HUGS

How many hugs have you given out today?

Did you know that hugs:

Can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.

Lift one's serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.

Strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.

Relaxes muscles. Hugs release tension in the body. Hugs can take away pain; they soothe aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.

Balance out the nervous system. The galvanic skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductance. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin suggests a more balanced state in the nervous system – parasympathetic (The parasympathetic nervous system predominates in quiet “rest and digest” conditions while the sympathetic nervous system drives the “fight or flight” response in stressful situations).

GOOD LIFE ~Shabbat Eve

I woke up this morning hankering for a nature walk – I decided to walk a portion of the Pacific Way Trail, downtown. As I was walking out the front door … I gave my SIL a jingle, and asked if she’d like to join me, and have lunch afterwards: she did 😊

Before I got into the Highlander, I grabbed that horrible book I’ve been suffering through – and threw it into the garbage bin. It was such a boring accounting of a boorish life; that I could not in all good conscience, pass it on to anyone else!

I crossed the highway to get a mug of flavored coffee … and got my funny-bone tickled when I read the window sticker of the pickup in front of me 😉

Into the garbage; I could not take another page of the dribble ...

Refreshed, relaxed, and enjoying the cooling river breeze, heralding the arrival of Fall.

My funny-bone was tickled - I laughed out loud.

I arrived at Merry’s house, and my eye caught a recurring theme that is running through my life this year – it was the perfect highlighting to the waning of Shabbat.

The 'still, quiet, voice' was loud and clear 😉

After our short walk, I drove to Castle Rock where we enjoyed a light Supper of a ham and cheese sandwich, with a large scoop of potato salad on the side; it {fit} the Fallish atmosphere – we had watched, and commented on falling leaves driving to … and leaving … Castle Rock.

We both love enjoy season of the year 😊

We had enjoyed a good time together, and made plans to spend more time together. We talked of family (and shared memories of Bob too, of course); and talked of ways we are both piecing a “new life” into the fabric of our “old life”. Merry has more experience at it, living a single life longer than me – and I am learning from her how to confidently move into the deep waters of my New Life.

I had a good ‘old’ life.

I have a good New Life.

When I got back home, I grabbed a new read from the top of my book pile. I smiled when I read the cover title: I love cowboy stories – even cheesy ones 😉

New Read; it's funny, and the storyline moves along at a quick pace.

My personal 'cowboy' in his Heyday; 1967. "Heyday is the period of adulthood strength, vigor, or influence – the expression apparently comes from the old Germanic word "heyda, which is similar to our "hurrah. It's also the word from which we get the exclamation "hey.

I’m going to kick back with a glass of wine to end Shabbat and welcome the new week; and bury myself in the storyline. I may even finish it before morning arrives 😊

DUST IF YOU MUST … I Prefer To Have Fun!