Hello Reader,

If you missed last week’s podcast episode, #205 How to Have Meaningful Conversations, you can listen to it when you click here.​

While I work on next week’s show I’ll leave you today with something interesting I came across in a book I’m reading. The book is Wired for Love – A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection by Stephanie Cacioppo.

The author applies what she’s learned about the neuroscience of love to her own relationships, first as a single person, and then as woman who gets married for the first time at age 37. It’s quite interesting as she quotes research studies about the neuroscience behind love. I didn’t think there was such a thing, but there is.

The book touches upon loneliness in several places. One section in particular ties in with the US holiday of Thanksgiving coming up later this month. The author writes,

Lonely people usually don’t feel particularly grateful for their lot in life. Yet try to force yourself, as you do at the Thanksgiving table, to come up with things for which you’re thankful. It could be your family or your dog or your health or the weather outside or even yourself (for making it through every day). Every day, try writing down five things that you truly appreciate. Studies show that such simple exercises can significantly improve subjective well-being, and reduce feelings of loneliness.

I’m not feeling lonely today, and Thanksgiving is a few weeks away, but here are five things I’m thankful for at the moment:

  1. I don’t have cancer
  2. Neither Janet nor I have been in a car accident in the past 20+ years or so
  3. Father Patrick O’Malley, our cat who came to America and moved in with us one year ago this month
  4. Our twin grandsons who are finding joy in the most recent “firsts” of their young lives. One in his first job out of college, and the other in his first year of law school.
  5. Our friend Terry who is home from the hospital recovering from several heart surgeries. He was finally able to sleep in his own bed recently for the first time in 46 days (Terry is the husband of Carol, our podcast’s executive producer.)

How about you?

I’d love to hear what you are thankful for lately. Please send me whatever comes to mind, even if it is just one thing.

Until next week when episode #206 drops, I wish you all the joy that you can wish.*

John Certalic

You Were Made for This is the podcast sponsored by Caring for Others, a missionary care ministry. Please consider making a donation so we can continue the podcast and other services we provide missionaries around the world. You can make an online contribution to Caring for Others when you click here.

* The Merchant of Venice, Act III, scene 2