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The Gift of Forgiveness.
We’ve spoken about it before, the magic that is forgiveness. It seems at first as if the act of forgiving is something you do for someone else.
Right?
We think when we’ve forgiven someone else that we’ve given them a gift, that we’ve made their lives better by releasing any animosity we have held for them. Indeed we have. But we also free our soul and take the last impediment to moving on and put it by the wayside. We give ourselves the gift of freedom from that animosity and clear our emotional path.
So, KindHearts, let’s do something special together. Let’s all forgive at least one person today. Pick up the phone, send an email, write a letter. Tell them that you’re letting it go and that you’ve moved on.
Think about the enormous benefit to the world we share if 140,000 KindHearts forgive 140,000 (or more) people today.
And do me a favor, use the LEAVE A REPLY button on the bottom of this page to tell us who you forgave and what for. Don’t use real names. I just want the tens of thousands of people who come to this site to see what we’re all about. Maybe they’ll be as kind as you someday.
And if you’re still on the fence about the Gift of Forgiveness watch this little video to get you in the forgiving mood.
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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.
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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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18 Comments
emerald
I forgive one person who had really hurt me in college. He was cheating on me (though he denied it)and left me in so much emotional pain that caused us our baby. Now, I am freeing myself from the bondage of that hatred.
16 Feb 2011 03:02 am
SUE
HELLO, THAT WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL BUT IT GOES TOO FAST .IT DOESNT EVEN LEAVE YOU ENOUGH TIME TO APPRECIATE THE PICTURE , READ IT AND ON SOME THERE IS READING BELOW THAT .I COULDNT SEE IT ALL. I WISH IT COULD BE SLOWED DOWN SOME.I THINK MORE PEOPLE WILL GET MORE OUT OF IT IF IT WASNT SO HURRIED .. JUST MY OPINION.
16 Feb 2011 04:02 am
Muhwezi John
This is grate. It has helped me shed off some stress.
16 Feb 2011 06:02 am
BlueWanda
I forgive my daughter for stealing my debit card and all my wages for the month!
No money or food or catfood! It has left me with my bills unpaid and the bank taxing me for going overdrawn, so no money next month either. It will take some time to sort it all out!
16 Feb 2011 09:02 am
Antoinette
I agree completely with Sue…..it’s a very inspirational video but it goes very fast. Something like this needs to be read slowly and pause to think deeply and reflect. Otherwise it’s great.
16 Feb 2011 10:02 am
Debbie
I forgive the love of my life for the deep hurt his choices cause me.
16 Feb 2011 12:02 pm
wofta
This is beautifully done and has helped me to snip the final thread of unforgiveness toward a boss who pays me minimum wage but requires me to run errands in my car with no compensation for the high cost of gas. God has resolved it but until I read this, I have been oppressed with obsessive thoughts concerning the issue. Even though it does go too fast to really appreciate and meditate on I’m going to view it again with the mouse arrow on the pause button.
16 Feb 2011 12:02 pm
L Johnson
I agree it goes too fast but it is an awesome video. Something that has made me really think. Thank you for posting this. I truly believe this was sent to me for a reason.
16 Feb 2011 03:02 pm
admin
I just hit pause on the video so that I could read each page that I wanted to read.
16 Feb 2011 04:02 pm
Linda
Thank you for reminding me that it is okay to let go as long as we do so with love and kindness toward our fellow man..whether a friend, a love, or an enemy!
16 Feb 2011 05:02 pm
Rajinder
We fight with each other so that we can live in peace.
Surprisingly if we forgave each other even then we would live in peace.
“Almighty grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change and the courage to change the things we can”.If this attitude is followed all would live in peace.
17 Feb 2011 10:02 am
S.S.Daniel
Truly a great video regarding forgiveness and may this video bring all those who harbour vengeance to forgive and forget and live a peaceable life.
May the Lord Jesus grant us the power to forgive.
17 Feb 2011 01:02 pm
Turquoise
Awesome Video in every aspect. Needs to be slowed down so we can savor every picture and word. Also, love the music.
17 Feb 2011 04:02 pm
brendan
my best friend frank he really disrespected me by and showed no remorse at all. but i contated him just now after 4 months as a first step
19 Feb 2011 06:02 pm
Jimmy
I love the music. I do not deny that forgiveness is important to move on. But sometimes I struggle with forgiveness and forgetting. It is not easy to forget things that someone has done against you or that you have done against others. How do we know that our forgiveness is thorough when forgetting is difficult?
22 Feb 2011 09:02 pm
pearl
should I always forgive my spouse of not keeping his promise to stay away from his other woman? Really it’s very hard to forgive and forget. But I intend to do it. Help me pray to God to give me the courage to do it. I really need a lot of inspiration. can you help me?
27 Feb 2011 03:02 am
eve
the words would be wonderful if the video slowed down enough that you could read them all… the music and pictures are like entering heaven..
Forgiveness is an eternal blessing to us from Jesus Christ
i forgive my mum for not giving me the freedom to go to college to learn hairdressing when i was young…. now with MS i can’t or i would now.
04 Mar 2011 01:03 pm
Shirley
I want to forgive, but the hurt is still very deep and still stings after one year. I was told to just forget it and move on. I still want an apology. Am I wrong wanting someone to ease my pain?
02 Apr 2011 02:04 pm