Giving IS Good Health
“A healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrierâ€. - Tom Stoppard
When we think of the word or term, health improvement, our mind generally leans toward describing words such as; exercise, nutrition, hydration and portion control. Sometimes we will broaden our view and also consider important elements such as stress and sleep, each which play an important role in health. However, how often do we point to giving or kindness as a way in which to improve health?
The past few days for the Journey for Health team have been long, hilly and hot. Averaging nearly 100 miles a day on the saddle, climbing thousands of feet a day in escalation and dealing with excessive shifts in weather conditions including blazing sun and sharp rain pellets, the team has been both stretched and stressed. Now in our fourth state in 14 days, the conditions have ground upon our nerves more than once. Today we had a near meltdown while trying to get off to an early dawn ride and beat the heat, only to experience 5 flat tires within a 100 yard distance. Needless to say that there was a great deal of frustration and tension in the group today.
That is when Brant Harrison, owner of the Kokopelli Farm (in Palisade Colorado - https://www.kokopelliproduce.com) showed up with fresh, organic peaches for the team to feast upon. My friends, these were no ordinary peaches. The peaches we held in our hands were baseball sized, fuzzy, fresh and DELICIOUS. They were a sight to be seen and more important they tasted incredible. Peaches themselves are a GREAT fruit for snacks and or dessert as they are high in vitamins and other essential nutrients. The sweet juices ran down our hot, but now smiling faces as we dove into the treasure. Not only had Brant given us dozens of fresh peaches, his son also gave us the gift of fresh peach pie (right out of the oven). That is when it hit us. Not only had Brant and his family provided us with a healthy, tasty treat, but they also lifted our spirits and encouraged us forward with smiles, fuel, energy and positive attitudes; all which are strong indicators of health. You see, it was in the giving that we experienced health improvement.
How often do we think about health and its positive impact on both ourselves and others when we simply give to one another? When was the last time you preformed a random act of kindness based around a healthy food or activity for a friend, family member, work colleague, or like the Harrison’s, a stranger? Be it an ask of a neighbor to join you in a walk after work, or perhaps a delivery of some fresh and healthy foods to your co-workers, take advantage of giving someone something of great value – health. As for this team who is exhausted after another 19 hour day of riding and related health messaging work, we are in much better spirits and are healthier in all ways, thanks to a man with a smile, his family, a warm and firm handshake and hug and a farm filled with giant peaches and love.