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Raimundo Arrunda Sobrinho wrote beautiful poetry, but for over 35 years no one knew about it.  That is because Raimundo was homeless.  He lived in Sao Paulo on a median between two busy streets, and called his home “The Island.”

Raimundo had once worked as a bookseller and gardener.  However, he had become homeless in the late 1980s, during the military dictatorship of Brazil.  Raimundo’s passion was writing, and he wrote poems and short stories every day.

One day, Raimundo met a young woman named Shalla Monteira.  He gave her one of her poems, and she was so moved by it that she decided to create a Facebook page to showcase his work.  Raimundo’s Facebook page attracted many followers, and people started to visit him at “The Island” to talk with him, and get to know him.

Then something unexpected happened.  Shalla received a message from Raimundo’s brother, who lived in another city.  He had lost contact with Raimundo decades ago, and had no idea where he was until Shalla created the Facebook page.  He invited Raimundo to come and live with his family.  Raimundo agreed.

Today, Raimundo lives with his brother and continues to write poetry.  His Facebook page has over 184,000 followers, and his poems have been published in a book.

What I love about this story is Raimundo’s dedication to his craft and his will to survive, despite living in dire and desperate circumstances for such a long time.

Oprah presented this story on her Super Soul Sunday show yesterday, and it actually made me cry.  You can watch the video here.

Did you know that the practice of gratitude can actually create happiness?

Robert Emmons, Ph.D. is a leading gratitude researcher who has conducted multiple studies regarding the relationship between gratitude and well-being. His research shows that the practice of gratitude increases happiness and reduces depression.

The practice of gratitude boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are the brain’s “happy chemicals.”

Practicing gratitude can work even when things aren’t going so well. You don’t actually have to feel spontaneous gratitude in order to produce chemical changes in your brain. All you need to do is to focus on something in your life that you appreciate. Over time, the practice trains your brain to make you feel happier.

Gratitude is natural antidepressant without side-effects!

Anyone who thinks that blogging isn’t challenging has never done it.

It is a challenge to sit down and write, and to do it consistently. It is a challenge to put your ideas out there.

Showing up at regular intervals and coming up with interesting ideas on a regular basis is hard. Blogging helps you cultivate that discipline.

Blogging pushes you to be resourceful. Your imagination gets sharper.

Blogging requires time, commitment, and discipline. Being committed to sit down and write daily or weekly is an important skill.

Some of the best things in life result from self-discipline and delayed gratification. Becoming a better writer is one of those things.

Nicholas McCarthy was 14 years old when he heard one of his friends play a Beethoven sonata for the school assembly. He was mesmerized by the performance. Right then and there he decided that he would earn his living as a concert pianist.

The decision was remarkable, not only because Nicholas had never learned to play the piano, but also because he was born without a right hand.

Nicholas was told he would never succeed as a concert pianist, and was not accepted to the local music college. He did not give up.

In 2012, Nicholas became the only one-handed pianist to graduate from the prestigious Royal College of Music in London in its entire 130-year history. He went on to a successful career as a concert pianist.

Nicholas has now performed extensively throughout the world. His debut album, Solo, was released in 2015 to critical acclaim.

I love his story of passion and persistence!

You can learn more about Nicholas McCarthy at his website.

Here are seven lifestyle changes that may help to slow down the aging process:
 
1. Eat healthy fats
Coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocados, wild salmon, nuts and seeds are among the highest quality fats we can consume. Good fats actually optimize metabolism, support positive mood and cognition, and benefit the skin and eyes.
 
2. Eat lean and clean protein
Protein helps build the hormones and neurotransmitters that we need to feel great. It also supports the building of lean muscle (and prevents muscle loss), promotes balanced blood sugar, helps support concentration and a positive mood, and supports healthy weight.
 
3. Stop Eating Sugar
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) form in the body when sugar reacts with proteins and fats in the body. The more sugar (glucose or fructose) in the body, the more AGEs. An increase of AGEs in the body can damage cells, cause inflammation, and cause advanced aging and chronic degenerative disease. AGEs have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.
 
4. Eat More Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Dark green vegetables include broccoli, collard greens, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, and various lettuces. The antioxidants in these vegetables help protect the skin, brain, and cells from damage by unstable molecules. They also contain vitamin C, which helps to prevent wrinkles.
 
5. Eat brightly colored fruits and veggies
The brightly colored organic fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C and carotenoids that support eye health and skin health. The fiber in fresh fruits and veggies help us to maintain a healthy weight.
 
6. Avoid Eating Starchy and Processed Carbohydrates
Baked goods (cookies, muffins, cakes), pasta, potatoes, crackers, pretzels, chips can literally fast-forward the aging process. The body quickly turns these foods into sugar. The consumption of starchy carbs is associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
 
7. Exercise
Embrace high intensity intervals, resistance training, walking, yoga, hiking, gardening, dancing, and swimming. These forms of exercise, increase lean muscle, improve mood, help us maintain a healthy body weight and keeps our brain sharp. Did you know that endurance training, over the long run, can actually fast-forward the aging process?
 
Reference: 7 Anti-Aging Lifestyle Strategies, 9 News, May 24, 2016, by Dr. James Rouse.