Swap Coordinator: | LadyT (contact) |
Swap categories: | Handmade |
Number of people in swap: | 27 |
Location: | International |
Type: | None |
Last day to signup/drop: | December 1, 2008 |
Date items must be sent by: | December 31, 2008 |
Number of swap partners: | 1 |
Description: | |
The Power of Gratitude An expert tells why giving thanks is good for your health. By Stephen Post, PhD Cleveland, Ohio I’m a researcher. As a professor of bioethics at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, I deal in facts. I’m also a father and a husband—a man blessed with a rich family life. Like many researchers, I’ve always felt that my clinical and my personal lives were two different things. Two different worlds, really. Then, in 2001, I created a research group called the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love (IRUL), dedicated to testing and measuring the effects of love and other positive caring emotions in human life. Our findings surprised me, as I think they will you. Our studies have shown that love-related qualities—like gratitude—actually make us physically healthier. The implications of this research have changed the way I look at my life all year ’round, but they’re especially meaningful to me during the holiday season. Here are five discoveries from our work at IRUL to keep in mind as you gather together to give thanks with your loved ones. 1. Gratitude Defends Just 15 minutes a day focusing on the things you’re grateful for will significantly increase your body’s natural antibodies. 2. Gratitude Sharpens Naturally grateful people are more focused mentally and measurably less vulnerable to clinical depression. 3. Gratitude Calms A grateful state of mind induces a physiological state called resonance that’s associated with healthier blood pressure and heart rate. 4. Gratitude Strengthens Caring for others is draining. But grateful caregivers are healthier and more capable than less grateful ones. 5. Gratitude Heals Recipients of donated organs who have the most grateful attitudes heal faster. Stephen Post, PhD, is the author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People. Check out unlimitedloveinstitute.org for more on his research and order his book at whygoodthingshappen.com. **MAKING OF THE BEADS ** Each set of beads contain 101 beads so you can count 100 blessings every day plus use the extra 101st bead to be thankful for the beads themselves. The beads are strung in the form of a necklace even though they don’t have to be used that way; it puts them in a loop that is perfect for counting. You can easily do this with your eyes closed. In researching beads, I've learned that 10mm glass beads are easiest to handle. Smaller beads are harder to use and less comfortable and the weight of the glass beads makes them hang perfect in your hand making counting simple. You also want the beads to last many years so you should string them with two separate support lines, just in case one should wear out. Although there are no right or wrong ways to use Gratitude Beads , a popular suggestion is to keep them beside your bed where you see them and use them every night. What a better way to drift off to sleep with all the things that you are grateful for. This way you wake up refreshed and with thoughts of what blessings are coming your way. You may wonder if you could really think of 100 blessings in one sitting. All you have to do is look around. Begin blessing the house you are in, the electricity, the bed you sleep in, the people in your daily lives, abundance, good health and so on and so on. It becomes very easy to come up with 100 things to be grateful for. What you'll find out is after about a week, you'll begin recognizing your blessings as they happen during your daily routines. It helps to bring being grateful to the forefront of your thoughts. It'll become a habit. In turn you''ll quit seeing the negative actions around you and began focusing on the things that you are grateful for. What a blessing it it is to discover this tool! Another use for Gratitude Beads is to wear them so they become a visual and physical reminder to remember to say “Thank You†all day long. You will find the beads are fun to use and will never become an obligation. No matter where you use your Gratitude Beads, the only important thing is to USE THEM Daily! Use Gratitude Beads 101 not only show thanks for what you have but also to show thanks for the things you will be receiving in the future. This way you are using the beads to affirm your own prosperity. Don’t take your prosperity for granted. Make it turn out the way you desire. **DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE BEADS ** 1-Place the Gratitude Beads across your fingers, palm side up. 2-Use a finger or thumb to move through each of the beads, one at a time, starting with the first bead next to the tassel, and rotate through all the Gratitude Beads. 3-As you move through each bead, think of one thing that you are grateful for, taking as long as you want. 4-Be sure to give thanks not only for what you have, but also be grateful for what you would like to have come into your life. This way you are affirming what you want. 5-There is no right or wrong way to use Gratitude Beads . 6-Use the beads daily and begin enjoying the many benefits. 7-Results may vary person to person. RULES (even though I hate them) International and Rating of 4.5 or better, with NO no sends in the past six months. Go ahead and message me if you’ve been rated unfairly at any point or have a good reason for your lower rating or the no sends, and we’ll talk. I’m certainly open to listening - as I understand LIFE HAPPENS! Newbies allowed, but with filled out profiles please by the time you are signing up. Communication is key. If you’re going to be late with the swap, let your partner know. If your partner tells you he/she is going to be late, and keeps up the communication, give him/her a break. Sometimes things come up that just can’t be helped. Life happens! I reserve the right to ban anyone that I think might be a problem. This means people that I've noticed have a history of rating unfairly, nastiness, etc. I believe in playing nice & fairly. The ONLY partner guidelines would be to take care in choosing colors . . if your partner hates black, don't choose black beads, etc. ENJOY, Have FUN - after-all, this is a HOBBY . . hobbies are supposed to bring you joy & happiness!!!!!!!! |
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