Often, I find goodies from outside of NLP-land that fit with my philosophy and NLP's presuppositions. One such nugget comes from this month's Personal Growth and Wellness E-Zine. The paragraph under "Did You Know" (below) talks about the effect of beliefs on people's immune systems, echoing the NLP presupposition, "Mind and body are part of the same system and affect each other."

I thought I would share the E-Zine with you, and because of the publisher's copyright notice (under "A Request", below), I am including the entire E-Zine, rather than cutting and pasting the parts I consider relevant. Besides, there's more good stuff in the E-Zine in addition to the "Did You Know" paragraph. For example, the "Feature Article" is a reprint of Erma Bomeck's famous lines, "If I Had my Life to Live Over." The Holidays seem like a good time to be reminded of these words. And the "Book/Video Review" talks about the healing power of love.

********************* Did You Know ... ********************* The more people believe they can cope with challenge, the less stress takes a toll of their bodies. People with this belief have stronger immune systems. (Bandura, A., 'Perceived self-efficacy in the exercise of control over AIDS infection', paper presented at the National Institutes of Mental Health and Drug Abuse Research Conference on Women and AIDS, Bethesda, MD, 1987.) ********************* Feature Article *********************

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

by Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "GOOD" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's" ... more "I'm sorry's" ...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute ... look at it and really see it ... live it ... and never give it back.

************************* Book/Video Review *************************

The Healing Power of Love

Dr Dean Ornish Video 70 mins. SRP $19.98

Dr. Dean Ornish was recently named by Life Magazine as one of the fifty most influential members of his generation. He is known for his work on diet, lifestyle and stress particularly as it relates to preventing heart disease. In this video - The Healing Power of Love - he explains the impact that loving relationships can have on our health.

Apparently, recent research shows that even severe heart disease can reverse when changes are made in diet and lifestyle, and that no other factor has a greater impact on our well-being than love. Loneliness can increase the risk of premature death by three to five times. Dr. Ornish says "We are touchy-feely creatures" and we need community. Loneliness can impair immune functioning, and those who report feeling loved and supported by their spouse show less arterial blockage when all other factors are taken into account. Apparently even the effects of even the big risk factors we all know about, cholesterol and lack of exercise, can be reduced by loving relationships.

In this video, Dr. Ornish shares something of his own spiritual journey and how on his fortieth birthday he was highly successful with many accomplishments but he felt lonely and isolated. Why? Because he was afraid to open his heart. He goes on to suggest ways to enhance intimacy through communication. Words matter; Dr. Ornish says that those who argue most have compromised immune systems. Words matter, and it's feeling that connects us. Emotions influence us more than thoughts which tend to keep us stuck in the past or the future.

Demonstrating his ideas through interacting with two married couples in the studio audience, Dr. Ornish encourages us to increase our communication skills and hence our intimacy. Relationships are about power, he says, when a person feels put down they want to either attack back or to act in passive-aggressive ways. Using a simple three-step process may not get you what you want, but will increase your intimacy with your partner or friend:

1. Distinguish between thoughts and feelings.

2. Share your feelings.

3. Listen to and acknowledge the other person's feelings.

Other areas that Dr. Ornish identifies where we can increase our well-being include; being part of a group; having compassion for ourselves; touch; even touching non-human animals can be important; meditation; altruism/service. This is a thought-provoking and informative video which gives concrete directions for increasing love and intimacy for greater health and balance. Made for television, it is well-crafted with excellent production quality.

Dr Ornish sums up his experience in the words of Swami Satyananda, "Nothing can bring you lasting happiness, but you have that already, if you stop disturbing it."

Submitted by; Caroline Hall of New Era Video which offers a unique library of inspirational and informative Personal Growth and Wellness videos to buy or borrow. Visit http://www.NewEraVideo.com. E-mail: NewEraVid@aol.com

********************************************

Personal Growth - http://find-it.hypermart.net/wellness.htm

Personal Growth and Wellness E-Zine Volume 1, Issue 9, December 16, 1999

Contents Of This Issue:
- Editor's Notes
- Thought for the Day
- Did You Know ...
- Sponsor Message
- Feature Article
- Reader Feedback
- Sponsor Message
- Humor
- Sponsor Message
- Book/Video Review
- Sponsor Message
- A Request
- Subscribe / Unsubscribe

********************** Editor's Notes **********************

We wish you the best of the Holiday Season and much happiness in the coming year. As you glide through the shopping and wrapping and visiting and eating, remember ... Breathing is Good!

This is a FREE newsletter, issued twice a month, that will feature articles and information from a wide variety of areas, including (and not limited to): Aromatherapy, Feng Shui, General Health, Homeopathy, Meditation, NLP, Polarity Therapy, Qigong, Reflexology, Reiki, Yoga, etc. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor. The contents herein should not be considered as a form of therapy or advice. There is no guarantee of validity or accuracy. We assume no responsibility for injury and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied for any products or services mentioned. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought.

We have a number of interesting articles lined up for you in the coming months and we are also looking for new articles. If you would like to submit an article or book review, please visit http://find-it.hypermart.net/articles.htm for more information.

Please share this newsletter with a friend. Our website is located at http://find-it.hypermart.net/find-it.htm

********************* Thought For The Day *********************

If an unusual necessity forces us onward, a surprising thing occurs. The fatigue gets worse up to a certain point, when, gradually or suddenly, it passes away and we are fresher than before! We have evidently tapped a new level of energy. There may be layer after layer of this experience, a third and fourth "wind". We find amounts of ease and power that we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength habitually not taxed, because habitually we never push through the obstruction of fatigue. William James

********************* Sponsor Message *********************

Nightingale-Conant On-line is a great place to find videos, audiotapes and books presented by internationally recognized authors such as: Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins, Brian Tracy, Wayne Dyer, and Napoleon Hill. Topics include: Business, Health & Wellness, Mind Technology, Personal Development, Spiritual Growth, Wealth Building, and Christianity. Certainly worth a visit. Click here! http://www.nightingale.com/index.asp?wci=tHome&source=aff47

********************* Sponsor Message *********************

For a great selection of music and special Christmas offers and gifts, visit CDNow! Please click here! http://www.cdnow.com/from=sr-3141429

************************* Humor *************************

Famous Church signs....

Free Trip to heaven. Details inside!

Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins.

Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!

Have trouble sleeping? We have sermons - come hear one!

People are like tea bags - you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are.

God so loved the world that He did not send a committee.

Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush!

When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out all right!

Fight truth decay - study the Bible daily.

How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Nonsmoking?

Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world.

Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon.

This is a CH_ _ CH What is missing? UR

Forbidden fruit creates many jams.

Running low on faith? Stop in for a fill-up.

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.

********************* Sponsor Message *********************

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********************* Sponsor Message *********************

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************************** A Request **************************

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share with your friends/colleagues. You may reproduce, copy or distribute this newsletter only in its entirety and provided copyright is acknowledged.

********************* Subscribe / Unsubscribe *********************

To subscribe or to view previous issues, please visit http://selfgrowth.listbot.com. You may also subscribe by sending a blank e-mail message to selfgrowth-subscribe@listbot.com

To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to selfgrowth-unsubscribe@listbot.com

******************** Sponsor Message ****************************

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