Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Kenneth Davis

   SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     September 29, 2024: A call goes out to those who truly trust in Me and fulfill My purposes on the earth. I will bless those who wholeheartedly live a life of truth and righteousness; those who will represent honesty, justice and innocence in word and deed. Come, and allow your life to be an example of My goodness, says the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  
TODAY'S WORD - WHOLEHEARTEDLY

     In this universe it is Love that binds everything together. Love is the very foundation, beauty and fulfillment of life. Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race, or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love. To awaken this unity-and to spread to others the love that is our inherent nature-is the true goal of human life. The first step in spiritual life is to have compassion. A person who is kind and loving never needs to go searching for God. God rushes toward any heart that beats with compassion-it is God's favorite place. Fill your hearts with love and gratitude. Life gives us what we need and not necessarily what we want. It follows its own wisdom, which is often incomprehensible to our gross minds. We should learn to accept situations in life. This attitude of acceptance is the secret to happiness.
     Happiness depends on how you accept, understand and surrender to situations. If you have patience, then you'll also have love. Patience leads to love. If you forcefully open the petals of a bud, you won't be able to enjoy its beauty and fragrance. Only when it blossoms by following its natural course, will the beauty and fragrance of a flower unfold. Love is the very foundation, beauty and fulfillment of life. If we dive deep enough into ourselves, we will find that the one thread of universal love ties all beings together. As this awareness dawns within us, peace alone will reign. Those that have an attitude of service towards others are the beauty of society.
     Most people are concerned only with what they can get from the world, but it is what we are able to give to others that determines the quality of our life. Make a firm decision: 'Whatever happens, I will be happy. I will be strong. God is always with me.' Learn to be thankful to everyone, to the entire creation, even to your enemy and also to those who insult, because they all help you to grow. In today's world, people experience two types of poverty: the poverty caused by lack of food, clothing and shelter, and the poverty caused by lack of love and compassion. Of these two, the second type needs to be considered first because if we have love and compassion in our hearts, then we will wholeheartedly serve those who suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter.

Mata Amritanandamayi

Kenneth Davis

   T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   
TODAY'S WORD - COMICS

     People who don't use the tools given to them only injure themselves. I face every project the same way - do it right and give 110%. 100% isn't good enough. So many comics have such low self-esteem. I hated stand-up. My driving force is spirituality. I've played piano and guitar when I was younger. And I used to listen to a lot of jazz. Voice is my instrument. Singing was the big focus and outlet for me. My family is very theatrical. I got an early education from television.
     When I was five years old I knew I wanted to act. I was a shy little girl, nothing like what I am now. We always performed for our church, but we also just performed whenever the family got together. There is a class system in acting just like in anything else. Black females fall in a category below black male actors. This business is all about being seen, and the more people see you the better. I'm not the classic type - fair skin, very beautiful women of a classic type, I'm talking about now. I fit into the quirky, character class type of actor. It's all about humanity, humility, and integrity.

Debra Wilson

Kenneth Davis

IT'S TIME FOR 
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     October 1, 2024; When health issues continue to plague you, do not give up. Bolster your faith and seek Me earnestly for healing, says the Lord. Refuse to feel sorry for yourself, and never doubt My ability to perform miracles and to set you on the path of recovery. I am the God that heals. Psalm 30:1-2 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.

   T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N
TODAY'S WORDS - YOUR FAITH 

     Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have nonsense respected. We gain nothing by being with such as ourselves. We encourage one another in mediocrity. Let us live for the beauty of our own reality. My theory is to enjoy life, but the practice is against it. Let us live for the beauty of our own reality. We were happier when we were poorer, but we were also younger. The only true time which a man can properly call his own, is that which he has all to himself; the rest, though in some sense he may be said to live it, is other people's time, not his.
     I have something more to do than to feel. The measure of choosing well, is, whether a man likes and finds good in what he has chosen. I am determined that my children shall be brought up in their father's religion, if they can find out what it is. It is good to love the unknown. I could never hate anyone I knew. Anything awful makes me laugh. I misbehaved once at a funeral. Is the world all grown up? Is childhood dead? Or is there not in the bosom of the wisest and the best some of the child's heart left, to respond to its earliest enchantments? I'd like to grow very old as slowly as possible. We grow gray in our spirit long before we grow gray in our hair.
     The greatest pleasure I know, is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident. Surely it is a matter of joy, that your faith in Jesus has been preserved; the Comforter that should relieve you is not far from you. But as you are a Christian, in the name of that Saviour, who was filled with bitterness and made drunken with wormwood, I conjure you to have recourse in frequent prayer to 'his God and your God,' the God of mercies, and father of all comfort. Your poor father is, I hope, almost senseless of the calamity; the unconscious instrument of Divine Providence knows it not, and your mother is in heaven. My motto is: Contented with little, yet wishing for more.

Charles Lamb

James Stone

Kenneth Davis

T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N
TODAY'S WORDS - BE THANKFUL

     Unless you're flat out dead, you have to think of some other questions like: what's on the other side? It brings up issues of God, or no God. How does he play into this? Or he, or she, or it? How does it all play into this? There comes a point in your life when you realize how quickly time goes by, and how quickly it has gone. Then it really speeds up exponentially. With that, I think you start to put a lot of things into context; you start to see how huge the world is, and really, the universe.
     I don't know - sometimes I catch myself being dark, and it's annoying. I think, 'Get over it.' I bore myself. But sometimes, like everybody, I'm sure I am obsessive. I reached a point where I didn't think I was that great. I'm not being humble. I was looking at things and thinking: 'You're not really good in that'. I think I was becoming boring as well as bored. It was nobody's fault except mine - probably - and it might not even be my fault. Day to day and doing the work and getting to that honest point - that, for me, is always about - and always will be as long as I do this - refining and refining and refining and refining the truth... constantly being as truthful and honest and raw and real as you can be.
     I'm just shocked and thankful that I've gotten away with everything - experimenting here, trying at this, failing at that, being good in some things, not so good in others. It's kind of amazing that people are still sticking by me. Work hard, don't quit, be appreciative, be thankful, be grateful, be respectful, also to never whine ever, never complain, and, always, for crying out loud, keep a sense of humor. I'll always stand by the first 'Batman'. Even for its imperfections, people will never know how hard that movie was to do. A lot of that still holds up. I really believed that Batman had the potential to be one of the coolest guys in cinema. I always knew the way in was Bruce Wayne. It wasn't Batman. It was never Batman. That was the key. 

 
     I've changed my diet a few times. Now I'm trying to eat more protein. I eat little meals throughout the day. I love food, so I still give myself great meals. Also, when I'm busy, it's easy to lose weight.
Michael Keaton

Kenneth Davis

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

This Cozy Spice Can Reduce Blood Sugar, Says New Study
By Meaghan Cameron, MS
Updated Feb. 02, 2024
https://www.thehealthy.com/

     Sprinkle it into oatmeal, a smoothie, a warm mug or even dinner to significantly lower blood glucose levels over 24 hours, say new UCLA medical findings. Is there any health wisdom better than advice to tell you to use more of something you already love? Cinnamon, a common spice in sweet and savory foods (just check out the keema dish right here), has a long history of health benefits. Past studies have linked cinnamon with improved digestion and appetite regulation.
     Some nutrition experts recommend cinnamon for its blood sugar-lowering capabilities, and a recent study backs up this potential benefit with a reasonable daily amount. This study published January 26, 2024, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, aimed to determine whether daily cinnamon supplementation could lower blood sugar in people with obesity and prediabetes.
     Eighteen participants were included in the double-blind trial. To prepare, they were all instructed to follow a so-called “beige diet,” essentially reducing the amount of colorful, nutrient-filled polyphenols in their diets for two weeks. Then, half were given eight capsules with breakfast and eight with dinner of either cinnamon or a placebo for four weeks. The groups were then switched after a two-week “wash-out” period. All participants wore a continuous glucose monitor and underwent other tests to measure blood sugar, blood metrics, blood pressure and body composition changes.
     The group who consumed cinnamon saw a significant reduction in blood sugar levels over 24 hours and experienced reduced fluctuation in glucose levels throughout the day. The researchers noted that their use of continuous glucose monitoring, as opposed to other studies that relied on glucose tolerance tests, allowed them to show in real-time the positive effects of cinnamon.
     Participants also tolerated the dose of cinnamon well and were able to adhere to it. The researchers concluded, “Our study suggests that adding cinnamon, a substance naturally rich in polyphenols, to daily diets may have beneficial glycemic effects in prediabetes.” They also observed a reduction in triglyceride levels after meals, indicating that with more research, cinnamon supplementation could be useful in preventing and treating heart disease.
     If this amount of cinnamon sounds like a lot, it breaks down to a relatively manageable amount over a day. The 16 capsules contained four grams of cinnamon, which equates to just about a teaspoon or one sugar packet, as the researchers point out. A half teaspoon in your coffee and a sprinkle on your dessert of choice would easily get you there. If you want to supplement with cinnamon, note that this study used a particular type of cinnamon, C. burmannii, also known as Indonesian cinnamon. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or integrating a supplement into your routine.

     This is for information purpose only and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  
TODAY'S WORDS - OFF COURSE

     Life--you have to live it as it comes. Wouldn't it be nice if everything balanced in the world? If right came out on top and wrong was punished. It sure would be simple. Some things in life are out of your control. You can make it a party or a tragedy. Or you could refuse to take the next step. You could refuse to take what you wanted most because you're afraid some day you might lose it. Nothing worthwhile is ever without complications. We make destiny with every turn, every choice. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place. You spend your life getting walked on, you learn to recognize the tread. Feeling too much is a hell of a lot better than feeling nothing. We're all victims of what life deals out. It's how we handle it that's important. Action, reaction, motivation, emotion, all have to come from the characters. Be yourself. Be true to that, to your heart. Patience. See what happens if you step back instead of bounding forward.
     We make our own choices and we're each responsible for them. Blame and credit belong to the individual. You haven't the right to claim either from someone else. Decisions made quickly were almost always regretted quickly. Potholes and bumps? Welcome to the world. Every road gas them. They're there to be navigated, avoided, driven over, or through to the other side. Don't keep driving into the pothole. You can’t just hope for happy endings. You have to believe in them. Then do the work, take the risks. It takes a lot of spine and stomach to make yourself into something when no one gives you a foundation. People and relationships never stop being a work in progress. Courage comes in different forms. There's strength--that's the muscle. But love's the heart. When you put them together, you can do anything. Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice. Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars? Anyone who has loved has been touched by magic. It is such a simple and such an extraordinary part of the lives we live.
     Anyone that has character leaves a mark on another. Would you like to leave the world without making a ripple? You can't edit a blank page. Sometimes a wind comes up, blows you off course. You’re not ready for it, but if you’re lucky, you end up in a more interesting place than you’d planned. Life is never as long as we want it to be, and wasted time can never be recovered. There's no reward without work, no victory without effort, no battle won without risk.

Nora Roberts

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS

 TO 

EUGENE GRAYER

     There is only one pleasure-that of being alive. Living is like working out a long addition sum, and if you make a mistake in the first two totals you will never find the right answer. It means involving oneself in a complicated chain of circumstances. The man of action is not the headstrong fool who rushes into danger with no thought for himself, but the man who puts into practice the things he knows. We do not remember days, we remember moments. 

Cesare Pavese

Kenneth Davis

 TIME FOR ANOTHER 

Kenneth Davis

T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N 
TODAY'S WORDS - BEYOND THE REALM

Ozzie Smith

WELCOME TO 
SMOOTH
 CONTEMPORARY JAZZ 

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS
 TO 
ALICE HOLMAN NESBITT

     Everything you live through helps to make you the person you are now. You have to enjoy life. Always be surrounded by people that you like, people who have a nice conversation. There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.

Sophia Loren

Kenneth Davis

    T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N    
TODAY'S WORD - DEVOTION 

     Dancing is a spiritual exercise in a physical form. I think of dance as a constant transformation of life itself. You have to love dancing to stick to it. It gives you nothing back, no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that fleeting moment when you feel alive. It is not for unsteady souls. Dancing has a continuity of its own that need not be dependent upon either the rise or fall of sound or the pitch and cry of words. Its force of feeling lies in the physical image, fleeting or static.
     There's no thinking involved in my choreography... I don't work through images or ideas. I work through the body... If the dancer dances, which is not the same as having theories about dancing or wishing to dance or trying to dance, everything is there. When I dance, it means this is what I am doing. My dance classes were open to anybody, my only stipulation was that they had to come to the class every day.
     I think the thing that we agreed to so many years ago, actually, was that the music didn't have to support the dance nor the dance illustrate the music, but they could be two things going on at the same time. The most essential thing in dance discipline is devotion, the steadfast and willing devotion to the labor that makes the classwork not a gymnastic hour and a half, or at the lowest level, a daily drudgery, but a devotion that allows the classroom discipline to become moments of dancing too.

Merce Cunningham

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS
 TO 
OCTAVIA HARRIS
 AND 
JERRY HOSEY

     When you've known someone for so long you never lose that friendship. We never realized how much of an influence we had. That's what friendships are, isn't it? You don't all have to be the same, as long as you've all got the same sense of humor and same attitudes on life.

Keren Woodward

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     October 6, 2024: Reset! It is time to recognize the need to start over. Wipe the slate clean and begin again by getting your priorities in order and doing what is important for this season. Everything in the past has brought you to this point in your life. Take stock of what you want to take with you into the next phase of your existence and what you want to leave behind, and then do it. Be brave and resolute. Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord God will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  
TODAYS WORD - TAKE STOCK 

     Miracles begin when we consider the possibility that there might be another way. Consider the possibility of infinite possibility. With every thought we think, we either summon or block a miracle. It is not our circumstances, then, but rather our thoughts about our circumstances, that determine our power to transform them. Imagine the most outrageously positive possibility for your life, claim it, and consider it done.
     In each of us, there lies a divine connection to a power more powerful than hate or violence. Today is the day to attune to that power and use it on behalf of peace on earth. For every person who might reject you if you live your truth, there are ten others who will embrace you and welcome you home. We do not heal the past by dwelling there. We heal the past by living in the present. Think bigger. Forget limits. Embrace the idea of endless possibility.... It will change you. We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right.
     Take stock of your thoughts and behavior. Each night ask yourself, when were you negative when you could have been positive? When did you withhold love when you might have given it? When did you play a neurotic game instead of behaving in a powerful way? Use this process to self-correct. You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think.

Marianne Williamson

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   
TODAY'S WORD - VISION

     My whole life, people have been like, 'I don't know if you're playing or serious.' I hear a lot of girls say, 'I can be myself around you,' and I'm always thinking, 'Who are you when you're with somebody else?' As a comic and as an actor, I think you've got to be partially crazy. My father tried to discourage me from going into comedy, mainly because he felt like it wasn't promising. It was pie in the sky. Comedy chose me. I always had this urge to be silly that I couldn't control. I remember my father having me read 'The Three Little Pigs' to him, and I would improv all around the story, like when one pig's house got blown over, he put on his gym shoes and took off.
    Even in comedy, you have to be real. It's all about being real. It's how real can you be? That's the challenge. How much are you willing to take on for your character? Comedy prepared me for drama. Being on 'The Office' prepared me for drama. Comedy got me ready, but once you get down to it, they're two sides of the same thing. I mean, the delivery has to be different - in drama, there's more time to breathe, and comedy's all about hitting the joke. There are a couple techniques you can think of. One of my acting teachers said that comedy is like ping-pong, and drama is tennis. You take things a bit slower, so you do get to breathe more and take some more time. 
     I never wanted to do just one thing. There's even other things in comedy that I want to do. For me, it's always been that I have to have the vision first. If you're going to be the lead, you better be ready to always be working. I think I, and the audience, would enjoy a kissing scene with me and Rihanna. That would've been cool for me to see, rehearse, practice, and all that. Me and Rihanna. I have a phrase I say: 'What the damn?' It's my favorite. It just came to me one day. 

 
Craig Robinson

Kenneth Davis

IT'S TIME FOR 
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

 Potty talk
“Here,” says the nurse, handing the patient a urine specimen container. “The bathroom’s over there.” A few minutes later, the patient comes out of the bathroom. “Thanks,” he says, returning the empty container. “But there was a toilet in there, so I didn’t need this after all.” 
—Travis Stork, MD, Nashville, Tennessee
 Ignorance is bliss
My patient announced she had good news … and bad. “The medicine for my earache worked,” she said. “What’s the bad news?” I asked. “It tasted awful.” Since she was feeling better, I didn’t have the heart to tell her they’re called eardrops for a reason. 
—Murray Grossan, MD, founder of the Grossan Institute, Los Angeles

Sleep apnea dilemma
I gave my patient the results of her sleep study: “It looks like you stopped breathing in your sleep over 65 times per hour.” Her response: “Did I start back?” 
—Michael Breus, PhD, Scottsdale, Arizona

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     October 8, 2024: There are things that you must forgive and forget in order to embrace the next leg of your journey. You must not get stuck in things that are trivial but move on to embrace that which is consequential and necessary for spiritual growth. Never let your pride get in the way of holiness. 1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.

    T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  
TODAY'S WORDS - SPIRITUAL GROWTH 

     Voices surround us, always telling us to move faster. It may be our boss, our pastor, our parents, our wives, our husbands, our politicians, or, sadly, even ourselves. So, we comply. We increase the speed. We live life in the fast lane because we have no slow lanes anymore. Every lane is fast, and the only comfort our culture can offer is more lanes and increased speed limits. The result? Too many of us are running as fast as we can, and an alarming number of us are running much faster than we can sustain. Think about how many of us have wondered why we don't fit, why our faith doesn't stabilize us, why we seem so out of sync with most of the world. Genuine faith is the isolating force in our lives that creates tension wherever we go. To put it another way, faith is the unbalancing force in our lives that is the fruit of God's disturbing presence.
     When we are in touch with God's joy and peace in us, then we become whole and holy persons. Like living torches, we radiate the light and heat of God's compassionate love. Christianity is not about learning how to live within the lines; Christianity is about the joy of coloring. Spirituality isn't about being finished and perfect; spirituality is about trusting God in our unfinishedness. Spiritual growth thrives in the midst of our problems, not in their absence. Spiritual growth occurs in the trenches of life, not in the classroom. Spiritual growth is more than procedure, it’s a wild search for God in the midst of the tangled jungle of our souls, a search for which involves a volatile mix of messy reality, wild freedom, frustrating stuckness, increasing slowness and a healthy dose of gratitude.
     Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives. I want a lifetime of holy moments. Every day I want to be in dangerous proximity to Jesus. I long for a life that explodes with meaning and is filled with adventure, wonder, risk, and danger. I long for a faith that is gloriously treacherous. I want to be with Jesus, not knowing whether to cry or laugh. Just because we believe the gospel is a life-and-death matter doesn't mean we have to act as if we're dead.

Mike Yaconelli

Kenneth Davis

     The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not "get over" the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.

~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross~ 

     With great sadness, I must acknowledge the transition of Bernice Moss Rhodes on October 8, 2024. Notification was received from Margie McRae Reed, who was informed by the daughter of Bernice. Arrangements will be announced upon availability. Please acknowledge the family in prayer and continue to keep them uplifted.

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N
TODAY'S WORDS - TIME AND ENERGY 

     When things go wrong in our life and we encounter difficult situations, we tend to regard the situation itself as our problem, but in reality, whatever problems we experience come from the side of the mind. If we were to respond to difficult situations with a positive or peaceful mind, they would not be problems for us; indeed, we may even come to regard them as challenges or opportunities for growth and development. Problems arise only if we respond to difficulties with a negative state of mind. Therefore, if we want to be free from problems, we must transform our mind.
     Patience is a mind that is able to accept fully and happily, whatever occurs. It is much more than just gritting our teeth and putting up with things. Being patient means to welcome wholeheartedly whatever arises, having given up the idea that things should be other than what they are. When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds. We can send so-called 'peacekeeping forces' into areas of conflict, but peace cannot be opposed from the outside with guns. 
     Only by creating peace within our own mind and helping others to do the same can we hope to achieve peace in this world. We need to keep a constant watch over our mind and learn to distinguish between the beneficial and harmful thoughts that are arising moment by moment. Those who are able to do this are truly wise. Since the real purpose of meditation is to increase our capacity to help others, taking time each day to meditate is not selfish. We have to manage our time and energy in such a way that we can be of maximum benefit to others, and to do this we need time alone to recover our strength, collect our thoughts, and see things in perspective.

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Kenneth Davis

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

New Study: This Is the #1 Tactic To Reduce Anxiety

By Miranda Manier

Updated on June 24, 2024

https://www.thehealthy.com/

     Research on 9,000 participants examined the effects of three coping tactics to discover a few surprising findings—including one about meditation. Most anyone who has struggled with anxiety—which includes over 30% of all US adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health—will tell you that finding the right ways to distract your mind from ruminating and fretting is no easy task. Symptoms of anxiety include excessive worrying, constant pressure and stress, as well as issues with sleep, concentration and more. So, what do you do when you can’t stay focused or calm but want to put your nervous energy into a task that helps you feel a little better? New research suggests one particular hobby could be a healthy way to distract yourself and get some relief.

     With the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that rates of anxiety increased by 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of Canadian researchers decided to examine what leisure activities people struggling with anxiety turned to in lockdown to determine what was effective and what wasn’t. In a June 2024 study published in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed open-access mega journal published by the Public Library of Science, the researchers analyzed data from two separate surveys taken during the pandemic, cumulatively including 8,818 participants. They examined participants’ engagement in three activities:

⦁ Exercise

⦁ Communication with friends and family

⦁ Meditation

     Of these activities, the researchers found that participants who engaged in exercise saw the biggest benefits for their anxiety. In the first survey, 24.4% of those who regularly exercised reported that they did not experience moderate to severe anxiety, compared to 17% who did. In the second survey, these figures were 19% and 12%, respectively. Communication with family and friends was close behind. Among those who socialized with loved ones, 19.9% in the first survey and 18.3% in the second survey reported no moderate to severe anxiety, while 18% and 12.7%, respectively, reported that they did have intense anxiety symptoms.

     Interestingly, the participants who engaged in meditation experienced the worst anxiety. In the first survey, 24% of those who meditated reported moderate to severe anxiety, with only 16.4% reporting no such anxiety. In the second survey, 17.7% reported moderate to severe anxiety, while 11.7% reported none. Though there is significant research supporting meditation’s effects on anxiety, the most important thing is finding what works for you. If strolling around the block, playing a recreational sport with some friend  or just giving a family member a call on the phone can help lessen your stress and rumination, it’s worth a try.

     This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH   ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS
 TO 
WENDOLYN WOOTEN
 PETTIES

     Today expect something good to happen to you no matter what occurred yesterday. Every day we’re given chances to embrace the new. Become aware that you already possess all the inner wisdom, strength, and creativity needed to make your dreams come true. Open your arms as wide as you can to receive all the miracles with your name on them. Never forget that all you have is all you need.

~Sarah Ban Breathnach~

Kenneth Davis

   T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   
TODAY'S WORDS - PERFECT PEACE

     Peace - the word evokes the simplest and most cherished dream of humanity. Peace is, and has always been, the ultimate human aspiration. And yet our history overwhelmingly shows that while we speak incessantly of peace, our actions tell a very different story. Some 500,000 scientists all over the world are devoting their knowledge to the search for weaponry more sophisticated and more deadly. It is ironic that the accumulation of arms is one of the few expanding industries in a period of economic depression and gloom.
     Human nature being what it is, peace must inevitably be a relative condition. The essence of life is struggle and competition, and to that extent perfect peace is an almost meaningless abstraction. Struggle and competition are stimulating, but when they degenerate into conflict it is usually both destructive and disruptive. The aim of political institutions like the United Nations is to draw the line between struggle and conflict and to make it possible for nations to stay on the right side of that line.

 
     Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (January 19, 1920 – March 4, 2020) was a Peruvian diplomat who served as the fifth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1, 1982 to December 31, 1991.