Friendliness

1832 The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us
as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them:
“charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.”112
Catechism of the Catholic Church

Although the Catechism doesn’t directly address ‘friendliness’, it does tell us what the fruits of the Spirit are… and those pretty much encompass the meaning of friendliness. Charity (aka LOVE), and Joy lead the pack.

This attitude is not only good for our fellow man, and in our ministry of souls (you catch more flies with honey) but for our own health as well. I’m sure you have heard about the healing effects of laughter. For one thing it is alkalizing to the body, you remember back in Stepping into Total Wellness week 1, we discussed the importance of the mind and its purpose. I keep referring throughout these reflections, to the PH balance of our body and its important. Our blood is fairly constant with a window that averages out to 7.4 which is only slightly alkaline.

It’s so important for our blood to not deviate too much from this, that it will take minerals from every other cell in the body in order to keep us alive. But this sets us up for a myriad of health struggles. We need to help our body along. One thing that can alter the ph balance that you may not have considered are our thoughts and emotions. Have you ever thought of a delicious food you crave and then had your mouth start salivating? It’s this process that I’m referring to. Our thoughts and emotions have real effects on our body. Joy and laughter are alkalizing…while anger, anxiety and depression are extremely acidic…and can bring about many ailments…even be triggers for cancer itself.

Today’s Challenge

Go do something fun today, have a good laugh, enjoy your family and friends. Reach out with a kind word to those that have been marginalized. And…you don’t need to be an extravert…just do it in your own special way. Be real…be you…the best version of you…let God reach others through you.

Be who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire. St. Catherine of Siena