A team led by Professor Ernest Abel of Wayne State University in Michigan studied 230 photographs of United States major league baseball players who started playing before 1950 and grouped them by their smiles, as follows:

No Smile
Players who looked deadpan at thee camera

Partial Smile
Only the muscles round the mouth were involved in their grin

Full Smile
Both mouth and eyes were smiling and cheeks were raised

The players’ photographs were taken from the 1952 Baseball Register, a listing of professional baseball players that is packed with statistics such as year of birth, body mass index, marital status and career length, which reflects physical fitness.

As of June 1 2009, of the players who had passed away, those in the “No Smile” category lived for an average of 72.9 years. Those in the “Partial Smile” category died at age 75, while the “Full Smile” players lived up to 79.9 years. The study concluded that:

“To the extent that smile intensity reflects an underlying emotional disposition, the results of this study are congruent with those of other studies demonstrating that emotions have an positive relationship with mental health, physical health and longevity”.

All you sour pusses who go through life with a dark cloud perpetually hanging over you, BE WARNED! Lighten up, give thanks for the blessings in your life, live to be a blessing to others. Laugh and love much. Stop being a grouch. Brush off the chip on your shoulder. Get away from people, places and other elements which have a negative effect on you. Feed your mind, body and spirit with good things which will nourish you, not poison you. Live well, and leave behind happy memories. Decide today to really LIVE!

When I was younger, I never gave much thought to how I lived my days. I had my whole life ahead of me, so I just let the years pass. When you think about it, every day of life is actually incredibly precious, so we should invest them wisely. If we fritter them away, they are wasted – gone forever. If we spend them on things that really matter, like family, health, a strong, spiritual foundation, and building good experiences and memories, we will be on solid ground when the storms come. And they will come.

A relative in Britain sent me a poem written by a terminally-ill young girl. When she wrote it, she knew she would never make it to the prom, graduate from high school, get married or have a family of her own. She wanted to remind everyone to live life to the fullest, because she never will. Here’s what she wrote:

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Ever told your child
“We’ll do it tomorrow”
And in your haste
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch
Let a good friendship die
‘Cause you never had time
To call and say “Hi”?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there
When you worry and hurry through your day
It’s like an unopened gift
Thrown away.
Life is not a race
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Last night, I watched a video starring Richard Gere about a middle-aged man who decided to take dance lessons because he wanted to bring some joy into his humdrum life. Dancing made him happy. Sharing his new-found passion with his wife also made their marriage richer. Joy has been proven to add quality and quantity to life. My family and some relatives were at the kite festival yesterday, enjoying the spectacle of the sky filled with beautiful kites, and flying our own kites. At one point, my cousin turned to me beaming as we flew our kites side by side, commenting that kite-flying was such a relaxing, happy experience. It’s the last day of the kite festival today. Guess where I’m off to next?

Getting the kite up into the sky wasn’t easy, but how we laughed at each other’s antics as we tried. When the kite finally soared up into the sky, it was a wonderful feeling. There’s just something so liberating about kite-flying. Sheer delight wells up within you as the kite climbs higher. For a while, you’re a child again, carefree and happy.

We enjoyed the cool breeze and fresh air while we were out kite-flying. It was so relaxing and therapeutic to feel the wind blowing through our hair and caressing our skin. We were even blessed to see a rainbow in the sky. To think we would have missed all that had we stayed indoors. We had a good time together. It was particularly rewarding to see our little nephew laugh, and his mom smile.

Kite-flying is good medicine for the spirit as well as the body. A regular dose of kite-flying should be what the doctor ordered. There’s a kite festival on next Sunday near my home. Like to come along with me?

A pastor from my church once advised me not to allow cancer to monopolise my every waking moment. If I did, it would consume me. I would become whatever I fed my mind and spirit with. He advised me to cast my cares – including the disease – on Jesus, and get on with my life. I should try to live and enjoy life as normally as possible.

Interestingly, the National Cancer Centre runs a beauty workshop for women who have or are recovering from cancer. The programme is aptly called “Look Good, Feel Better” and the logic behind it is simple: if you think you look good, you’ll feel better. It’s a form of cancer therapy. Beauty advisors volunteer their time and expertise to show participants how to look after their skin and how to apply and remove make-up. Participants are even taught how to pluck their eyebrows, match colors and how to use scarves and headgear in stylish ways to disguise any hair-loss from chemotherapy.

I saw the program in action for myself a couple of weeks ago. The youngest participant was 32 years old while the oldest was close to 80. The former had been told that she had terminal stage 4 cancer. To top it off, her husband was divorcing her. When she arrived at the workshop, she was quiet and withdrawn. She was obviously embarrassed by her appearance, as she had lost most of her hair, and was bloated and pigmented from the cancer treatment.

It was unanimous. Everyone decided that this dear lady would be our ‘model’. As the beauty advisor helped her apply her make-up, we complimented her on her beautiful skin. A slight smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Then, when another beauty advisor tied scarves in different ways on her head, or tried out a jaunty hat on her, we teased her about how pretty or how cute she looked. That brought a big smile to her face. Her demeanour changed and she positively glowed.

If only for a while, that young lady’s confidence went up several notches. Hopefully, she has not lost interest in her new-found beauty routine. It was so good to see her smile. Doctors don’t know everything. If she keeps her spirits up, she may very well defeat the monster in her body. I’m praying for her.

When my niece, Candice, visited me from out of town recently, the sweetheart plucked my eyebrows for me. She had been wanting to do this for more than a year. I must admit that I have not been making much of an effort with my appearance. That’s got to change.

Oh yes, while looking good is a great idea, remember to protect yourself from carcinogens and other harmful ingredients. Many brands of skincare, cosmetics and other beauty products often contain these harmful ingredients. Pamper yourself with safe personal care products with no questionable ingredients, like those from Neways.

Kite flying artwork by Mui-Joo Wee

November 27. That was just a couple of days back. On that same day one year ago, a lovely young lady in her mid-twenties was ruthlessly shot in the head in her hotel in Mumbai, India, the victim of a terrorist attack. Hwei Yen was a new bride, married for just a few months. A young lawyer, she had been sent to Mumbai by her law firm to make a presentation.

As I gazed at her photos in the memorial messages published in the obituary section of the newspaper, and read the heart-rending message penned by her prematurely-widowed husband, sadness swept over me, Hwei Yen’s pretty, smiling face reminded me of my niece, who’s also a lawyer around the same age. So much life, so much potential – it can all be extinguished in just a few moments.

Facing death puts a lot of things in perspective. It forces you to re-evaluate your priorities in life. Since I was diagnosed with cancer, I cherish the people I love, and who love me in return, much, much more. I tell them frequently how much I appreciate them and love them. I try to speak words of life to them, rather than words which hurt and destroy. I value the time spent with the people who matter most to me in all the world. I hug often. I make sure the people who have shown me kindness know how thankful I am. I count my blessings.

All too often, we wait until it’s too late to tell someone how much we love them. We waste our time and energy filling our lives with unimportant things, while we neglect the ones who really count. Then, one day, they’re gone, and we’re left with regret.

There are people I love to bits, and I want them to know this while we have our days to enjoy together. As for those I’m not exactly wild about, and who aren’t crazy about me either, I hope we’ll have a better relationship. Life is really too short to waste on fighting.

There are things I always wanted to do, but never got around to doing. I always felt there was plenty of time. Then the years went by, and some windows of opportunity closed.

There’s no point looking back. We have today, filled with all its promise and hope. Let’s make the most of it. My dear hubby, Andrew, bought a kite more than a year ago, and he has yet to fly it. We’ve been bogged down by so many things. It’s been very windy and cool lately. I think we should go kite-flying this week.

I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE..

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Yesterday, her last day here in Singapore, we attended church together and laughed ourselves happy during the sermon. My senior pastor’s a really funny guy. He really knows how to bring the Bible alive. Everybody looks forward to Sundays at New Creation Church, known for its refreshing, joyful and uplifting services. The musicians and the singers get you on your feet clapping and dancing, the messages are powerful and encouraging, and the jokes crack you up. Sunday services give us the boost we need to face each new week.

No wonder Betty likes to visit my church every time she’s in town, and she’s always asking me to send her the recordings of the pastors’ (there are several) messages. Fortunately, New Creation Church broadcasts to the US, Australia and Africa and DVDs and CDS are also available online, so people across the world can also be encouraged and strengthened wherever they are.

Laughter is medicine for the spirit, so my church takes joy very seriously. We even have a “ministry of laughs”. As Pastor Joseph Prince said yesterday:

“A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones”
(Proverbs 17:22)

He also shared this verse:
“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones healthy”
(Proverbs 15:30)

Spending time with my beloved sister and indulging in positive, happy activities has been good medicine for both of us.

The study reported that death rates from cancer “were up to 25 per cent higher in patients experiencing depressive symptoms and up to 39 per cent higher in patients diagnosed with major or minor depression.” Lead researcher Jillian Satin, of the University of British Columbia in Canada, told AFP: “In both of those groups, you can predict cancer mortality,”

The study by Satin and co-authors Wolfgang Linden and Melanie Phillips was an overview, called a meta-analysis, of 26 previous studies on the effect of depression on the progression of cancer and survival rates in 9,417 patients.

“The field of psycho-oncology has experienced exponential growth,” noted the study. “Eighty-five percent of cancer patients and 71.4 per cent of oncologists endorse the belief that psychological variables affect cancer.”

Satin and her co-authors observed that other researchers earlier linked heart disease, depression and higher risk of death.

Citing another study, they noted: “Depressed patients with coronary heart disease have a two-times greater risk of mortality than non-depressed patients after adjusting for clinical factors,”

Well, sheesh, who doesn’t know that your state of mind can affect your health and even your chances of recovery! This is why it’s important to avoid negative influences like pessimistic people and people who simply rub you up the wrong way, unhealthy thoughts and beliefs, bad news and disturbing TV programs. You’ve got to be discerning about what you spend your time and energy on. What are you feeding your mind and spirit with? What are you exposing yourself to everyday? What are you saying about your situation?

If you’re dealing with an illness, especially a serious one, don’t just feed your body with health-giving foods. Nourish your spirit and your mind as well. Surround yourself with positive forces such as life-affirming people, uplifting spiritual messages, happy music and things which make you laugh and bring you joy. Read and watch only uplifting material. Dwell only on things which will build you up. Sow what you want to reap. You can turn things around!

Psalm 91 from the Bible has been called the psalm of protection, as it defies the enemy and makes a stand that our Heavenly Father will not fail those who trust in Him. Many people have drawn strength from it. The interesting thing is that it’s all about taking refuge and resting in God’s love, faithfulness and promises, the kind of rest which can result in miracles. Here is Psalm 91 from the New King James version of the Bible:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “[He is] my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler [And] from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth [shall be your] shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, [Nor] of the arrow [that] flies by day,
[Nor] of the pestilence [that] walks in darkness, [Nor] of the destruction [that] lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; [But] it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, [who is] my refuge, [Even] the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
In [their] hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91 is from the Old Testament, written in Hebrew. In verse 16, the last verse, the word ’salvation’ in the original Hebrew is ‘Yeshua’, or Jesus. Salvation and Jesus are synonymous. That’s something to think about.

Don’t let negative thoughts get to you. May Psalm 91 protect you and encourage you.

Michael Jackson had styled himself after Peter Pan, the boy who refuses to age. He took extraordinary measures to stay youthful-looking. Well, he certainly didn’t look like a typical 50-year old, but what is the use of looking young if you don’t have health, happiness and peace? He was such a tormented soul, in spite of all his wealth and success. Apparently, he was on various medications, including painkillers, in the lead-up to his farewell concert series “This Is It!”. What an ironic title!

Did drugs kill Michael Jackson? Was stress the culprit? Stress has been proven to be harmful to health. Did he push himself too hard? Did having too many medical procedures contribute to his premature death? The results of the autopsy will only be out in a few weeks time, so we can only wonder for now.

Farrah Fawcett was once the epitome of youth, health and beauty. Women the world over longed to look like her. Who ever imagined that something as pedestrian as cancer would one day cut her life short? She had played sports regularly before her cancer diagnosis in 2006, so what did she do wrong?

Every day of life is a gift from God. While it’s important to be responsible about how you live and try to make wise choices, keeping close to your Maker is really the smartest thing you could ever do. My oncologist told me recently that I’m in remarkably good shape, with healthy organs and blood. I’ve done many stupid things in my life, so credit must go to Jesus for saving me and preserving me, in spite of all the odds. Every day, I thank my heavenly Father for the day before, as well as the day ahead. I thank Him for loving me and protecting me, and thank Him that the day will end well. I also stand by the Word of God and declare that He will satisfy me with a long life (Psalm 91:16). I never start the day without Him.

Too many people are dying too soon. We’re only human, so don’t leave home without Him.