Cortisol vs. DHA...the fight is on.

So, here is a secret for a long and happy life.  Create more DHA and eliminate Cortisol.  The secret to life is DHA. The more your body produces it the more happy you will be.  DHA cannot only be found in good fatty acids like fish oil or omega 3 oil, but your body can secrete this magic fatty acid in your own body, specially your brain, each time you have good thoughts about your self and others, whenever you force to see the glass half full rather than half empty, or whenever you think rationally.  Being out in the sun doing gardening, or exercising produces DHA, kissing produces DHA, so does holding hands and being touched. 

Cortisol is necessary to combat stress but too much can be very bad for you.  Yes.  This is a hormone that your body secretes whenever you are under stress, in a bad mood, grouchy, irritable, cranky, or you just having negative thoughts about yourself or others.  Cortisol is to the brain as water is to a computer, it causes electrical damage.  Watching the news, a depressing movie, being too sarcastic, or hating someone causes your body to  create unnecessary levels of Cortisol in your brain and body.  Cortisol also lowers your immune system and it causes you to be more susceptible to air borne illnesses.  It is well known that it also causes cognitive impairments.

Two days ago a study came out indicating that people that were optimistic about life recover much faster from surgery than people who are pessimistic...why?  DHA!!!  That is right.  DHA improves your immune system and it increase your life expentacy.  I have a grandmother named Etelvina and everyone thinks that she is a little bit loca but she has a lot of energy and she is always laughing; manic, but laughing; why? DHA!

Want some good DHA? Start taking Omega 3 oil capsules, they sell it over the market; start eating more fish, spend more time outside, talk to people, buy flowers and put it on your table, or go to your nearest worship house and borrow some from their beautiful garden (ha ha ha).

Three Days of Camping at Box Lake, Idaho

Glad that I could hike 15 miles of steep and trecharous trails. 

 

Box Lake, Idaho

The Challenge: Climbing down a mountain designed only for mountain goats to climb.

40 lbs of backpacs and miles of hiking upward, priceless!!!

Trails without ends

Tree tipping; just because...

Nature

Sprinklers

I have noticed that during the times that I go out to the front yard to fix a broken sprinkler, which is about once or twice a year, either of my neighbors goes out to do some chore like get the mail or get in their car. From that small conversations have started. Simple ones, but enough to get a glimpse of their lives.

I am taking back to the times in my childhood when my grandmother Etelvina went out to her small small patch of green grass and flowers located in front of her house. She would dig out the hose and water the plants and stood there, for hours it seemed, until the job was done. At times I would notice that during the time she was out doing this chore other neighbors would come out and head to the store, get their newspaper, or get in the car. Some of them took time to start conversations; from small chats to 'chismes' the conversations appeared lively and the stories began to take shape. I am wondering if sprinklers were never invented, would our neighborly life be different today?

I am wondering if sprinklers are to blame for the lack of social interaction that used to take place between neighbors. Sure, they help us water the grass so that we can be involved doing other things, like sleep, or work, or cater to the needs of our children. But what we have given up to save time is now costing us more as a community. The regular face to face interaction with our neighbors is priceless. Facebook won't replace it. A summer neighborhood block barbeque won't substitute it. Hoses gave us more opportunities to know our neighbors than sprinklers ever will. Don't get me wrong, I am not Ted Kazynski. Nor I am making a case for getting rid of sprinklers. I am making an observation to make a point. Sometimes when you get something that you think it will save you time and money you could be given up something that you could later regret.

Now, off to fix my sprinkler. 

The First

There is always a first time.  This is one of them.  Blogging.  Yes, I'll be posting thoughts and things that capture my curiosity and fancy.  First things first, the title of this blog.  It is my favorite quote from anything that I have read, and it comes from the Book of Mormon :

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  (2 Nephi 30). 

Ok...this passage says it all.  It is the motto for my life; it is what I strive for.  What is your favorite quote or scripture?