Connections

Acts 4:32 - 35

 32And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Can you guess what is the greatest risk factor for your health?  You might think diet, exercise, family genetics, but believe it or not it is loneliness.  I know, I didn't buy it at first either.  But I watched a video on YouTube by Dr. Lissa Rankin and now I am convinced that it is true. 

A study was done on a community in Pennsylvania named Rosetto in 1961.  It was small town made up of mostly Italian immigrants.  Most of them were related and lived in multi-generational homes.  This town had no history heart attacks, suicides, alcoholism, strokes, and no history of ulcers.  Now you could argue that they ate a healthy Mediterranean diet.  Not so, their diet was 41%fat and they were obese, Now here is the key...they were never lonely.  They always had someone nearby to help with any problem, to share the good news and the bad news, and to hold and touch when they felt alone.  

Lets move forward 10 years.  The kids are growing up, moving away and leaving their familiar surroundings.  The first heart attack was recorded and by the end of the decade their health conditions were considered normal according to the statistics of the United States Health Department.

According to studies today 6% of us will die from air pollution (cigarettes, COPD, asthma), 23% will die from obesity and conditions that come with being overweight, 37% will have alcohol related deaths and 45% will die from loneliness.  1 in 5 Americans suffers from loneliness. 

So what is the cure? Alot of times we expect someone else to fix us, but in this case we need to fix ourselves.  We need to like ourselves, we also need to not be so hard on ourselves.  We will never be perfect and we all have stuff!  Things we are not proud of, things we have experienced, good and bad they are part of us. Each one of us have our own trauma.  

We can't isolate ourselves, we need to get out there and take risks, be brave, find love.  We all are part of this world and we all belong to each other.   

Have you ever heard of Blue Zones?  These are places all around the world where people live healthy and happily for over 100 years.  Most of these places are inhabited by people who love and take care of each other, like a Tribe.  They have relationships and rituals which bring them together. 

Imagine you are part of a Native American Tribe or a Scottish Clan.  Every day you eat together, work together, play together and worship together. You are there for each other.
I challenge you to find your Tribe.  Who will be there for you?  Who can you support, uphold, and be there for?  It can be your family, friends, or coworkers.  You can have more than 1 Tribe.  Just be sure that when you are part of a Tribe you are all in.

 A person with cancer is 4 times more likely to die when they face this journey alone.

If you don't have a Clan or a Tribe come see me at the YMCA of Laurel Highlands.  We have lots of friendly people and fun activities to join in with.  Make some connections and live loved.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.