Vagus Nerve on Valentines Day

[secondtry]

Just heard on BBC Prayer for the Day that recent studies at the University of California suggest that altruistic love helps to activate the Vagus Nerve which strengthens the Immune System - I love ALL of you out there!!

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry secondtry that won't work. Altuism is giving something without expectation or wish of return.

[secondtry in reply to BobD]

Darn it! So the love doesn't count but passing on the genuine VN message may?! Yours Eternal Optimist

[Bagrat]

I volunteer with 3 organisations because I enjoy it. One manager is always keen to say how thankful they are for their vols. My reply is always " I am not giving back to society, helping others, being a good Christian etc. If I didn't enjoy it you wouldn't see me for dust. No altruism in volved" So that doesn't help!!

Just found this quote "There has been some debate on whether or not humans are truly capable of psychological altruism. ... However, because altruism ultimately benefits the self in many cases, the selflessness of altruistic acts is brought to question.!"

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Bagrat]

I say exactly the same thing as you as to why I do my voluntary work. I love it and do it because it brings me joy and I love talking to people.

[jeanjeannie50]

I try but just cannot love all of the human race. How can anyone feel love for or forgive those that are cruel to people or animals - recent stories make me shudder. There is someone in a nearby town who is torturing cats to death, it's unspeakable what they're doing to these poor animals! Do I want to help make those people better humans, no I want nothing to do with them and hope someone else will do it! They'd have the death penalty if I had my way! Oh dear no wonder I have AF!!

On a brighter note - I care about, smile and can talk easily to everyone especially the elderly, but then am I seeking the reward of trying to brighten their day?

Surely every kind or loving thing you do brings it's rewarding satisfaction.

Hmm, lots to think about re this.

Jean

[Bagrat in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Totally agree. This is why being non judgemental is always an aspiration not a reality for us all. If you work with folk who are damaged you have try very hard to separate the manifestation (their deeds) from the person.

[secondtry in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Sorry I did not get the on-line etiquette quite right, I meant to convey some tongue-in -cheek humour not really serious.

I totally agree people who do bad things are not lovable but I feel for them as they must (in most cases) have had such a bad life manifesting in that unacceptable behaviour and disappointed that Society either individually or collectively has failed them.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to secondtry]

Was a lovely thought, until I thought about it. Lol. Sorry.