"He’s always helping us, when we’re the ones who are supposed to be helping him!"
– Darian Harris
The Giver
It was “Demo Day” for the Fuel Accelerator last Wednesday and perhaps it was serendipitous that it was being held at the new Heartland Whole Health Institute. But, the serendipity was
just beginning to be unveiled, as Darian Harris loped up, in his larger than human stride and smile, to say hello.
“Andrew Bart tells me that your new Fuel Cohort in Phoenix is going very well,” I said, knowing that Darian was a key contributor to its successful launch.
“Yes!” Darian responded before continuing on with, “He’s always helping us, when we’re the ones who are supposed to be helping him!”
“That’s who he is,” I said while adding. “I’ve never met anyone who knows as many people and is constantly and happily connecting them to others in an
effort to be helpful!”
As those words left my mouth I remembered recent research that reveals how telomeres, tiny bits of DNA, can reduce stress while lengthening life. And, yes, this connection between telomeres and Andrew Bart came to me, while standing in the Heartland Whole Health Institute!
Scientific studies show that specific individual practices can help slow the deterioration of and even lengthen telomeres, potentially slowing down aging and improving overall health. The best news is that, unlike treatments such as Botox and facelifts, these don’t come with much of a price tag. I won’t go into the details of each research suggested practice, just the first one, the personal practice
of helping others. After all, it’s the trait that Andrew has fully assimilated into his life.
It can also be called the characteristic of compassion and fostering social connections.
Research studies have shown
that when elderly people are given something as simple as a plant to care for, they live longer. And many studies continue to make the point that helping others helps all of us individually.
A study from the University of Wisconsin found that people who practice loving-kindness meditation increased their telomerase activity, through an enzyme that helps
maintain telomere length.
Showing compassion to others, as well as ourselves, lowers stress hormones like cortisol and triggers positive physiological responses in the body. When you and I practice self-compassion or offer kindness to others, we feel calmer, more connected, and less stressed, which helps reduce the strain that stress puts on our
bodies.
Best of all, you and I can start receiving such benefits immediately by practicing small acts of kindness each day, whether it’s offering a kind word to a colleague or sending positive thoughts to someone you care about.
I’ve decided to call such small acts, “Andrew’s-micro-moments of giving.” Because when you give to others, life gives right back to you and your health, just like Andrew, The Giver.
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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle
Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of
discovery.
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