Staying Heart Healthy

February was "heart" awareness month. Hopefully, you observed wearing red and joining in the fun of taking care of your heart--physically and emotionally. Because I care about you (if you are reading this blog, you must also care a little about me), I want to give you some tips on how to stay heart healthy all year round.

Most people are familiar with how to stay physically heart healthy. Exercise and heart healthy eating are the key.

You are probably less familiar with the benefits of having an emotionally healthy heart. Escalated stress levels have led researchers to explore the correlation stress has on people's heart health. Trends are showing escalated frequencies of cardiac incidences based upon escalated levels of stress. Based upon these trends, researchers have proven increasing interaction with others can offset the emotional risks of cardiac incidences. The recommendation is "Let the Good Times Roll"--more laughter, slow down, encourage gatherings and by all means have fun.

As unlikely as it sounds, these measures will increase the "happiness hormones" of serotonin and endorphins and reduce your risks not only of a cardiac incident but of picking up passing flu bugs and other sickness.

How could it be that reducing stress could save you money(doctors visits and prescriptions), build relationships, and save your life all while laughing and having fun? This all sounds way to simple in our very complex, stressful world doesn't it?

Baby Steps

You wouldn't think that a single word could put a half century old woman into a cold sweat and sometimes panic but "trust" has done it to me for several years now--both in definition and in practice. Proverbs 3:5 tells us-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. I give myself credit for the first part of the verse. I have trusted in the Lord. At times, I had no other choice. It was HE who picked me up, gave me hope, gave me a new life in a new place and found me a way to provide for my family. Now HE also expects me to take action to apply what I have learned with HIM to people of the flesh. This is where I am apprehensive and wobbly on the walk. I feel clumsy and apprehensive in this endeavor but need to execute the second half of the verse "lean not on your own understanding".

This week, although a little off balance, I took many steps in various levels of relationship and trust with people. I trusted my daughter to live up to her word in a promise she made to me last week; I trusted new found friends with a story and a secret; I trusted a man on a bridge over troubled waters to meet me half way; I trusted a twenty eight year old salesman that I met for the first time to sell me a car; and I trusted my son to drive it off the lot and home for the first time.

To be honest, I don't think I've earned or learned enough to be in this accelerated class but I have enough faith to trust in HIM and not my own understanding. There is a small sense of satisfaction and confidence that I might actually be able to do this.

Celebrating the Moment

I think we all have thoughts of a place where we would go when we hear the news we have been anxiously waiting and praying about. For no known reason, the place that comes to my mind is a field of daisies way out in the country where there are no people except for a friend and I. We would pause just for a moment to enjoy the beauty of the field. Then, I would briskly grab his hand and run carefree from one end of the field to the other. While we were running, we would feel the relief and joy of being free from anxiety and focus on looking upward and forward as we ran with a gentle breeze at our backs. This is my idea of the appropriate way to celebrate great moments in our lives.

Tonight, I thank God for the biopsy results of "normal". It is the news we have prayed about for some time now. I have my tennis shoes by the door and am ready to celebrate. Does anyone know where I can find a field of daisies this time of year?

Finishing the Race

It was the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City at 7 pm. The race had been over for hours and the medals had been presented over an hour before. The crowd was beginning to stir wondering why closing ceremonies were not advancing. The crowd was silenced by an announcement that a lone runner was approaching the stadium and was a few blocks away. He was requesting Olympic officials allow him to cross the finish line. The crowd somewhat perplexed by this soon caught sight of Tanzanian runner John Stephen Ahkwari as he entered the stadium. He was bloodied and hobbled with injuries he sustained at the starting line of the marathon where he was run over and trampled. The crowd once again was silenced at the sight of the injuries. The silence quickly changed to an incredible roar as they cheered him to the finish line. This was Olympic history and an Olympic first. He was quickly transported for medical treatment. From the hospital, there was one question everyone was asking, Why? His answer made life history, “You don’t understand. My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start a race, they sent me to finish it.”

What an amazing example of commitment and perseverance. As I heard this story, it had me asking myself some questions. How many times had I committed to finish the race and didn't? How well do I respond to life under adversity? It would have been easy and understandable for John Stephen Ahkwari to quit that race but he saw himself called to a larger accountability and responsibility than himself. He was representing his country. I will hold on to this story for awhile as a reminder that I too am called to a higher level of accountability and responsibility. God didn't send me to just start this race. He is challenging me to finish it.

You Know Its' Healthy When You're Sick

As I pop another antacid, I am reminded of the saying that there's nothing worse than being sick. But to me there is something worse, being sick when you're single. This week I realized for the first time there are two kinds of sickness, one that you take responsibility for in providing balance to your life and body. My sickness this morning is related to my lack there of and do not look to Him for freedom from symptoms. I take full responsibility and know why I am sick. The other is a more serious threat that requires petitioning to God for healing.

This week I have experienced both sicknesses. The latter walking the path of a biopsy early in the week with my friend. Now we wait for the results in the coming week. We talked and prayed at length during the waiting for the procedure and now after.

Last night as we talked, I felt joy in the midst of my discomfort to know someone cared for me, would be willing to drive hours to bring me ginger ale and would even risk exposure just to see that I was okay. Even though I prefaced the conversation that I really didn't feel like talking, 90 minutes of silliness and laughter brought joy and comfort to me. We proved another hypotheses...... Laughter really is the best medicine. You also know the friendship's healthy when you're sick and your friend is still there for you.

Now, its' my turn to be there. First, Heal him, O Lord, and He will be Healed paraphrase Jeremiah 17:14. I pray that God knows our request. Secondly and regardless of the outcome of the procedure, it will be a healthy season for us to grow our friendship.

Friendships with Foundations

Did you ever wonder why some friendships last and some don't? I've been thinking and talking a lot recently with friends about this. I think a lot of factors contribute to whether a friendship lasts for a season or a lifetime. As I think back about the people that I considered friends, there were some things that come to mind as to why they lasted or didn't. I think the success of friendships built to last depends on the state of mind, state of heart and state of life of the individuals involved. It also depends on the level of sacrifice and commitment each is willing to make to keep the friendship alive.

I've had both types of friends over the years. I have had many friends for a season but very few friends for a life time. Friendships for a lifetime aren't fun sometimes because they involve people. They are a lot of work. They take patience, nurturing, understanding and unconditional love. Friendships can be likened to gardens. When they are well cared for, time and focus is spent in growing them, the harvest is healthy and beautiful. The converse are friendships and gardens that just last for a season. The results don't justify the care, sacrifice and commitment and it ends in a less fruitful season and harvest.

Recently I have seen the harvest of meaningful friendships that I have made a commitment to sustain for a lifetime. My nature at this point is not to let people into my garden of friendship, there is such risk and I have been hurt so many times. My wisdom, my experience and my faith tell me the gain will far outweigh the risks. After all if I let my fears prevail again like I have done so many times before, I will never know what the fruits of the lifetime harvest might look like for me.

Life's A Journey Not a Destination

Unfortunately, I do not have the author to give credit to this saying that has become meaningful to me over the past few years but it makes so much sense: "Life's a journey not a destination so don't forget to enjoy the ride. " It is a reality check for those Type "A" personalities like me that get impatient with the results and timing of life. Sometimes I am such a goal setter and achiever, I forget to stop or slow down and enjoy the simple blessings that stare me right in the face like my granddaughter's smile, my children's passion to talk when I'm tired, a friend who approaches with tears but I don't wait to see, my dog who wants to play but I stumble over him because I don't have time and so many more. Over the years, I was always on a fast paced roller coaster to "somewhere" until I realized I was missing so many blessings that God was giving me in response to my prayers. I was to focused on my own plans and destinations to experience the true joys that were here and now.

Today I am reminded as a good friend faces a serious medical test what is most important to me. It is the people around me that smile, cry, walk, care and need me that make the journey worth enjoying. Now, I am on a ride to no known destination trusting God as my compass and speedometer.

From the Inside Out

Have you ever had the opportunity to get to know someone from a distance without ever seeing them or developing a perception of who they were? Sort of getting to know someone from the Inside -- Out, before your eyes and brain kick in. Let me reassure you, it is not like the inside out experience when your clothing is reversed.

It seemed appropriate for me to describe my first opportunity to experience getting to know someone this way today because it is Valentine's Day. I want everyone to know how incredibly rewarding, exhilarating, natural, subtle and fun getting to know a man's heart can be before setting eyes on him. Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Because I have always been a fairly visual person, this experience at first had me feeling a bit awkward and uncomfortable. It didn't take us long to connect and begin to get a comfort level with words. I found myself looking forward to the texts, emails, blogs and occasional voice conversations from this mystery man whose geography and place in life prevented us from meeting for a couple of months.

Over the time a friendship developed like none I had ever had with a man before. It was safe and healthy. I have learned things about myself through this experience that have helped me see beyond the flesh. I have to admit I am a bit ashamed that I have been shallow at times with people especially in light of being recognized in my career as somewhat of an expert in relationship building. It makes me wonder how many pure hearts I have known that I never got to know.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! I highly recommend getting to know people from the inside out.

The Hour Glass Theory

Tonight, I feel like I need to revisit Dale Carnegie's hour glass theory. The week has been one of those weeks where I experienced a lot of things that could draw me into my comfortable cave dwelling mode and stay there until the storms pass.

Instead, I am going to see the positive in the week and my current status in life. Being single at times can be just plain terrible. Most of you know, I've been in this mode now for about 6 years. The downside is that the buck stops with me in finances, in plumbing, in counseling, in providing, in nursing, in car maintenance, in lawn work,the list goes on and yes in interacting with God. At times like this after a long, hard week, I'm just plain worn out and wish that I had someone to come home to that I could laugh with, eat with, work with, talk over the challenges with or just sit with.

Then I think about the upside of this whole state of being. I get to fill both closets, sprawl over the whole queen sized bed that I picked out, spend my money how I choose, eat out and order whatever I want off of the menu, dream my own dreams and live my own life. I can put a cover on my toilet seat, let the dog sleep with me and leave the cap off of my toothpaste. I can control the remote, sleep in as long as I want, dress like I want and yes I don't have competition for my time or attention so I can enjoy my time with God.

I am told that single people spend far more time listening than talking and thus are more keenly aware of their surroundings. They have far more time for divine appointments to serve and grow the kingdom by speaking to and listening to God. Although not optimal, being single is a blessing in many ways for me. I have often wondered if that is my destiny for the second half. How would I adapt? How should I adapt? and even Could I adapt to another relationship of the flesh?

Which leads me back to The Hour Glass Theory. I realize that it is time for me to give it all back to Him for the execution of His plan not mine. Dale Carnegie summarized this well in his Hour Glass Theory. Each day is like an hour glass. At the beginning of the day, all of the grains of sand are at the top of the glass. By the end of the day all of the granules will be at the bottom of the glass. The unique thing about an hour glass is only one granule can go through the aperture at a time. It doesn't matter whether you shake it, tap it or slant it that is how it works. It is a precise instrument just like the wonder of the life God has created for us. The lesson for me today is to focus on the aperture, don't worry about what will happen next or what already just happened, enjoy the moment and let God do the rest.

Professionals Not Idols

Over the years, I have observed the impact professional athletes have had on our young people's lives. How many of our children grow up wanting to be professional athlete's someday? In addition to the high profile marketing of these athletes, our young people have the ability to go and see these greats perform in real time, real life. These multi-million dollar individuals are seen as idols to our generation of young people. It is easy for our children to get swept up in the excitement of following daily events. They are highly visible: television, newspapers, billboards, magazines, and yes in stadiums across the country. They encourage and relish our young people joining in the hype of building momentum for their careers.

As we have seen in the last couple of weeks, we have taken a huge risk in allowing our children to idolize these men and women of the flesh. A-Rod seen on billboards, posters and the national icon for The Boys and Girls Clubs of America admits to performance enhancing drugs. Michael Phelps seven time gold medalist in this years Olympics caught smoking pot just weeks after standing on the highest platform and being idolized by young people and adults across the world for his exemplary swimming abilities. How do we explain these lapses of judgement to our children?

To me, it should be easy and a great conversation opportunity to discuss priorities, right from wrong and consequences to bad choices. Parents could point out these athletes are not God and are not perfect. They should not be idolized. We must be sure that we help them prioritize which authority figure to worship. There is no risk in idolizing God - The only perfect one, who will never let our kids down and is unequivocally the "Name Above All Names".

ET's Stimulus Package

As I watched this morning's news about the "Stimulus Package", I couldn't help but imagine what it must be like on Capitol Hill during the discussions of how to stimulate our country and people to prosperity once again. Highly influential, intelligent and strategic men and women in their best clothes emphatically convincing their peers that its' all about infusing money into just the right place to get the most immediate results. This session being spinned, twisted and slanted to the American people through hours and hours of news footage to provide hope and confidence of their work to the masses.

As I thought about this my imagination and witty sense of humor kicked in. As most of you know I am known for thinking outside of the box on a pretty regular basis. From my perception, it was more likely like the scene from ET (Extra Terrestrial) that I watched with Taylor for the 5th or 6th time a couple of weeks ago. Scientist's hone in on ET who has been taken in by a loving young boy named Elliot. The scientists must take this "foreign being" into their care to better understand the phenomena. Hundreds of men and women invade Elliot's home and separate Elliot from ET. They employ leading edge science and methods to try to revive ET but their efforts are fruitless. Elliot stands by in horror as he watches his heartfelt friend be terrorized by modern man. Despite the effort, ET lays lifeless in the vacuum tank. Elliot walks over to say good-bye. He has little hope since what can he possibly do if all of these men and women of wisdom could not revive ET. He opens the vacuum tank and puts his hand on ET's chest. Elliot's touch elicits an immediate response. The plant begins to grow and ET's heart begins to shine and beat again. Instantly, ET is saved.

God's lessons sometimes come to us even in the simplest of ways like in light hearted movies. Truth be told the stimulus package was written centuries ago by the disciples as it was exampled by God's Will and God's Way through love. It was written in the heart's of all Christians and is documented in the Word. It is not extra terrestrial or foreign. It is natural and doable. Men and women of God must take a lead. We should be living the stimulus package by example and as a call to action.

Perhaps, they could take a light hearted break from their sessions on Capitol Hill and watch ET. Isn't it comical how an extra terrestrial could help us understand this important lesson?

Live Your Life With Heart Like I Do

You may or may not know that February is National Heart Month--not just because it is Valentine's month but because it is a month of awareness for all Americans that cardiovascular disease and stroke are the #1 and #3 killers of Americans. Every minute some one's spouse, parent, sibling or child dies from a heart related episode. You can be a part of reducing these risks and joining me in saving lives. The effort of developing life saving treatments relies on donor dollars for research. The association's impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010.

Progress toward the goal will be measured according to these indicators:

• Reduce the death rate from coronary heart disease and stroke by 25 percent.
• Reduce the prevalence of smoking, high blood cholesterol and physical inactivity by 25 percent.
• Reduce the rate of uncontrolled high blood pressure by 25 percent.
• Eliminate the growth of obesity and diabetes.
  

We are making good progress in this effort but need your help. Heart disease and stroke are not influenced by the upturns or downturns of the economy. In fact in downturns, the incidences tend to increase. We rely on your generosity to sustain our efforts and progress.

Tonight I will attend the Lancaster Heart Ball. It is one of our most productive events for raising dollars to serve the cause. As most of you know I have regional (PA, OH, WV, KY, DE) responsibility for The American Heart Association and The American Stroke Association. I do this not solely because it is my job but because this is a cause I truly believe saves lives. I want to be a part of it. I hope you will search your heart and join me in contributing to the national effort through sharing your time, your gifts and your talents. If I have touched your heart enough to know more, please email me for more details or click on the heart logo link above for more information.

Trust and Obey

The old hymn carries so much weight in the minds of Christians in a time when there is so much gloom and doom in our world. "Trust and Obey because there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to Trust and Obey".

As I think of this, I can't help but smile at how God's Will and God's Way is done swiftly and unequivocally. The correlation between men and women of power and money who have come tumbling down in recent months who did not trust and obey is a sign God is very real and near. The power and money that they have spent lifetimes accumulating has virtually diminished to being worthless in a few short months. The Word is clear, a choice must be made-- either the finite, material, instant gratification of this life or the infinite joy of eternity and walking in lock step with Jesus. Yes, there is a price to pay for the latter. A lifetime of choices for service and love versus power and money is not always easy or glamorous.

People can't be double dipping. I have been disappointed over my half century of years as I have witnessed how men and women have manipulated power and money to achieve what they wanted to achieve. They have written laws that are self serving. They have executed their duties to channel money and power for themselves and they have trampled "the least among us" without regard. Even more concerning is they have boisterously proclaimed victory to others that they are proud of these ruthless actions.

It is a simple, clear-cut test of faith --there's no other way. How many of us are going to pass?

GPS Response System

Last week, I had the unfortunate experience of visiting my grandson, Mason in the pediatric unit of Lancaster General Hospital. He has been sick for a couple of weeks with an unidentified viral infection. It has been a while since I have visited a child in a pediatric unit. As I think of it, it may have been when Kayla was in Allegheny General for her back surgery.

When I asked for his room number, they directed me to take the elevator to the third floor. When I got off the elevator, I realized that technology once again has changed our world for the better. As I approached the unit door of pediatrics, there was a station with a man there. He asked me the patients name, to see my driver's license and what my relationship to the patient was. It struck me that this was a good thing put in place to protect children within. I willingly cooperated and they provided me a name label with a bar code on it. The man pressed a button from the station to unlock the unit doors and I was able to enter.

I walked in the unit and noticed staff was keenly aware that I was new and watched me as I located Mason's room. I began my grandma evaluation of Mason's well being. As I looked at his little leg, there was a device attached tight to his ankle. I asked my daughter in law what that was for and she told me it was a GPS device. The device had a sensor in it that identified his whereabouts anywhere outside of the "safe zone" of the pediatric unit. It would sound alarms and hospital doors would lock if anyone tries to remove a child from the unit.

It struck me how great it would be if all Christian's leveraged their hearts as "GPS sensors". When one of our children or our own are in danger or moving out of the "safe zone", all surrounding Christian's hearts would be called to respond to the warning signal and bring them back to safety. I can only imagine what a powerful system that would be in this life and what result it would have in protecting our own as Jesus did for us. He speaks about the Disciples John 17: 11 "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one."

Super Sunday Has Arrived

Game day has arrived. We have looked forward with anticipation for over two weeks now. I kind of relish the time between the final game and today because it gives everyone a chance to build hype. I enjoy listening to sport enthusiasts and experts state their opinion on the strategies of the teams and what the determining factors will be. I also get a witty kind of pleasure challenging those strategies just to see what kind of reaction I will get.

It is a great day for me. Friends and family are coming from far and near to partake in this celebration. I have my menu planned and the last minute details are being taken care of over the next couple of hours. I was so psyched over Pittsburgh being in this contest that I splurged and bought myself a Roethlisberger jersey. I have to admit I was impulsive and extravagant when I bought it but decided I have earned it. A friend told me that winning such a prize would take time and tenacity. I decided my desire for game face and proper attire would outweigh time and tenacity. In defense of my "position" on this, , I am the hostess and a die hard Steeler fan who knows my role for the day. It will play in to the success or failure of the outcome.

Today, I will be in my element just like I have been blessed in several other seasons. I will win once again regardless of the score when the clock runs out. Tomorrow the glory of a successful season ends and the anticipation of a new season will begin. This is one time when I love it when history repeats itself. Go Steelers!!!! Game time 6:20 ET. Steelers versus Cardinals.