Be at Peace

 

Be at Peace

 

Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;

 

Rather look to them with full hope as they arise.

 

God, whose very own you are,

 

Will deliver you from out of them.

 

He has kept you hitherto,

 

And He will lead you safely through all things;

 

And when you cannot stand it,

 

God will bury you in his arms.

 

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

 

The same everlasting Father who cares for you today

 

Will take care of you then and everyday.

 

He will either shield you from suffering,

 

Or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

 

Be at peace,

 

And put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.

 

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

The Power of Prayer

 

"Prayer is the only means of bringing about orderliness and peace and repose in our daily acts."

This simple statement by Mahatma Gandhi reflects the experience of a man whose faith, values, and dedication to a cause transformed an entire nation.

After the horrific events of 9/11, the people of the United States turned to prayer to find comfort, unity, and meaning in the midst of tragedy.

Since the dawn of civilization, people have prayed to a higher power for health, guidance, forgiveness, gratitude, and transformation.

Prayer fulfills a natural human longing for communion with God. During times of stress, when we are feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, prayer offers us release, reminds us of our priorities, and restores balance to our lives.

Prayer is an act of love. We pray because we care about our loved ones, our nation, and our world.

It is an act of hope. When we pray, we know we are not alone. We can face our difficulties with renewed strength and courage.

Praying confirms our faith and belief in a higher power. It reinforces our conviction that a spiritual world exists. It helps us to transcend our daily struggles and to find peace inside ourselves.

Many scientific studies have been done on the effects of prayer, but prayer cannot be quantified by science. No conclusive evidence exists to either prove or disprove the effectiveness of prayer. And this is to be expected, for prayer is a very private and individual act of worship.

Researchers have shown, however, that people who consider spiritual activities an important part of their lives tend to live longer, recover from illness more quickly, and deal more effectively with grief.

David B. Larson, MD of the International Center for the Integration of Health and Spirituality summed it up nicely when he reported, "Statistically, God is good for you."

Amen.

Dawn Pisturino, RN
May 12, 2007

Copyright 2007-2013 DawnPisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Living with Insomnia

 

Do you lie awake at night counting sheep? You are not alone. It has been estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from persistent insomnia.

 

This can eventually lead to serious health problems. Researchers have linked inadequate sleep with higher risks for developing Type II diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cardiac dysrhythmias, heart attack, and stroke. One study showed that people who regularly get less than five hours of sleep have a 45% higher risk of having a heart attack.

 

Worry and anxiety seem to be the most common culprits.

 

Natural herbal remedies that can calm the nerves include chamomile, valerian, hops, skullcap, passion flower, and kava kava.

 

Taking a warm bath or hot shower before bed relaxes and soothes a tired body and active mind.

 

Quiet music, soft lights, and a peaceful environment help to set the right mood for sleep. (They also set the right mood for good old-fashioned sex, which  may just solve your sleep problem.)

 

Burn some essential oil of lavender in an oil burner or sprinkle some on your pillow. The essence of lavender has been used for centuries to relieve anxiety and tension.

 

Avoid drinking caffeine after lunch or taking an afternoon siesta.

 

Find someone with a sympathetic ear and talk about your fears and anxieties. Just the act of expressing yourself releases pent up tension.

 

Protein foods containing calcium or the amino acid tryptophan have a calming effect and make a great bedtime snack. Try warm milk, cheese, and turkey.

 

Practicing meditation or asking your partner for a back and shoulder massage can relax the mind and body enough to produce drowsiness. If this does not work, try repeating a favorite prayer, phrase, or poem over and over again until you fall asleep.

 

Listening to a guided imagery CD or visualizing your fantasy vacation can help overcome troubling thoughts which keep you awake.

 

If you continue to have problems, consult a physician or professional therapist.

 

Dawn Pisturino

Published April 10, 2007 in The Kingman Daily Miner.

Copyright 2013 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.