Category: moving forward

My Ode to Romance Countdown To Valentine Day

Chivalry is still alive today

#2 of 14 Chivalry

“Love suffers long and is kind” 1Corinthians 13:4

Tristram and Isolde, 1916 - John William Waterhouse
Tristram and Isolde by William John Waterhouse- 1916

In medieval times, acts of chivalry were used by knights to demonstrate commitment, respect, compassion and trust as well as to show noble bravery to a lady when pursuing an honourable relationship with her. 

Chivalry is still alive today and can be seen in acts of kindness such as opening a door, pulling out a chair or as simple as returning a warm greeting.  Valentine’s Day supports a somewhat chivalrous behaviour by the giving of flowers, chocolate, having a candlelight dinner or showing love and compassion to others in kind words and deeds.

My Ode to Romance countdown to Valentine’s Day

Thou hast ravished my heart.

“Thou hast ravished my heart.” – Song of Solomon 4 verse 9a

#1 of 14 Romance

Romance is defined as an emotional attraction towards another person and the courtship behaviours undertaken to express these feelings ( Wikipedia 2021) Romancing someone can be expressed by giving gifts, spending time together or saying special words of affirmation.  These could all be examples of courtship, which is a period where a relationship develops.  (The Five Love Languages – Gary Chapman)

Yet To Be #19

The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will neve forget any of their work. Amos 8 verse 7

Who has wronged you? Who has caused you pain? The Lord said that He would never forget.  He will make it right in His own time and in His own way.  (Vicissitudes of Life, 2007)

Yet To Be #20

How easy it is to wish another evil

Seek good and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.  Amos 5 verse 14

How easy it is to wish another evil especially when we are hurt. How about that promotion that should have been yours? How about the paper that you know was worth an “A” but you got a “B”? Did you receive that than you for a work will done? Did not our Lord receive evil for good?  Did He not say forgive them? When are we going to stop saying it is hard, when we know that He is there to help?

Yet To Be #15

he would supply all our needs

…as having nothing, and yet possessing all things…I will be your God and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6 verse 10 and 16

Jesus told us that he would supply all our needs. We know that “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills”. Jesus is Lord ( Vicissitudes of Life, 2007)

Destress and Breathe and Exercise

slow controlled breathing can help lower your heart rate, your blood pressure and ease anxiety

Can breathing exercises help strengthen the lungs against Covid- 19?

As per an article from aarp.org, strengthening the lungs with deep breathing is good for pulmonary health by clearing out the lungs to help reduce the risk of infection and pneumonia.  Exercise does the same thing.  Aerobic exercise helps to keep your heart, lungs and circulatory system healthy.  Aerobic exercise means with oxygen which includes brisk walking, swimming, running, cycling, dancing any form of exercise that elevates the heart and forces oxygen into the lungs.

So does exercise and deep breathing protect you against Covid 19?  Experts cannot totally agree, but according to research Covid 19 attacks the lungs and if deep breathing and exercises are beneficial to increase lung health, why not do them?

Slow controlled breathing can help lower your heart rate, your blood pressure and ease anxiety. 

So, take another breath and relax or go for a walk.

 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air ( not without purpose) But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection (discipline)…1 Corinthians 9 verses 26 and 27a

Destress and Breathe

easy abdominal breathing technique

Relax is a verb, an action word meaning to make or become less tense or anxious. Learning to step back from a painful or stressful situation takes practice.  Taking a few minutes to be mindful of your surrounding circumstances is difficult, especially when the stress from these circumstances, threatens to zoom out of control.

How to handle stress?

Stop and squeeze into your busy day a 10 minute appointment.  This is a private session with yourself to relax.  Try some breathing exercises. They help to calm the mind and the body. 

Easy Abdominal Breathing Technique

  1. Sitting or lying in a comfortable position, close your eyes, relax your shoulders and allow any tension in your muscles to disappear if at all possible.
  2. Inhale deeply and slowly through your nose. Your belly should expand whilst your chest rises very little. If it helps, you can put your hand on your bellow and feel the inhaled The breath pushing that hand up.
  3. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Keeping your jaw relaxed, purse your lips as you blow, though remember to keep the exhale nice and gentle. Again, you can keep your hand on your stomach and very lightly push down as you exhale.
  4. Repeat for several minutes until you feel calm again. ( Lifehack: Mental Wellness by Chris Skoyler)

These exercises are even good when you experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Studies are showing that tinnitus within these Covid 19 times is on the rise. Relaxing is a very simple technique to practice and it can help to reduce tinnitus.

Take that 10 minute break.

The Bible says, casting all your cares upon him (the Lord) for he (the Lord) cares for you”. 1 Peter 5 verse 7

Stress and Life

encouraging words makes him feel good.

Life is a road we must travel

Life is a road. Sometimes the road is rough and as we travel on it, we can get anxious or weighed down by the many bumps and curves.

Anxiety is a natural response to stress which at times can lead to fear and apprehension having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom.

The Bible says, “heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad”. Proverbs 12 verse 25

Plainly spoken, “anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but encouraging words makes him feel good”.

Sometimes talking to someone or even saying kind words to others helps to lift the spirit.

We all need to feel good and encouraged as we walk the path of life.

Destressing life = use encouraging words

Stress Can Kill

Did you know that stress is linked to 6 leading causes of death

Did you know that stress is linked to six leading causes of death:

  1. Heart Disease
  2. Cancer
  3. Lung ailments
  4. Accidents
  5. Cirrhosis of the liver
  6. Suicide – (American Psychological Association)

We all experience stress in life, because it is a normal part of life.  When stress gets too much to handle how can you destress and enjoy life?

Take 10 minutes to:

  • Breathe ( inhale slowly through your nose and exhale slowly through the nose)
  • Take a quick walk
Take a walk

Be mindful of your surroundings and situations

Be mindful and stay calm

Eat a piece of chocolate

Plan something special for yourself for the evening, next day or weekend

Relax

Relax

These are only a few things you can do. 

Taking 10 minutes a day will become the best 10 minutes of your day.   

the Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing” Philippians 4 verse 6