, for your heart and brain, managing anxiety, help with digestion (from beginning to end), reduce high blood pressure, help with weight loss, self-improvement, prayer, and connection to God (or whoever/whatever you want to name). I’m sure I’m missing something but this a good start. Even if it’s only for a few minutes AND there are many resources to help you. I use Insight Timer often and there is a yearly charge for this. There are many free apps to try too. I’ve tried Headspace and Calm and enjoyed them both.
Gratitude is a decades long practice for me. Gratitude is more of a lifestyle. It’s more common in my life than eating and less than breathing – gratitude is somewhere in-between. At first, I had to work at remembering to be grateful and gradually it became common without being mundane or un-noticed. I still stop and notice, my heart becomes full, and I smile. The list from above about meditation helping with struggles could be duplicated for the lifestyle of gratitude. Gratitude is helpful as a daily practice and even more impactful when becomes a character trait. Gratitude is easy at Thanksgiving and for the big things like our health and family. The weightier impact of gratitude is from finding multiple little things during your day like the sight of a blue bird, rain on my face, and my favorite instant gratitude – a smile.
Broccoli is a silly idea with truth. I prefer it cooked and has Vitamin C, Calcium and fiber (again probably more). As I read articles on nutrition someone is often saying eat broccoli for many positive health reasons. If it’s good for us physically, all those other parts of ourselves will benefit. We (within ourselves) are all one being, as we are all one together in our families, communities and beyond. I’ve been drawing and writing about this word (well two but I think of them as one) – all one.