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The Empty Gift Box.
The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.”
He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty.
He yelled at her, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside it?”
The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, “Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy.”
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.
It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us as humans have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, friends, family or God.
There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
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6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
Editor’s Note:
Over the past few years we’ve identified that in addition to making the world a kinder, better place that our readership of Kindhearts like you also want to live longer and healthier lives. As such, we’ve gone on a recruiting mission to find great new writers who can give us ideas so that we can all “Live well. Be kind.”
Today is our first of many great ideas for living better. Enjoy!
6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
When we’re feeling down, we often turn to our friends for solace or look for an activity that can distract us from our worries. Our first instinct isn’t usually to turn to food — unless it’s to dig into a pint of ice cream for comfort— but eating the right diet can actually boost your mood and your happiness overall. Whether you’re stressed out and anxious or you just don’t have the energy or motivation to get through the day, picking the right foods can help keep you feeling relaxed and upbeat.
It might sound farfetched that food can so greatly affect your mood, but research shows that certain types of diets can have a significant effect on your happiness levels. One study from the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that people who ate a typical Mediterranean diet filled with whole and unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, and olive oil were much happier than those who ate a standard Western diet that included a lot of fast food, dessert, and soda.
Eating healthy foods can provide you with the nutrients your body needs to help fight off depression and keep your stress levels at bay. If you need a little boost in your mood, try eating one of these six feel-good foods that will have you smiling in no-time.
1. Dark Chocolate
As if you need another excuse to eat the sweet treat: dark chocolate has been found to fight off anxiety and depression. One study from the Journal of Proteome Research found that daily consumption of chocolate led to lower levels of stress hormones. Cocoa also contains antioxidants called polyphenols which can help fight against depression and other mental disorders.
Make sure you opt for chocolate with 70 percent cocoa or higher, and avoid kinds with added sugar, which can actually have the reverse effect.
2. Berries
Berries such as raspberries and strawberries contain a natural ingredient that closely resembles valproic acid, a chemical used in prescription mood-stabilizing drugs. One study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine also found that daily consumption of goji berry juice increased people’s general feelings of wellbeing
3. Turkey
Turkey contains two important nutrients that help play a role in your mood: selenium and tryptophan. Research from the journal Biological Psychiatry found that subjects who received selenium supplements experienced a decrease in anxiety and elevated mood. Additionally, tryptophan is an amino acid that is responsible for synthesizing serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Increasing your intake of tryptophan results in higher levels of serotonin, which can not only improve your mood, but even your behavior.
4. Nuts
If you’re a fan of snacking throughout the day, start chowing down on some nuts. Like turkey, nuts can also help boost your serotonin levels, and it only takes one ounce of nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts to improve your happiness.
5. Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, an important mood-boosting nutrient. Research shows that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve symptoms of depression. One study from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry even found that omega-3 fatty acids are just as effective at improving mood as an antidepressant.
6. Leafy Greens
Greens such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and other lettuce contain folic acid, an important B vitamin that plays a role in mood regulation, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Research from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry shows that increasing your intake of folate can help reduce depressive symptoms.
When in doubt, you’re always best sticking to whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, but the above foods especially can help keep you calm and positive overall.
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14 Jul 2016
6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
Editor’s Note:
Over the past few years we’ve identified that in addition to making the world a kinder, better place that our readership of Kindhearts like you also want to live longer and healthier lives. As such, we’ve gone on a recruiting mission to find great new writers who can give us ideas so that we can all “Live well. Be kind.”
Today is our first of many great ideas for living better. Enjoy!
6 Feel-Good Foods That Naturally Boost Your Mood
When we’re feeling down, we often turn to our friends for solace or look for an activity that can distract us from our worries. Our first instinct isn’t usually to turn to food — unless it’s to dig into a pint of ice cream for comfort— but eating the right diet can actually boost your mood and your happiness overall. Whether you’re stressed out and anxious or you just don’t have the energy or motivation to get through the day, picking the right foods can help keep you feeling relaxed and upbeat.
It might sound farfetched that food can so greatly affect your mood, but research shows that certain types of diets can have a significant effect on your happiness levels. One study from the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that people who ate a typical Mediterranean diet filled with whole and unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, and olive oil were much happier than those who ate a standard Western diet that included a lot of fast food, dessert, and soda.
Eating healthy foods can provide you with the nutrients your body needs to help fight off depression and keep your stress levels at bay. If you need a little boost in your mood, try eating one of these six feel-good foods that will have you smiling in no-time.
1. Dark Chocolate
As if you need another excuse to eat the sweet treat: dark chocolate has been found to fight off anxiety and depression. One study from the Journal of Proteome Research found that daily consumption of chocolate led to lower levels of stress hormones. Cocoa also contains antioxidants called polyphenols which can help fight against depression and other mental disorders.
Make sure you opt for chocolate with 70 percent cocoa or higher, and avoid kinds with added sugar, which can actually have the reverse effect.
2. Berries
Berries such as raspberries and strawberries contain a natural ingredient that closely resembles valproic acid, a chemical used in prescription mood-stabilizing drugs. One study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine also found that daily consumption of goji berry juice increased people’s general feelings of wellbeing
3. Turkey
Turkey contains two important nutrients that help play a role in your mood: selenium and tryptophan. Research from the journal Biological Psychiatry found that subjects who received selenium supplements experienced a decrease in anxiety and elevated mood. Additionally, tryptophan is an amino acid that is responsible for synthesizing serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Increasing your intake of tryptophan results in higher levels of serotonin, which can not only improve your mood, but even your behavior.
4. Nuts
If you’re a fan of snacking throughout the day, start chowing down on some nuts. Like turkey, nuts can also help boost your serotonin levels, and it only takes one ounce of nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts to improve your happiness.
5. Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, an important mood-boosting nutrient. Research shows that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve symptoms of depression. One study from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry even found that omega-3 fatty acids are just as effective at improving mood as an antidepressant.
6. Leafy Greens
Greens such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and other lettuce contain folic acid, an important B vitamin that plays a role in mood regulation, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Research from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry shows that increasing your intake of folate can help reduce depressive symptoms.
When in doubt, you’re always best sticking to whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, but the above foods especially can help keep you calm and positive overall.
-
28 May 2015
“I’m Going to be The Best Dad”
Get ready to watch the most adorable video of 2015!
This wife loves to give her husband little pep talks and make him repeat all the beautiful things she says about him!
As if that wasn’t heart-warming enough, this certain pep talk has a surprise and hilarious ending!
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17 Comments
Esther
This story is one over time on this site that moved me to tears. It tells of the awesome love we has parents receive from our kids and by extension as from God as children of God. Love does not have to be express by physical gift or item! The love that comes from the heart are most often not seen but felt.
Thank you for making my day!
Esther
10 Aug 2010 06:08 am
Malou Santos
This is one immeasurable love of an innocent child to a parent that no amount of material things could ever match. A love so strong can be shown in the most simple way and yet affect the receiver in the most complex way. Love indeed knows no bounds.
10 Aug 2010 07:08 am
Chedklina
This beautiful story of “The Empty Gift Box” is an eye opener for all parents—
that material thing is nothing without love. There is nothing so profound and true than the love of an innocent child. Let us all fill our hearts and homes
with love for one another day in and day out .
10 Aug 2010 07:08 am
Philipo
The daddy was blind initially and could not see the love filled golden box initially,yet the little innocent child full of love to the daddy with tears revealed to the father the love kisses in the box for him.Parent need humility,patience and concern in dealing with their own children and that of others.Parent,please allow Christ into your heart to inspire you love,care,be patient and kind to your children and everybody as you desire to do.
10 Aug 2010 11:08 am
purnimamichael
it was very touching & inspiring .
10 Aug 2010 11:08 am
doreen
The love of an inocent child, confound the wise dad.
Her love was pure and full of kindness.
It is a terrible thing when we cannot communicate properly with our children, this love when gone, it cannot be replaced by anything, even when the child grows up.
Parents, love your children as Christ loves us.
This story is wonderful.
10 Aug 2010 12:08 pm
krish adlakha
If only we could take lesson from this story of unconditional love of our children,the life would be so beautiful and full of bliss
10 Aug 2010 03:08 pm
Rose
I am a nanny and have my own children. This story made me cry. a child’s love is the most pure and innocent love I have seen among humans. They love you for who you are. They don’t even ask for something in return. They think of the most wonderful way to show their love to you. Half of my life has been invested with children and still am. This is God’s calling for me. I am grateful.
11 Aug 2010 02:08 am
Rina Portillo
Dear Greg,
God will bless you and will give you more talent to inspire us more and more.
Thank you for the lovely stories.
11 Aug 2010 03:08 am
va’a/ Tufuga.
That story makes me cry and tears in my heart.Kids its a kift from God you will never let it down. Thank you for the biutifull story.
11 Aug 2010 04:08 am
Shirley Daniel
Thank you very much Greg for this heart warming story, and by this we all learn how immense a innocent childs love could be.
11 Aug 2010 01:08 pm
Rick
Maybe some people get caught-up in the role of being “the parent”;Always thinking they must teach a lesson.But why would God send you His most precious gift?-a child from His own hand.Could it be God’s intent that we continue to grow in Him, through the Love of Children? May God bless us all.
11 Aug 2010 04:08 pm
Cookie B
Just what I needed to read tonight as I spent most of my day testing (5 hours) and left knowing that I did not do very well and will have to retake each of the three tests again. I am feeling ‘stupid’ totally inadequate and incompentent and then I read this beautiful message … I needed one of those unconditional kisses from my Heavenly Father … and the reminder of His constant love. Also, that even though I’m pretty sure I did poorly today, He was there with me helping with what I got right. He loves me anyway all the time. Thanks for the reminder.
13 Aug 2010 04:08 am
James
I have learned a truth from this story.Even a 3 year girl could sense the love of the father in its fullness.Of course my daughters who are really in need of fathers love.This story opend my eyes more.God spoke to us sometimes to the stories.I appreciate your efforts to spread the quality of life in this way.May the lord bless you.
13 Aug 2010 04:08 pm
Bob Marshall
Once in a while we lose sight of what true love is since it comes in many forms.
17 Aug 2010 03:08 am
Ruth Marie Dienges
There can be many things concerning love that catch the eye, but only a few that catch the heart, and this is one time that it ‘caught my heart’…Just beautiful!
Thank you for sending……..
18 Aug 2010 05:08 pm
Bett Gold
You see , we can also learn from our little ones the real lessons in life…long lasting happiness does not always depend on material things…sometimes those invisible and imaginary thing truly matters, just like the air – we can’t barely see it, without its existence we cannot survive and many others.
So next time you receive a gift…do not look for the value, it’s the thought that counts. God bless you!
19 Aug 2010 12:08 pm