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Some things in life are best done backward.

A few things that come to mind are:

There are also actions performed by probably millions of people every day that are backward as well.

However, unlike the above examples where being backward makes sense, the behaviors in question unfortunately do not serve the greater good for so many. 

What practices am I referring to?  

I’ll illustrate by telling you that I know a few people who eat foods such as bacon, burgers, and steaks, and then take their medications for high cholesterol.

Eating foods that raise cholesterol and then taking medication to lower it is counterintuitive and, in a sense, backward. It would seem more rational to avoid foods that will increase your cholesterol rather than taking medications to lower it.

If you do take cholesterol medication at your doctor’s recommendation, you must know that high cholesterol can be dangerous. It would follow that you would also avoid foods that can lead to this unhealthy state. 

However, I can understand why people knowingly eat the foods they realize are causing them harm and then take pills in an attempt to minimize that harm. Simply put, they enjoy the foods and feel great when eating them. That is totally understandable. If I enjoyed certain foods, I would absolutely want to keep eating them.

If you enjoy something, you will want to keep doing it, whether it’s jogging or smoking. 

Please understand that you can still eat delicious AND healthy foods that you would enjoy immensely. Whole, plant-based foods are prime examples. This is entirely your choice, if and whenever you are ready. It is up to you whether or not you want to change how you live and eat, how much disease risk you are willing to tolerate, and whether or not you wish to take prescription medications for the rest of your life. Your lifestyle is not carved in stone—it can be changed if you genuinely desire and see good reason for it. That last part is key—if you do see good reason to change your lifestyle, then you will develop the motivation to do so.

When it comes to your health, you absolutely have choices. One of my leading wishes is that you are aware that these choices exist and that you can change your life whenever you are ready. So, if and when that time arrives for you to move forward with your health, I wish you great success!

If you’re interested in bringing this type of message to a wider audience, I speak regularly on topics related to health and wellness. You can learn more about my talks at https://stevepiriano.life/speaking/

I also explore similar topics more deeply in my books, which you can find at https://stevepiriano.life/books/ if you’d like to dive in.

This is the number of acres burned in US wildfires from 2021-2023¹

Wildfires have been causing enormous amounts of environmental destruction and habitat loss. For many of us, the fires or their far-reaching clouds of smoke have hit close to home, threatening our properties and our health. 

Moreover, climate change has been a significant factor in precipitating wildfires.

However, there is some good news—a glimmer of hope. 

Given the impact of climate change leading to increasing fires, there is something that you can do to help. Actually, there are many things that you can do to help. But wait—who has time to help? 

How about starting with something simple and even selfish?

How about doing something that will benefit you as much as the planet?

As you may know, the foods you eat very often determine your health. Did you also know your food will affect the Earth’s health? Eating wholesome, unprocessed foods will have positive impacts not only on your health but also on the health of the environment.

Choose health, choose you:

1. https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/statistics/wildfires

We are often assaulted by negative news stories. Although factual, stories of murders, terrorism, political scandals, and natural disasters saturate the airwaves. While there are anecdotes detailing gestures of kindness, the stories recounting acts of malice seem much more ubiquitous than those describing deeds of goodwill.

            Despite the overwhelming amount of pessimistic narratives that enter our lives through newspapers, radio, television, and our phones, I sincerely believe that there are more acts of benevolence than there are of hostility. Kind acts occur every day around the globe, and when I learn about things that people do to add something positive to the lives of others, it motivates me even more to do the same. I witnessed such a gesture several years ago. Although the following event did not occur on Thanksgiving, it exemplifies the spirit of the season.

            While in the middle of a busy shift in the Emergency Department last year, I witnessed such an act. We were busy to the point that we ran out of rooms, leaving many patients on stretchers in the hall. I had cared for a middle-aged woman and, after some testing, deemed that she was safe to be discharged home. I cannot recall all the details, but she lived about an hour away from the hospital and she had no way of getting home. The clerk in the department had offered to call a cab, and it turned out that the fare would be $100. My patient said that she could not afford to pay such a hefty fare, and she stated that she had no other way of getting home.

            After a short conversation at the desk with the clerk, the woman appeared despondent. Only a few minutes had passed when the man approached. He was an older gentleman, probably in his early seventies. He was a family member of another patient who had overheard the difficulties that my patient was experiencing. He took $100 out of his wallet, handed it to my patient, and told her that he wanted her to have it.

            My patient responded by saying something like, “I can’t accept this money from you,” and then, “Why are you being so nice to me?”

            I still remember the gentleman’s response. He said, “You’ve got it backward. You’re actually doing something nice for me by allowing me to help you.”

Giving away $100 seemingly without thought to a total stranger appeared to be effortless for this man. Showing love and compassion is quite easy most of the time. Admittedly, it can sometimes be a challenge. However, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Moreover, grand gestures are not always necessary. A smile or a few warmhearted words can raise another person’s spirit and brighten their day.  Kindness can be infectious and will be paid forward many times over.

So, for Thanksgiving, the holiday season, and throughout the year, give thanks for the blessings in your life and consider the impact of being open and giving whenever the opportunity arises.

If you have stories of kindness that you’d like to share, please feel free to do so in the comments.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please feel free to share it with anyone who may be interested.

Thirty-six trillion. That’s the number of cells in your body—give or take a trillion. Thirty-six trillion individuals, all with specific jobs and functions, all working together and collaborating in the service of the whole. The whole, of course, being you. 

If these thirty-six trillion individuals are able to cooperate and work together effectively, you get to enjoy good health. However, if some cells decide to go off on their own and take, take, and take, you have a cancer, which, if left untreated, will likely destroy your health and end your life.

A few weeks ago, I had an epiphany. I realized that our body and its thirty-six trillion cells are a microcosm of our planet and its people. If people cooperate and work in service of each other and the whole, then neighborhoods, communities, cities, states, countries, and the entire planet will enjoy peace and good health.

But if this doesn’t occur…well, you already know what happens when this is the case.

So, if thirty-six trillion individuals can collaborate with each other, then perhaps eight billion individuals can do it as well.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Please feel free to comment and share.

Let’s shatter a myth.

Over the years, I have heard many people express a belief that is not only false but also dangerous.

I’ve heard it conveyed in many forms:

“I know I’m going to get a heart attack someday. Everyone in my family has heart disease.”

“I am so afraid of getting cancer. So many of my relatives have cancer.”

“There’s nothing I can do about my diabetes. It runs in my genes.”

These are disempowering beliefs. However—they are NOT TRUE. That’s right. These beliefs are incorrect.

To further explain, how about a quick lesson on genetics?

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA (much easier to say, right?), is the molecule that contains our genes. Our genes, in turn, encode for proteins that determine our physical characteristics, such as our height, eye color, hair color, skin color, etc. Moreover, our genes can predispose us to develop many diseases. That part is true.

However, many times these disease-causing genes need to be activated in order to actually create a disease. There are “gene switches” that work to turn genes “on” and “off.” The question then becomes, “What determines whether a gene will become active?” The answer is the internal environment of the body. The next logical question is: “What determines the internal environment of a person’s body?” The answer to this question is the key to maintaining good health—lifestyle. 

Yes, lifestyle, which is defined by the foods we eat, the amount of physical activity we give ourselves, how well we sleep, how we manage stress, the strength of our relationships, and whether or not we use risky substances such as tobacco. These factors will define a person’s internal environment and, thus, what types of genes will be activated. In fact, it is thought that genes themselves account for only 10% of a person’s overall degree of health, whereas “gene switches” account for 70-90% of a person’s overall degree of health. 

To illustrate using an example:

Let’s say that you have a strong family history of heart disease. Your parents, one of your siblings, and several aunts and uncles have all suffered heart attacks. It is very likely that you also have the genes that will lead to the development of heart disease. However, given this genetic predisposition to heart disease, there are two possible health scenarios.

Scenario #1:

You eat a lot of fatty and processed foods and not many fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. You are relatively sedentary, have a stressful job, and don’t get adequate sleep. The chances are good that the heart disease genes will be turned on, and you will develop heart disease.

Scenario #2:

Your diet consists primarily of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. You are a physically active person and exercise regularly. You handle your job stress well, sleep well every night, and have a happy family life. In addition, you don’t engage in risky behaviors such as tobacco use. The chances are pretty good that the heart disease genes in your cells will not be activated and that you will not develop heart disease. 

This is empowering information! Always remember that it is you that has control of your own health.  

Olichel/pixabay.com

Let’s say that a billionaire came up to you and offered you a choice: $500,000 given to you today or the sum of a penny doubled every day for 31 days. Which would you choose? Half a million dollars today is undoubtedly tempting. However, if you do the math, you will realize that the meager penny doubled every day for one month is by far the better deal. 

Many of you may have heard of the magic penny. This is what happens to a penny if you double its value every day. At first glance, it doesn’t sound like it would amount to much. So let’s take a closer look. The first ten days would look like this: $0.01, $0.02, $0.04, $0.08, $0.16, $0.32, $0.64, $1.28, $2.56, $5.12. On day 10, all you would have is $5.12. On day 20, you would have $5,242. On day 25—$167,772. A nice chunk of change—but not filthy rich. And certainly nowhere close to that $500,000 that you could have had right up front. But then, on day 30—$5.37 million. And finally, on day 31—$10.74 million. Now you are a millionaire!

For me, the story of the magic penny holds two lessons. First, consistency is essential. To see results for any objective you have set for yourself, you must take action on a consistent basis. Consistency is critical when it comes to accomplishing goals. The second piece of wisdom I have gathered from this magical piece of copper and zinc is that, even with consistent action, it may take time to start seeing substantial results in the quest to reach your goal. As exemplified by the penny, there were barely significant results on day ten and only modest results on day 20. However, the final two days were when the real magic occurred. 

If you have set a worthwhile goal, be consistent in your efforts towards attaining it. Appreciate that you may only notice regular, yet small, steps of progress on your journey. By all means, enjoy the journey. Stay consistent, and know that the real magic may take some time to occur. 

Leeloo Thefirst/pexels.com

I have a question for you. But first, a brief introduction.

Imagine that you have a brand-new, shiny, high-performance sports car, and let’s say you have two choices as fuel to fill its gas tank. 

Option #1: High-octane, premium gasoline

Option #2: A bucket filled with soapy water

Which option would you choose?

I know; the answer is obvious (I hope): the premium gasoline, of course. Your car will run really well with that as fuel.

How well will your car run with soapy water in its gas tank? Not well at all. Actually, not at all. Moreover, you’re likely going to cause some engine damage.

I’d like you to take this example with the fuel comparisons and use it as an analogy for your body. Yes, your body is with you 24/7 and, like your car, gets you everywhere you need to be.

Here is the question:

What type of fuel (food) do you need to feed your body every day so that it will run in its most optimum state?

I would love to hear your answers to this question.

Which types of food should you eat each day to help keep your body fit and healthy?

Please send me a message via email or the contact page of this website.

Let me know your thoughts and, if you like, why you feel the way you do.

Let’s stir up some conversations. 

Lukas Hartmann/pexels.com

I love the story of Roger Bannister. He was a runner that ended up becoming famous. You see, for the centuries that track and field records had been kept, nobody had ever run a mile in four minutes. It was deemed impossible for a human to run so fast for such a distance. It was an obstacle that no person could overcome. That was, until May 6th, 1954. Roger Bannister had resolved to be the first person to run a mile in four minutes, and on that day, he ran a mile in three minutes and fifty-nine seconds, breaking through barriers that had stood for centuries. 

However, the truly incredible part of this story is that his record lasted for only forty-six days. Moreover, within the following ten years, 336 other runners had also broken the four-minute mile record. 

How could it be that no human could run a four-minute mile for centuries, and then suddenly, over 300 people can do it within ten years? The answer lies in the fact that the barrier was not a physical one—it was a mental one. It existed only in the minds of runners, and it crumbled as soon as Mr. Bannister proved that it could be done.

Often, our own barriers do not exist outside of us but within us.

 “What goes around comes around.” 

I’ve heard that phrase my whole life. However, it wasn’t until later into adulthood that it took on greater meaning for me. 

Some days, I “wake up on the wrong side of the bed.” I don’t give my wife a smile or a good morning kiss. Sensing something amiss, she distances herself. I may be impatient with my boys. As my morning progresses, I can’t seem to find paperwork that I was planning to work on. I try to do some work online and discover that the computer has “frozen.” Other small things seem to go wrong during the course of the day.

Conversely, life seems much easier when I am in a good mood. My day is pleasant when I choose to have feelings of gratitude and cheerfulness towards those around me. I wake up with a smile and take a moment to make coffee for my wife. She smiles and hugs me. My boys laugh with me. Whatever tasks I have planned usually go well. And if they don’t, it’s okay because I’ve already chosen to be happy and thankful.

So, “what goes around” does indeed “come around.” Hostility begets hostility. Kindness begets kindness. What we send out into the world will come back to us.

If you’ve been reading my posts for any length of time, you know that one of my interests is wellness and the importance of healthy lifestyles. I wanted to share that I am also vastly interested in sustainability and our environment. I developed this fascination several years ago, and it has continually grown. 

We are blessed to have a beautiful planet to call home. It provides us with the resources necessary for survival and inspires us with nature’s miracles. There are times when I leave my home for work in the mornings and stop my car to admire the orange-tinted sky as the sun makes its way above the horizon. Forests, mountains, rivers, and oceans are teeming with an abundance of life, with each of the thousands or millions of individual organisms going about their daily activities without disturbing the overall balance of their ecosystems. Left to its own intelligence, nature will maintain equilibrium across the globe. 

Unfortunately, that picture changes when human beings enter the equation. With our superior intellect and reasoning capabilities, we have built civilizations and developed technologies that have allowed us to become the dominant species on Earth. However, in the process, we have disturbed the balance of nature. Please don’t misunderstand me—I am a fan of progress. Over the past decades, advancements have allowed innumerable people to live better lives. More people now have clean water, electricity, mobile phones, and internet access. As a matter of fact, according to Hans Rosling in his book “Factfulness,” over the past 20 years, the proportion of the world population living in extreme poverty has almost halved. These are remarkable achievements, and I am elated that we have come so far. 

My hope is that modern societies will learn from nature. We have figured out ways to care for our growing population, which is wonderful. However, we must maintain balance. We are not the only species living on this beautiful blue and green sphere—we share it with trillions of other beings. We have already begun moving in the right direction, as countless dedicated people are working on solutions to the many environmental imbalances that we have created. In the meantime, I know there are so many seemingly small things that I can do to help out. A few things that come to mind are planting a garden, picking up litter, turning off the lights when I leave a room, and not leaving the water running continuously while washing dishes. I have faith, and I look forward to a better and healthier planet in the future.