Lockdown 530

Lockdown Day 530 - 7 September 2021

Human contact is still fresh on my mind and everywhere I go, I see the positive effect on people. A smile goes a long way and brightens the day. But did you know what happens when you produce a smile or friendly expression? According to many research platforms and journals, it is fairly easy to tell a fake smile from a real one, with most people reacting to either from an emotional place or the amygdala. Contrary to popular belief, the amount of work the muscles have to do for both is about the same.

The truth is, smiling does take less of a toll on your body and mental health. The physical and psychological benefits are worth the smile☺ .  Not only does a smile elevate your mood instantly, but it also causes your muscle groups to relax, releasing excess tension throughout your body.  Also, smiling is contagious, causing others to smile when they perceive your smile as genuine (remember they can distinguish between fake and genuine), making you more attractive as well!

So, flashing your pearly whites can most certainly brighten up your day. Having far more benefits you don't even know of, even the faintest smile serves as a trigger for the release of happy hormones such as dopamine. This is crucial in the activation of your immune system, triggering killer cell production and increases antibodies in your blood. It also lowers blood pressure and has pain-reducing properties. So, when you smile, you become a happy, strong and resilient person who feels relaxed and in good spirits, enjoying excellent health and well-being.

So, to prove this theory right, let's smile on purpose more often, even when we are alone. Consider this a challenge. Even when you have enough reason to frown, try a smile, and take note of your body's reaction to the smile.  I share with you a video of Michael Bublé's  It's a Beautiful Day. Although he's actually singing of a break-up, he decides to look at the world differently by smiling and choosing to be happy and see the beauty in everything. Allow it to replay all day in your mind and who knows, you may end up smiling for no reason!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RglMIKG0GFw

"A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:13

"Bright eyes bring joy to the heart. Good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30

Taking God's Word seriously heals our spirit, body and soul. This is Truth and you can believe it. Because God's got this.

Lockdown 529

Lockdown Day 529 - 6 September 2021

Alfred Wainwright once said, “Oh, how can I put into words the joys of a walk over country such as this;

the scenes that delight the eyes, the blessed peace of mind, the sheer exuberance which fills your soul as you tread the firm turf?

This is something to be lived, not read about. “

Still on the green theme, I felt like some virtual forest bathing. If you can go to such a place, even better. For those who first need to negotiate the week until the weekend, here are some of the virtual walks that will help you stay whole and healthy.

If the first one is too long, save some for later, and the last one is a forest "lift" here in our own beautiful country that is now on my bucket list. Enjoy:

https://youtu.be/yCJYlj9HN7k

https://youtu.be/NZmmR3VyfPs

https://youtu.be/4vk46x1weMI

"There is something to be said about the vastness of the earth, as well as the vastness of the heavens, in reminding us how small we are and how great God's creation is."

Aleksandra Layland

#Ggt

Lockdown 528

Lockdown Day 528 - 5 September 2021

Sunday number 76. After yesterday's movie, Secret Garden, I decided to make pretty and enchanted gardens this Sunday's image focus:

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Luke 12:27

#Ggt

Lockdown 527

Lockdown Day 527 - 4 September 2021

Today I had an early walk at first light, after which I had breakfast with Riëtte at Savages where we tried their poached eggs on rösti. It was layered with sone tzatziki and a sweet tomato relish with fresh rocket. The flat white was strong with that feint bitterness I like and provided a perfect end to a perfect breakfast.

I spent the rest of my day switching channels between the paralympics and the La Vuelta cycle tour in Spain. Accidentally punching in the wrong channel, I came across the last half of a movie about a secret garden. Later, I watched Frozen II, an animated movie about an enchanted forest.

For the longest time, I have not enjoyed two movies this much, finding myself cheering the heroes on to victory, escaping reality for a bit, maskless and without sanitiser, letting my thoughts run free and singing along out loud with the theme songs.

I remember one of our local pop artists once said these kinds of movies spoke deeply to the heart, while getting lost in the imaginary lives of the heroes.

How right she was. I find a couple of things they said got stuck in my mind.

When things seem dark and overcast, just do the next right thing.

And, find the enchantment, and healing will find you.

The song, Secret Garden by Aurora, really spoke to me, reminding me that if I look up the presence of God, He will be there, waiting to spend time with me:

https://youtu.be/vUTG-qYOldc

Letting go actually ushers in God's will. Surrendering to His will brings complete freedom. He does get us, and He has got this.

Lockdown 526

Lockdown Day 526 - 3 September 2021

Yesterday I wrote about the heart and our design to mirror God's Triunity . The same applies to the brain.

I discovered this a couple of years ago while doing training for therapists on understanding the Bible from a medical perspective as well as understanding medicine from a Biblical perspective.

God created us in His image.

Therefore our spirit, soul and body are also a triunity.

This is intertwined with the triple layer of tissue we were designed from since conception.

An embryo's three layers are the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. Each of these layers developed into our bodies as we know it, and each layer's developed parts are connected to our spirit, soul and body.

✨Ectoderm- develops into skin, brain and nervous system which all have to do with our mind(thoughts) having communion with God the Father through our spirit.

✨Mesoderm- develops into heart, kidneys and everything to do with movement such as joints and muscles,  bones and cartilage which connects our conscience and free will to Jesus through our soul.

✨Endoderm- develops into lungs, liver, intestines and endocrine system (hormones) which is resposible for that 'gut feeling', and connects with the Holy Spirit through our body.

So, you see, it is impossible to view the human being without the God-connection. Because His Triunity is embedded into our design.

He is the One who thoroughly gets us and understands us because He's designed us this way.

So why not follow Him with all you have. He is the key to an abundant life of fearless love, guiltless righteousness and shameless identity in Christ.

https://youtu.be/8yV0pu60Uqs

#Ggt

Lockdown 525

Lockdown Day 525 - 2 September 2021

What's in a heart?

Today I feel compelled to write about the heart. After being spoiled with the most unexpected beautiful heart in the clouds yesterday, the image got stuck in my brain.

To me, nothing is a coincidence, and everything has purpose. Also, because I am a cloud gazer, I believe you see what you are meant to see, especially because cloud patterns change so quickly.

The word heart is decribed by the oxford dictionary  as the physical blood circulating organ in the human body. But the heart is also a centre of human emotions where courage and hope come from.

The most amazing discovery I once made is the way God gave some of our organs each their own heart and wove them all together with our main heart to mirror His triunity in function and design.

Seeing a heart in the clouds was a confirmation of God’s heart for this drought stricken area as well as a reminder where our focus should be! Looking up holds the eternal promise that faith really can move mountains.

As Jesus Himself said, "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:19‭-‬20

#Ggt

Lockdown 524

Lockdown Day 524 - 1 September 2021

Spring day in sunny SA. My memories of this day totals a sum of lots of cold and rain. And today is no different. After 15mm of rain overnight, it is partly overcast and probably one of the  coldest mornings we have had since arriving here. No surprises there!

Seaonal change happens 4 times a year when the earth's axial rotation together with its year-long rotation around the sun causes one hemisphere to be further and the other closer to the sun.

Because God created everything, I believe He put a little of Himself in it. This is why our life also goes through seasons. The physical seasons are mirrored in our lives too and whether we feel it or not, each year our lives are touched by the spiritual significance of the changing of seasons.

So tonight I offer up a prayer to our Creator God to help us tune into His rhythm. I pray for open spiritual eyes so we can see the significance of this season take shape in our daily walk with Him. And I thank Him for new life and the blessing of rain.

Because He's got this.