On February 18th, the good folks at The European Heart Journal published their findings in an interesting study. They determined that people who are usually happy, enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart disease than those who tend not to be happy. They believe that they have been successful in showing an independent relationship between positive emotions and coronary heart disease.
So, in a nutshell, the better your outlook on life, the less chance you will develop heart disease. Well, that’s all well and good for all the ‘normals’ out there. But what about the 8 million women currently living with heart disease in the U.S.? To have them tell it, that’s a whole lot of ladies in a constant state of funk. Am I to believe that I have heart disease because I have a bad attitude?
I refuse to believe my condition was caused because I’m a grouch now and then. Truth be told, I’m quite happy; even with this stupid disease. I’ve always been rather optimistic about the future. So, before I let this study get the better of me and send me into anger management, I thought it best to accentuate the positive.
Can’t VS Can
Yes, having heart disease sucks. There, I said it. However, instead of beginning my next sentence with the words, “I can no longer…” I’m going to begin my next sentence with “Now I can…”
Now I can spend more time with my family.
Now I can better discern my physical and emotional needs.
Now I can better appreciate every single day of life that I’m given.
Now I get to ride in a motorized cart at Disneyland instead of using my legs like a sucker.
You get the idea.
The more we focus on the positive, the better our life will be. That’s true with all things, and according to this study, especially as it affects heart disease.
So, tell me. How would you complete this sentence? “Now I can…”
Rebecca Fortunato
http://rebeccasheart.wordpress.com/