ANOTHER YEAR

Another year is gone by, and another year is ahead of us. The latter one seems to raise our optimism, renovate our hopes, an opportunity to accomplish the things we have missed in the past year, and son on. The year that's gone can only serve as a reference. We should be thankful to God, Jesus, and all their hard-workers, including our guardian angels, for everything we benefitted from this past year. That includes their invisible help to make us get through so many difficult circumstances, which were part of our lessons (yo may call it trials or expiations as well). Needless to say that 2011 was not an easy year to the majority of people.

What's ahead of us, now? Well, God only knows, but we can certainly make some well-educated guesses on a few possible perspectives for 2012:

• Overall anxiety levels may continue high as no major improvements are foreseen for the global economy. The European markets situation seems to be headed to cause a large impact on most globalized markets. Unemployment is not projected to improve here in the USA, at least not as much as needed to provide relief (jobs) to the millions of people that are suffering, along with their families, for lack of an opportunity to make a living. 
• The lag between intelectual/techonological development level and the spiritual/moral development level will not close to a point where humans could feel better and safer. And this is just natural, as this is a slow process. Meanwhile, institutional crises may get further agravated (e.g. marriage), worldwide peace may not improve (e.g. Iran's nuke issue), etc.  
• The Mayan predictions for the end of the world by December 21st, 2012, may cause many unprepared people to "go nuts" about this possibility, particularly if new major natural disasters start to happen ahead of the December 21st.deadline. 
• For the Spiritists, the increased number of messages, lectures, and talking about the rapid approaching of the Planetary Transition time will just compound the issue of the Mayan Calendar. 
• No major or relevant changes in worldwide leadership is expected for next year, as far as I can tell, meaning no major improvements can be expected in macro policies that could ease the pain and hunger of so many around the world. 
• The Spiritist Doctrine will continue to be important to so many, as a consoler and educator, but it does not seem to have developed the power yet to trigger a pervasive new way of thinking and behaving that could significantly and positively impact moral levels. 

We could keep looking on other aspects of life and society, but that's not necessary at this point. What I think is important at this point is to look into this whole situation from a much higher level --- the spiritual level --- and try to make sense of it all. To start with, the desitny of humans and of the Earth is not out of control at all. The same force that keeps the whole universe in harmony is on top of our situation here on Earth. More than that, all the challenges and suffering are just the opportunity for each human to work on those areas affecting the development level of their spirits. It is also an invitation for humanity to get closer, more fraternal, develop a much stronger sense of solidarity, and, most importantly, strengthen faith in God.

It seems to me that 2012 will be a great mnoment for us to work on our evangelization, our faith, and our loyalty to God and Jesus. Let's keep in mind two basic and fundamental messages from them:

• Get to know the truth, and the truth will save you
• Without charity there is no salvation

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Gilberto
Dec 31, 2011


 

GREEN EXERCISE

Just 5 Minutes Of 'Green Exercise' Optimal For Good Mental Health

How much "green exercise" produces the greatest improvement in mood and sense of personal well-being? A new study in the American Chemical Society's semi-monthly journal Environmental Science & Technology has a surprising answer.

The answer is likely to please people in a society with much to do but little time to do it: Just five minutes of exercise in a park, working in a backyard garden, on a nature trail, or other green space will benefit mental health.

Jules Pretty and Jo Barton explain in the study that green exercise is physical activity in the presence of nature. Abundant scientific evidence shows that activity in natural areas decreases the risk of mental illness and improves the sense of well-being. Until now, however, nobody knew how much time people had to spend in green spaces to get those and other benefits.

"For the first time in the scientific literature, we have been able to show dose-response relationships for the positive effects of nature on human mental health," Pretty said.

From an analysis of 1,252 people (of different ages, genders and mental health status) drawn from ten existing studies in the United Kingdom, the authors were able to show that activity in the presence of nature led to mental and physical health improvements.

They analyzed activities such as walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming. The greatest health changes occurred in the young and the mentally-ill, although people of all ages and social groups benefited. All natural environments were beneficial including parks in urban settings. Green areas with water added something extra. A blue and green environment seems even better for health, Pretty noted.

From a health policy perspective, the largest positive effect on self-esteem came from a five-minute dose.

"We know from the literature that short-term mental health improvements are protective of long-term health benefits," Pretty said. "So we believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise," added Barton.

A challenge for policy makers is that policy recommendations on physical activity are easily stated but rarely adopted widely as public policy, Pretty noted, adding that the economic benefits could be substantial.

Policy frameworks that suggest active living point to the need for changes to physical, social and natural environments, and are more likely to be effective if physical activity becomes an inevitable part of life rather than a matter of daily choice.

Source:
American Chemical Society

Copyright: Medical News Today