| Christmas is almost here. We are being ushered into | | | | the giving attitude. |
| a beautiful time of acknowledging thoughts of giving | | | | For example, by tithing or volunteering our time in our |
| thanks, sharing, hope, and salvation. Our modern | | | | church or place of spiritual nourishment, we support |
| culture places a high value on spending, gift giving, | | | | programs that continue to bring people to Christ. We |
| and overextending ourselves with extra obligations, | | | | are promoting the nourishment and life of the spirit. |
| which can increase stress levels, especially during | | | | We also support those who are hurting or in need by |
| these uncertain economic times. However, we can | | | | helping to fund programs that provide for the |
| still choose to view 'giving' in a different light. | | | | physical or emotional needs of people in the |
| The benefits of giving of one's time, finances, kind | | | | community. Emotions of gratitude, love, and |
| thoughts and words is really about helping to bring | | | | appreciation which are attached to the act of giving |
| heaven here to earth. The positive emotions | | | | also benefit the 'giver' in profound ways. When we |
| associated with giving are very strongly linked with | | | | give, we bring a little bit of heaven through our |
| the production of life giving chemicals that circulate | | | | hearts and into the world. Everyone wins. |
| within our own bodies. These chemicals benefit us in | | | | Now, I know what you're thinking. In these difficult |
| many ways, including slowing the aging process, and | | | | times, how can we tithe if we are financially lacking. |
| keeping us healthy both physically and mentally. | | | | Giving, of course, comes in many different packages. |
| Research conducted over the past two decades in | | | | One of the 'gifts' of the recession has been an |
| the areas of biophysics and neurocardiology have | | | | invitation to reorganize our thoughts, time and |
| revealed some fascinating information about the | | | | priorities to focus more on people and relationships |
| special relationship between our emotions and the | | | | and less on material possessions. Christian tradition |
| biochemical make up of our physical bodies. Scientific | | | | uses gift giving as a remembrance of the Magi |
| studies show that negative emotions such as fear, | | | | presenting gifts to the baby Jesus to provide for his |
| anger, sadness, jealousy and greed actually create | | | | wellbeing. Giving another a physical gift is a wonderful |
| 'stress' and decrease the body's immune function for | | | | gesture of love and appreciation. However, gifts of |
| 4 to 6 hours after experiencing or acting on the | | | | time, togetherness, kind words, and service are just |
| negative emotion. Cortisol, which is touted as the | | | | as important, and extremely valuable in focusing on |
| 'death hormone', is released in larger quantities, which | | | | the relationship between you and the people you |
| causes a decreased renewal function at a cellular | | | | love and appreciate. After all it is the relationship that |
| level, and a quicker aging of our entire body. | | | | is most valuable. |
| Conversely, feelings of positive emotions such as | | | | We all have a very important part to play in bringing |
| love, appreciation, gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, | | | | heaven here to earth, and each and every moment |
| sharing and kindness increase the body's immune | | | | offers us an opportunity to choose how we will fulfill |
| response for 4 to 6 hours. DHEA, also known as the | | | | that role. May Christ live in your heart always and |
| 'anti-aging hormone' is released and perpetuates the | | | | guide your every thought, word and deed to be a |
| repair and renewal of the whole body. Giving with a | | | | light and a giver of life in this world. |
| 'glad heart' not only benefits the community as a | | | | Wishing you a Merry Christmas and the Happiest |
| whole, but also the individual who chooses to engage | | | | New Year. |