From The Storyteller
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Nov. 19, 2018, NPR
8:30 Monday morning, I’m on my way to the coffee shop, and the friendly woman’s voice on the car radio is telling me that having a pet dog is good for my health. Taking them for walks is a big part of this, as is petting them, which will lower my stress level. I silently thank the nice lady from some university and also the doctor who sponsors the program. I am familiar with this helpful lady on NPR because I go for coffee about the same time every morning. The thing that surprises me is the number of different subjects she offers to make me healthier. Better eating habits, better sleep patterns, and better exercise programs all presented for my well being. With 7+ decades of warnings and advice, it is a wonder I am still alive. I have lived through drink milk don’t drink milk, eat eggs don’t eat eggs, eat fish don’t eat fish, salt vs salt substitute, butter vs margarine, organic vs GMO, and the ever popular diet drinks to reduce sugar. The holistic community loves vitamins and supplements, and the pharmaceutical companies warn of throwing money away on them. With so many experts and so many studies, there was a time in my life when I stopped paying attention to what my body was telling me. By trying to do the “flavor of the month” healthy thing, I had no consistent direction, and all I did was gain weight and score a heart attack. That was 7 years ago. I’ve learned when I pay attention to what my body is telling me, I’m listening to the right voice. Sharing what I’m hearing with a doctors is good, but listening comes first. Moral: Just because somebody says it’s so, don’t make it so. It’s your body, listen to it. |