The Science of Happiness about Marriage and Parenting

The Science of Happiness about Marriage

Most Americans still want to get married, not just because of legally binding themselves to one another, but because of marital bliss and happiness. According to the science of happiness, married people tend to the wealthier, healthier, and more sexually fulfilled than unmarried people. Of course, there are many exceptions.

Marriage can—but not should—make you happy. What you need to do is to invest a lot of time and energy into your marriage to make you happy by turning it into a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. In other words, a good and happy marriage brings out the best in each other, and thus instrumental in bringing happiness.

According to several studies, those who are wealthy and educated get divorced much more than those who struggle; also, splitting happens more frequently later in life than they once were. They are the realities of marriage.

Remember:

A good marriage makes you healthier and happier. Marital bliss lasts longer than the happiness of unmarried couples.

The Science of Happiness about Parenting

Parenting may bring you satisfaction only if you are intentionally starting a family. But parenting is undertaking a difficult new venture fraught with many responsibilities, which are often very unpredictable. In addition, you are forfeiting a lot of things that made you happy in the past.

Economist Andrew Oswald once said: “It’s not that children make you less happy; it’s just that children don’t make you more happy.”

But, according to a team of Californian psychologists, “overall, parents report happier, more satisfied, and thinking more about the meaning in life than non-parents do.”

Given that children create more work for those who love them, young parents, single parents, and moms may not find happiness in bringing up their children.

Remember:

If you are thinking of having kids to make you happier, think again! A parent’s first job is not to raise kids, but to enjoy them.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau

The TAO Wisdom to Heal

Millions and billions of people worldwide are suffering from autoimmune diseases, including myasthenia gravis which is only one of the many different autoimmune disorders that are causing anxiety, fear, pain, mental confusion, and even suicidal thoughts in some of those afflicted.

According to Western medicine, there is no known cure for autoimmune diseases due to the complexity of their causes. Understandably, patients afflicted with autoimmune diseases are seeking healing from many different healing modalities, such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Ayurvedic medicine, and among many others. In addition, they are desperately looking for help from herbs, fruits, and all kinds of natural nutrient supplements, as well as from physical exercises and spiritual practices, to rejuvenate their failing health due to their weakened immune systems.

The TAO may play a pivotal role in the healing process of any autoimmune disease, including that of myasthenia gravis.

The TAO is the profound wisdom of Lao Tzu, the ancient sage from China more than 2,600 years ago, who was the author of the immortal ancient classic Tao Te Ching on human wisdom.

The word “TAO” (道) in Chinese originally meant “road.” Later, it came to mean “way” and hence “the Way.” The TAO is “the Way” of looking at the world with a certain attitude of the mind, which is totally different from that of the West, and that is why it is so intriguing and fascinating, as evidenced by the fact that Tao Te Ching (道 德 經), the book of the TAO by Lao Tzu, is one of the most translated books in the world.

The TAO may provide self-inspiration and self-intuition for those who have to confront all the changes and challenges when diagnosed with myasthenia gravis or any autoimmune disease.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau

The Law of Attraction

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”  - Napoleon Hill

The wisdom is that an adversity may be a blessing in disguise. Worse, if one dwells on the adversity, one may attract more adversities.

The Law of Attraction is about energy attraction: positive energies attracting positive energies, and the same for negative energies. This revolutionary concept has been exponentially popularized by the film "The Secret" as well as by the bestseller book and other related publications across the Internet.

Is the Law of Attraction a myth of the mind or a reality in real life? Can the Law of Attraction really help your healing from rsdiseases and disorders?

Say, when an individual is diagnosed with cancer, that individual often becomes obsessed with anxiety about its treatment options as well as the prognosis of the disease. Obsession with cancer may internalize it into self-doubt and even fear. If an individual is preoccupied with the thought that breast cancer runs in the family, that individual may have predominant thoughts of cancer. Even "positive" thoughts, such as "I am not going to get breast cancer like my mother, my grandmother, or my sister" will only attract negative energy into that individual's life, because the mind only sees the word "cancer" and the "cancer fear" and nothing else. Just as a person buying a lottery ticket will not be attracting energy of abundance, because the mind is focusing on the lack rather than on the abundance, and thus attracting negative and not positive energy.

Once you have decided on what you want: a clean bill of health, you proceed to changing your thoughts and feelings. This may not happen right away, it may take time and effort to shift your thoughts, language, and emotions. Develop positive affirmations and self-suggestions to help you day in and day out. Keep the end in mind, that is, the core values in your life. Live everyday of your life in alignment with what you believe in Hold in your mind the ideal of the condition you wish to realize, the ideal reality you want to experience. The affirmation "I am whole and healthy .....I am loving and compassionate.....I am strong and powerful" holds the key to attaining natural health wisdom.

Abundance in natural health will not come to you out of the sky; neither will it drop into your lap. You must focus on the Law of Attraction and how you will bring this law to attract positive health energies. Make a powerful statement of intent to regain your natural health at all costs. Hold in mind the ideal condition you desire. Use a powerful affirmation and mental imagery to affirm it as an already existing fact until it is absorbed by your subconscious mind to give you the internal life energy.

Congratulations. You've Got Cancer: Learn how to use your mind to overcome the anxiety of a cancer diagnosis. Empower your mind to cope with cancer.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau

                                       

The Intent to Live Longer

One of Lao Tzu’s famous sayings is “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” The journey of the TAO of living longer is a great undertaking: every step is as important as the first; and each step is as firm as the previous one, given that the Chinese often like to say “feet stepping on steady ground.”

It must be remembered that the TAO is about neither longevity nor immortality. It is about the wisdom of living life to the fullest in the physical world, making your final departure with grace and meaning at the appropriate time, whether it is 30 years, 60 years, or 100 years and beyond. Having said that, the TAO may still enable you to look at your living longer through the all-inclusive lens of the TAO. Your journey is the sum of all your steps.

Take the  Step of Intent to Live Longer

Remember, the lifespan of humans is relative. In other words, your lifespan is related only to you alone--just as some insects are born in the morning rand die by nightfall, while other insects are born in the spring and live until the late summer.

Anyway, living longer may be one of your desires in life.

To take the first step on this journey of living longer, you must, first and foremost, show your intent to live longer, especially if it is your steely resolve to reach the destination of your journey.  

So, what exactly is intent? Intent is your innate and yet inexplicable power that comes into play when you decide to move forward. With focused intent, it may look like that everyone and everything around you are playing a role in facilitating in your favor all your endeavors.  

On this journey of living longer, keep yourself moving forward with your intent, backed up with actual action, and you will go the distance on your journey.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau

Acid and Alkaline Balance

A healthy body means there is balance in acid and alkaline in the body.

Alkalizing medicinal plants

Alkalizing medicinal plants to balance acid-alkaline levels include the following:

Black currant fruits are a good source of vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals, including an omega-6 fatty acid to increase blood flow, to decrease blood clotting, and to reduce inflammation (often a source of many types of body pain).

Black currant seed oil is especially good for rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties in decreasing the morning stiffness in the joints. According to the British Journal of Rheumatology, black currant oil is effective because of a reduction in the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines (a source of inflammation). Black currant seed oil is also beneficial to cardiovascular disease due to the presence of its omega-6 fatty acids. Black currant seed oil helps reduce the severity of menstrual cramps due to the anti-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids.

According to the Skin Study Center in Philadelphia, black currant seed oil helps with dry skin disorders. The gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) in black currant protects against water loss that contributes to itching and other symptoms associated with dry skin.

Burdock is a plant native to Asia and Europe, which has become available to all parts of the world. Ancient Chinese and Indian herbalists used burdock to treat respiratory infections, abscesses, and joint pain. The root of burdock is the primary source of most herbal preparations. The Japanese eat burdock root as a vegetable.

Cranberry has been in use since the Iron Age, but the Romans were the first to recognize its medicinal values. Cranberry contains anti-asthmatic compounds, and is high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Scientific studies have shown cranberry to be effective in helping to prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections. This berry is useful in fighting yeast infections, as well as kidney stones and chronic kidney inflammation. According to a study reported at the 2006 International Association for Dental Research's 84th General Session & Exhibition in Brisbane, Australia, the antioxidant properties of cranberry help fight dental plaque.

Alkalizing energy boosters

Alkalizing energy boosters to balance acid-alkaline levels include the following:

Spirulina is a green alga, rich in chlorophyll, containing the highest protein and beta-carotene levels of all green super foods. It is one of the highest known vegetable sources of B-12, minerals, trace elements, cell salts, amino acids, DNA and RNA, and enzymes. Spirulina helps with digestion, elimination, detoxification, internal cleansing, tissue repair, skin problems, healing, and prevention of degenerative disease. It also promotes longevity. Spirulina is useful in weight-control diets because its high nutritional value helps to satisfy the hidden hunger of deficiencies.

Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of iron and calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. It can even reverse your gray hair due to its copper content.

Make a healthy drink with a tablespoon of organic blackstrap molasses (mixed in some hot water first) and ¾ cup of soymilk with some ice.

Cod liver oil comes from fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines; it is rich in vitamin A and vitamin D, and essential omega 3 oils. It enhances the absorption of calcium and maintains a constant level of blood calcium. Cod liver oil improves brain functions and the nervous system. In 2005, researchers at the University of California reported that Vitamin D might lower the risk of developing different types of cancers, cutting in half the chances of getting breast, ovarian, or colon cancer.

Alkaline supplements

Alkaline supplements may also be taken to balance the acid-alkaline levels. Alkaline supplements should contain calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), silica and copper, and other minerals to aid de-acidification of your body. More importantly, they should contain every mineral in similar proportion to that found in the human body.

If you wish to be younger and healthier for longer, you must maintain your acid-alkaline balance in your body.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau

Relearning Self-Healing

Hippocrates (460 - 370 B.C.), the father of medicine, once said: “Our food should be our mf-Healingedicine. Our medicine should be our food.” Take a step further: let food be the “only” medicine for you. If you have developed a degenerative disease, start thinking of food as your medicine, in fact, the best medicine, if not the “only” medicine. Your body is designed to digest and utilize food to get its nutrients and energy. But only wholesome food can do that—not even supplements, because supplements are just what they are called.

If food is the “only” medicine for you, you will empower yourself with knowledge about food, and you will then pursue a proper diet with high-quality, non-toxic, nutritious food. That means, you will refrain yourself from eating any of those commercially-prepared and chemically-loaded foods obtainable at supermarkets. When food becomes the “only” medicine, you will also learn to trust your body; that is, you will relearn what your body is telling you, and how it responds to real and wholesome foods.

When you do become sick, you should also relearn how to use herbs as medicine. Herbs from different parts of plants have different therapeutic values that promote self-healing without the use of dangerous pharmaceutical drugs. As a matter of fact, many common herbs, such as cinnamon, garlic, and ginger, have been used as “food” medicine for thousands of years. According to a Chinese saying, “You can never draw a line between foods and herbs.” Indeed, herbs can cure many common ailments, such as constipation, cholesterol, high blood pressure, with little or no side effects. For example, use ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties to fight arthritis pain and nausea; use hawthorn berries for your cardiovascular health; use aloe juice to cure an upset stomach.

If food is your “only” medicine, you will make good use of it to improve your health and heal yourself of any disease.

Longevity is always drug-free. This makes sense: taking too many pharmaceutical drugs means your body is stressed by physical ailments. Ironically, these drugs may do you a further disservice by ingesting more toxins into your already toxin-loaded body. However, it does not imply that you must desist from taking your medications prescribed by your doctor. Rather, it suggests you should be more alert to the side effects of the drugs you are currently taking; you should not readily reach out for unsafe pharmaceutical drugs, especially those over-the-counter, without any second thought as if they were coupons or silver bullets.

Hippocrates had also said: “Healing is a matter of time, but it is also a matter of opportunity.” Therefore, give your body that opportunity for natural self-healing by going drug-free, although it may take more time.

Remember, when you give your body a drug that replaces a substance your body is capable of making itself, you body then becomes weaker, and begins not only to manufacture less of that substance, but also to become more dependent on the outside source, which is usually the drug. Over time, you will become no longer drug-free.

Unfortunately, no drug can give you insight into the circumstance that created your problems in the first place. At best, it can only temporarily assuage the physical pain created by your situation. Remember, there are no miracle drugs—only wholesome natural healing. Relearn to utilize your body’s natural healing power, rather than relying on unsafe pharmaceutical drugs. Keep yourself drug-free as much as and as long as possible!

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau

Healthy Eating

Myasthenia gravis is one of the many autoimmune diseases. To reduce the disease symptoms, eat a healthy diet to enhance the immune system. There are some basics of healthy eating; with a little discipline, they are simple to follow, and may go a long way to improving your immune system.

Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat

You become your food, and your food becomes you, because you are what you eat. What you eat and drink becomes your body chemistry.

Eating Less, Not More

Follow the “three-quarters” rule of eating: stop eating when you are three-quarters full. Never overeat.

Eating Frequently, Not Three Times a Day

You need not follow the habit of eating three times a day. Eat only when you are hungry, not because it is time to eat. Eating smaller meals more frequently is less taxing on your digestive and metabolic systems.

Eating Living Foods, Not Dead Foods

Eat only living foods: fresh, whole, and, preferably, organic foods.

Do not eat processed foods (supermarket foods), which are loaded with colorings, preservatives, and taste enhancers.

Do not eat empty-calorie foods, such as white flour and white sugar: foods are supposed to give you energy and nutrients, not just empty calories.

Also, stop eating foods that damage your thyroid, which is critical to your immune health.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau