Dear Readers,
I recently watched a National Geographic documentary on stress. It was absolutely fascinating. Even the hippie from Berkley who has made more advances in the studies of stress then anyone else alive was fascinating to me. I learned several things, such as baboons are just as obnoxious as humans, that mother's of young or disabled children produce more stress hormones than anyone else, and that fat bellies are stress induced. But wait! There's so much more I have to tell you about this! I promise I have a point.
One thing that the smart hippie figured out, and has been proven several times over now by several scientists, is that stress causes the destruction of the cap on DNA helix's. Because I have a short memory for scientific jargon, I can't remember what the cap is called. However, it's very important, as it helps control the rate by which we age. Stress eats away at these caps like Badger girls at Thanksgiving dinner. The faster they deteriorate, the older your body becomes. So, for instance, woman with small and/or disabled children have so much stress that they are actually aging 6 years to every 1 year they live, and have a higher mortality rate at a significantly younger age than mothers of non-disabled kids. But, the hippie and scientists have found a way to combat the ill effects of stress, and actually physically slow down the breakdown of helix's and promote a less stressful lifestyle. Are your ready for this? Alright, here's the secret: compassion.
Doing good works, living the "golden rule", loving thy neighbor, and all that other crap helps to produce dopamine and serotonin as well as several other chemicals that help to rebuild the little caps that help us age at a slower rate. Remember how good it feels when you help someone out? That's because your brain recognizes that you were nice and rewards you with tasty, happy chemicals.
On a completely different note, my mother-in-law, Paula, stopped by earlier this evening. I have to say that I really lucked out when it comes to my husband's mother. She's awesome. She laughs at my jokes, enjoys eating my chocolates, loves my son more than anyone else on the planet, and doesn't yell at me for swearing in front of her. Being around Paula is like being around a good friend that I'm always happy to see. She's also very pretty, extremely kind, and has always (ALWAYS) been there for Shay, Lucas and I. Today she came over to visit and we had a great time talking and catching up a bit. Shay had mentioned some funny financial problems we've been having lately. Well, not lately. Let's just say that we're pros at being broke. But anyhow, it was just mentioned in passing and in no seriousness. Later, after Paula left, I went to give Lucas his dinner, and notice that Paula had quietly left a little financial help on the table. Upon seeing this, my heart filled with gratitude and my eyes filled with tears. It's funny because it's not even the money that matters. I hate money. Rather, it's the unassuming selfless nature of Paula wanting to help that touches my heart. And the thought crossed my mind that she probably has the youngest, healthiest DNA helix's of any one I know.
In closing, I want to have less stress. I also want to be a better person. It's so convenient that I can achieve a more peaceful life by helping others find peace as well. I don't have the means to leave gifts on coffee tables, but I do have the ability to make little differences every day. So if I see you, and I'm mean or obnoxious, just whisper in my ear that I'm starting to resemble an old hag, and somewhere inside I will find the kindness I need to hold myself back from punching you in the face.
Sincerely,
h.
