Skip to main content

Your Connections Count


Monday sucked. I'd say that entire day just seemed to conspire against me for one reason or another and a ton of things I had planned on getting done didn't happen. Needless to say I was more than a little cranky by day’s end.

If there is one thing I hate is the feeling you get when you think you aren’t making any progress. That feeling compounds when you feel overwhelmed. I wasn’t happy and with a full plate for the week, I wasn’t in the mood for it. Good thing for me that I have a great family and the loving, supportive network of close friends, and readers and fans like you.

They say you gravitate toward those that share your views, interests and temperament. This is another reason I count myself blessed. Being a generally happy person, I have friends that freely share that trait.

And, while negativity usually breeds negativity, I take solace that the same can be true about inspiration and happiness. If you’re happy, there’s a good chance that your positive feelings will add to the happiness of other people — and vice versa. One person’s good mood can spread like the concentric circles that form when a rock hits the surface of still water.

For example, if I head home in a happy mood, I’m not just making my daughter and spouse happy. I’m potentially making their friends and connections happy, too. I’m not just making my life happy; I’m making life a happier experience for others.

So, when times get tough, I make it a point to reach out to my friends for help. It’s interesting to think that we are all connected to one another in a way that can get us through tough times, and pull us out of a cranky, blue funk.

But, what is happiness, anyway? It’s different for everyone, but for me - the qualities generally associated with happiness include a personal feeling of forward momentum and having a positive outlook about the future, enjoying life in the present moment, and the feeling that you’re valued by other people (particularly the people you value).

The bottom line message here: If you want a happier life, you’ve got to reach out and connect with positive people. I’m proud to say I have many of them.  To think that we’re connected to one another has caused me to take more responsibility for my own actions and to know when the emotional support of a friend is needed. That said; Ric, Robert, Debbie, Janet, and of course my loving family; Alex & Alexis – thank you for sharing your positive energies with me and helping make this week (if not my life) a better, happier one to live.

As always – Enjoy Your Life!

John Aaron Villarreal


Bio: I am a Houston based, male massage therapist and wellness coach specializing in pain management and health programs for individuals over the age of forty. I laugh - a lot. I'm quirky but sincere. And, while I'm not a counselor, I do listen and I do care: Except for the times that I don't. That’s a joke - Did I mention that I like to laugh? Anyway, visit my website, call or email me and let's get together to talk about you, and the many ways to live life better!

 The Legal Stuff: I write to inform, inspire and encourage my readers to enjoy all that life has to offer.
The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.
Please consult your physician prior to starting any exercise, diet or wellness program. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Should I Get a Massage and How Often?

This is a question I get often… Let’s face it, if it were up to massage therapists we’d say that you should get a massage every day, but in reality – very few people ever have the means or time to make this scenario play out in their lives. So technically speaking, your frequency should depend on how much you like massage, how often you experience chronic pain, and your budget. If you’re able to afford it, getting a monthly or weekly massage works best at helping prevent injuries by catching tight areas before they become problematic. With my more athletic clients (runners, weightlifters, gymnasts), I usually recommend timing their massage to coincide with the times they are training their hardest. For example, runners can develop tight hamstrings and hips, gymnasts and weight-lifters can get tight shoulders. These tight muscle groups can elicit injuries over time if they aren't treated by massage. If you are physically active, I recommend getting a massage within 24 hours ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Coffee Has Health Benefits

Anyone who knows me knows I love my Joe…. err, “cup of joe” that is. In fact, I’m enjoying a cup as I write this post. However, as a wellness professional that little admission of guilt has gotten me a few sneers and looks of condescension. Caffeine is BAD for you, they say! Well, perhaps abusing caffeine may be “bad” for you, but ‘caffeine’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘coffee.’ Despite this fact, coffee has gotten a bad rep over the years after a few health experts linked it (or rather, linked caffeine abuse) to several diseases. But is coffee actually that bad? Probably not; new research shows that drinking coffee in moderation provides numerous health benefits. Antidepressant It might seem a little odd to find that coffee could help with depression, but new research has shown that it does just that. Now, don’t go throwing out your prescriptions or quit counseling just yet though, coffee is not a cure for depression. Rather, the caffeine in coffee helps regulate your mood trans...
2 comments
Read more

What To Do When You’re Chronically Stressed

Of all the modern-day ailments that seem to affect us, none is more pervasive than stress. Everywhere you turn, there are factors lurking to redirect you from your peaceful pursuit of happiness and lock you in the clutches of “stress.” What exactly is stress—and what more insidious effects does it cause? The dictionary defines stress as “great pressure or force; strain.” In today’s world, we think of stress as the result of too much pressure laid upon us by life, causing mental worry or anguish. This, in turn, manifests itself in tight neck and shoulders, headaches, nervous stomach, etc. But these physical and mental conditions are really only the beginning. Studies show that stressful situations can develop into more threatening health conditions. For instance: A sudden or unexpected stressor can activate your adrenal glands, which sends adrenaline and other hormones into your bloodstream. This brings about an increase in your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood f...
Post a Comment
Read more