Helping hands help you too

What great things would you like to receive this year?  It is said  that what you give out you receive so when looking at this new year think about using every day as an opportunity to engage your mind – body – soul to give what you desire.  As an example compassion is a favorite practice of his holiness the Dalai Lama. It means expressing the intention of moving from judgment to caring, from isolation to connection, from indiference or dislike to understanding.  If you choose one great thing to receive why not start with compassion for yourself. Then you can expand this practice and extend it beyond yourself.
Scientific studies suggest there are not only emotional and spiritual benefits to compassion but also physical.  It can lead to increase in DHEA hormone which fights and counteracts the aging process while reducing cortisol – the ‘stress’ hormone.

Other studies have shown that when extending compassion and participating in activities like volunteering your state of happiness extends to your over health because this buffers the stress.  Just 8 hours a month, or 2 hours a week can get you get into what they call a helper’s high which reduces stress by helping someone else.

Amazing what a little helping hand can do for you and others!