Peace on Earth-Our health: Is there a connection?

 The end of the year is fast approaching and here is the anticipated Christmas season.

With the Christmas season come the yearly wishes of peace to earth and goodwill to all men. A deeper sense of caring and compassion always emerge during that time. We are reminded again of the deeper awareness that we are all connected and therefore helping and serving another is helping and serving ourselves. It feels so good to give and reach out: it enriches our hearts and strengthens our sense of well-being.
At times, we tend to think that we are an island unto our self , that it is "I" and "the world I live in". Can a fish think on that level: "I" and "the pond"? For a fish, it is impossible to separate the self from the environment  it constantly swims in.
Just as a fish swims in water, we "swim" in the atmosphere that surrounds us: every thing that occurs in that environment, local or global, affects us in some way. Some people are more sensitive than others though so the degree to which people are affected varies.

Coming back to my initial question: "Peace on earth-Our health: Is there connection?" The answer is "Yes"!
As far as health goes, many are careful to drink pure, filtered water, eat organic fruit and vegetables, non-GMO foods,..etc. We are also more aware of the pollution in the air and in the soil and water.
Besides all those important aspects, there is one more: the emotional atmosphere that surrounds us.

To explain this further, here is an excerpt of a book written by Corinne McLaughin and Gordon Davidson,  Spiritual Politics.
"The health care debate on a deeper level is really about what creates a healthy life. And it leads us to ask if we can truly be healthy and free of disease if we are living lives of greed, anger, fear and selfishness. It also raises the issue of whether we can be healthy individuals in a morally degenerating , crime-ridden society. Can we recognize that individual health is connected to the health of all?"

 These are very important questions that have not been asked enough in our world that is so addicted to stress and drama, a world where violence is glorified in movies and video games. We need to come to our senses and realize that all this is having a polluting effect on all of us.
The fish swimming in the dirty pond has no choice. That is where he is, there is where he stays. We, on the other hand, have a choice. That is one of the basic differences between animals and humans. Let us exercise that power of choice and strive to make improvements.

Can you imagine a world where everyone is healthy and well? Undoubtedly, such a world would be a world of peace an harmony, clean of any signs of dysfunction and struggle, a war-free zone.
We are not there yet, but we can work towards it.
Where do we start? We can start with releasing all the emotions within us that cause strife and struggle and dis-ease. We can start to help others to make different choices to help them lead healthier lives.
The Christmas season that is here is helping us get into that spirit. Hopefully that spirit will stay with all of us for the rest of the year. Ideally, for the rest of our life.
Doris Crompton