TIMES TODAY TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
Courageous Leadership
CONTENTS My Pulpit message notes: | Courageous Leadership| 3-4 My Devotional: Leadership marked with integrity.| 6 My Business | DT Dobie Signs Deal With Bank Of Africa For Vehicle Asset Financing | 7 My Inspiration: Is it a wish or a hope? | 8 My Entrepreneur: All work matters to God | 9 My Health: What are the health benefits of friendship? | 10-11 My Kitchen: This speedy spiced pumpkin soup is your antidote to being hungry |12 My Sports: Mary Moraa claims Kenya’s last medal at World Athletics Championships after finishing third in women’s 800m |13
Pulpit Message Notes Courageous Leadership
My Pulpit Message Notes are extracted from the sermon preached at the Nairobi Baptist Church (NBC) Ngong Road on Sunday 24th July 2022. Preacher: Rev. Majid Ochieng’, NBC Deputy Senior Pastor . Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58. Topic: Courageous Leadership
Leadership has been defined by John Maxwell as influence. To be able to influence others to move from one place to the other. Bill Hybles says that it is influence to be able to move people from here to there, where here, is a place that people are dissatisfied and there is a place that people desire to be at. Here is a place where people are not so happy, but there, is a place where people see some kind of hope. When that influence happens it is not forcing or coercing people but to work in such a way that people will be enthusiastically involved out of their own volition.
where the war was and David was left at home and his father sends him and packs some meal for him to take to his brothers.
While there he hears what is going on and what Goliath was saying and he kept asking, who is this man and what is he saying? At some point Saul had said, ‘whoever will beat this man will be able to get so much wealth and the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage’. So David asked and his older brother kept telling him to keep quiet, and the young David said, ‘What is wrong, can’t I even ask just speak and understand what is happening? And he asked then question, and he was told what has Therefore the misconception that leadership is a position should been said and what will be given. And some of the intelligence not apply. Leadership is not a position. It means primarily that that Saul had, heard him speaking and he was sent to Saul and wherever we are we are able to influence, meaning that all of us King Saul asked, what did you say?’ at any given point in time life there is someone that we are able to influence. We pray that it will be positive influence because David said, ‘please give me a chance’. Saul also almost dismisses that is what God desires. him and says, ‘you are just but a young boy and are not able to fight. And one of the things Positions should just come to afthat David says is that, ‘I will go firm the leadership abilities and in the name of the LORD. I will qualities that the Lord has given slay this giant in the name of Courageous leadership takes into to each of us. the LORD.’
consideration; the God of the leader, the goal of Courageous leadership: David the leader, the garments of the leader. and Goliath
One dictionary defines courage as a mental, or moral strength to venture, or to persevere, or to withstand danger, fear, or diffi- 1. culty. Another one says it is the ability to control your fear in a 2. dangerous, or difficult situation. 3.
Three points on courageous leadership
The God of the Leader: 1 Samuel 17:28-37, 45-47 The Goal of the Leader: 1 Samuel 17:25-30 The Garments of the Leader: 1 Samuel 17:37-44
This means fear, or the anxious moments may be there, but somehow we are able to overcome that. The context we are goThe God of the Leader: ing to look at it, for we Christians, something is already happening inside of us that when it is expressed it is an affirmation 1 Samuel 17:28-37, 45-47 of the work that has happened inside of us so that fears are still there, but we are able to overcome. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul
sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me A young boy by the name of David, who was not following his from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from brothers. He had seven brothers the first being Eliab, the sec- the hand of this Philistine.” ond Abinadab, the third Shammah and the others and as peo- Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
The context here is the war between the Israelites and the Philistines. The Philistines had this huge giant in the name of Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:4 “4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.” This is equivalent of nine feet six inches. He was a towering giant. He was in this valley where the Israelites were on one side and the Philistines were on the other side. He kept terrifying/taunting the Israelites, ‘Bring your strongest man so that I can fight him then willwe know who your God is.”
ple were preparing for the war, these first three had followed to
TT 161 | July 19th - July 25th| 2022
Pulpit Message Notes - When David had all these experiences, he acknowledges that - I am a small boy, but there is a God. - Remember at the point when David was being appointed to be a king, it was said that - ‘he was a man after God’s own heart.’ - When we know who God is, when we know our God, it does to matter the size of the giant. It does not matter if it is a lion or a bear, but David acknowledges that the God who made it possible for him to kill a lion and bear, it is only that God. - John Maxwell says, ‘courage is actually fear that has said it’s prayers.’ It is fear that is presented to God. It is the worries that we present to God, knowing our abilities and sometimes lack of it and we surrender and say, ‘God where my strength perhaps ends, please begin it from there. - The question we always need to ask, especially in a situation we are in as a nation, where we are going into elective politics and campaign, what is the source of the authority of the leader? If it is not God, it will be something else. It can be in resources, the godfathers, and sadly it can even be in the dark forces. But for David, he says, the God who allowed me to subdue and kill the lion and the bear will always be able to deliver me. And so he was able to go with courage. - I pray that you will always know that greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world. - Wherever you are, we are influencing at every given moment of our lives. I pray that you and I will know who God is. When David knew who his God was, he was able to face the nine foot giant six giant. - Verse 45 “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. - It’s not about the superior weapons, but he was able to face the impossible because he knew who his God was. - Verse 46 “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands”. David knew who his God was. - I pray that wherever you are, we will always be acutely aware of Him whom we have believed in. If we know Him, there is nothing that we are not able to overcome. - The courage of a leader starts when the leader knows the source of his authority. As a believer, our source of authority is none else other than the God Almighty, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
The Goal of the leader: 1 Samuel 17:25-30 - David primarily wanted to remove the disgrace from Israel. - Verse 25-30 “25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. 26 “26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” - This is what was motivating / driving David. This was the goal of David. - Any time you have a compelling goal / vision it is able, depending on our God, it makes us do that which sometimes looks like it is impossible. - For David, his number one goal was to eradicate this Philistine because he had caused some kind of disgrace to this children of God. - The leader’s goal always drives them to do that which sometimes is impossible. - What the leader is aiming at should be a compelling goal or vision. - Ultimately leaders should have a sole goal of improving livelihood of the led. The leaders should be more concerned with the service and primarily service to God, because when we serve God, service to man will just follow as a ripple effect. - For David, his number one concern was the ridicule / disgrace he had seen, and that motivated him to want to eliminate Goliath. - Unfortunately more often than not you find that leaders are driven by selfish interests. How to benefit self, how to protect self, how to build empires, economic or otherwise. Those are not as compelling. The real compelling vision and reason and goal for a leader should be service to God and to humanity even as
we serve God.
The Garments of the leader: 1 Samuel 17:37-44 - A leader must use their garments. I use this metaphorically. - When David was somehow able to convince Saul that he is going to face this giant, Saul brought his war clothes and put them on David, but David said, he could not fight in those, they are so big. So he threw them away -“38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armour on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” - I use ‘the garment of a leader’ metaphorically. What is it that you have been wired for? What is it that God has used you to do before? When Saul gave David another garment, David said no. - A leader must be comfortable in their own garment. That could be skills, the abilities that are God-given. If as leaders we are not careful, we could be dancing other people’s tunes and wearing oversized jackets that you hope to go to war with, but it is not yours. - Sometimes you have heard, ‘O the people said that I go’ and so you find that in this place you are there because of the pressures of the people and yet this garment that I am talking about could also qualify as your competitive advantage. The skills that God has built over the years in your life, could qualify as your experience. So everything that Saul thought could be used for war, none was fit. - In fact when David faces Goliath he says you are not even dressed up and we all know what David was able to do. - What are you qualified for, or what are we trusting God to qualify us? - There are times that you see people are pushed, or try to wear shoes that they cannot fit in and yet other times it takes a little longer for preparation so that you are able to fit in those garments and shoes. - David was so much aware of Who his God was, Who his goal was, of what garments he had, his experiences that he was not going to be just tossed all over. - It is important for a leader to know what they are wired / qualified for. There are times that people jump into leadership without being honest, or ignoring that honesty and sincerity because bottomline is this, when we are left to ourselves, we know what we are able to do and what we are not able to do. - People sometimes get into leadership because there is no other option, or pressure from others or the led, because of prestige, or the perks that come with the leadership. Because of power that comes with leadership. - David was very comfortable in his own garment. It did not look like it was suitable for war, but he was familiar with his garment and weapon. He had his own unique experiences. - Each and everyone of us, we are uniquely created and wired by God. May you be comfortable in your own unique garments. When you are, you will not be tossed all over. You will be successful because you know who your God is, your goal and what God can use you to do. And that is what David brought. - Courageous leadership takes into consideration; the God of the leader, the goal of the leader, the garments of the leader. - As we look at this next space, I pray that we will be asking those questions, as we elect our next MCAs, MPs, Women Representatives, our governors, senators and highest office of this land, who is the God of this leader? What is the goal of this leader? What is the garment, or ability of this leader? When we do that, then no matter how big the giant is, could be nine foot six or even beyond, we are able to go, because we know - greater is He who is in us that he who is in the world. - As John Maxwell says, ‘courage is fear that has said it’s prayers’.
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Life How to get saved and spend eternity with God His Love “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB) My response that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)
My prayer Lord God Almighty, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed against You. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died on the cross and You raised Him from the dead on the third day. Please write my name in the Lamb’s book of life. Help me to live a life that is holy and pleasing unto You. In Jesus’ Name I pray and believe. Amen
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Devotional Transition Marked By Integrity
By Liz Omondi | Email: timestodayke@gmail.com | Image credit: pinterest.com
26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Acts 20:26-27 NIV Who can withstand the heat?
wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.”
20 “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, While certain parts of Europe are experiencing serious heatwaves, the political and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn temperatures in many countries also have been rising over the past few months them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be causing leaders to step down in a bid to cool temperatures. remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live Two weeks ago, the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announced because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”(Ezekiel 3:18-21) his pending resignation and will remain in office until a new party leader is elected. A few days ago Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella dissolved parliament Consider Samuel the prophet, when he was transitioning and handing over triggering a snap election following the resignation of the country’s Prime Min- leadership to King Saul, as he delivered his farewell speech he said, “2 Now you ister Mario Draghi. Their national election will take place in September. have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Not forgetting the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who resigned earli- Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have er this July from his sudden exile in Singapore, a day after fleeing the country he I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I opled for nearly three years. His resignation was triggered by the civilian uprising pressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If over the island nation’s economic collapse. I have done any of these things, I will make it right.” 4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” These resignations of political leaders in high office are a rare phenomena in Africa. Hardly do we see any leaders resign for any reason including ill health 5 Samuel said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and also his anointed is and incapacitation to serve the people. witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is witness,” they said. 1 Samuel 12:2-5 The freezing temperatures in Nairobi are not warming up to the heated debates for elective positions in the run up to Kenya’s general elections in two weeks. Also, as Jesus Christ was completing His mission here on earth, John records Transitions are inevitable and the question begs, which of these leaders can one of His prayers specifically for the disciples whom He had been mentoring withstand the heat on hot-button issues touching on integrity when the time for three years. He prayed, “I have revealed You to those whom You gave me out comes to pass on the baton? of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they have obeyed Your word. 7 Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8 While we are in a season of politics, it is easier to think only about the politi- For I gave them the words You gave me and they accepted them. They knew with cians when matters integrity are discussed, but really, the question is for all of us; certainty that I came from You, and they believed that you sent me… 12 While when the job is done and you have to move on, could you confidently say that I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name You gave you are innocent of any claim that may be made against you? Could you stand me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture before God and men and declare that you have completed the task assigned with would be fulfilled. John 17:6-8, 12 all integrity? From these examples from the Scripture we see speeches that are peppered with A simple definition is integrity by the Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary is, integrity. I am both challenged and encouraged that in whatever space God has “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.” placed me, the tasks He has given me to do, I should I carry out them out with utmost integrity because one day, when the time comes to transition, I will need Considering the task God gave Paul, to preach to the Gentiles, what did he mean to present my report to Him. in his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:17-38 when he said, “I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you?” Could he have been thinking of God’s Word in Ezekiel 3:18-21 where God tells Ezekiel, “When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Business
DT Dobie Signs Deal With Bank Of Africa For Vehicle Asset Financing
By Agency
DT Dobie General Manager Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz passenger vehicles Roy Kyalo (left) and Bank of Africa Kenya Regional Branch Manager David Kaburi (right) exchange a Memorandum of Understanding for Vehicle Asset Financing for the Volkswagen Polo Vivo.
DT Dobie and Bank of Africa - Kenya signed a partnership agreement to offer Vehicle Asset Financing for the purchase of the VW Polo Vivo. Under the agreement, Bank of Africa will provide up to 90 per cent financing for vehicles with a 72 month-loan repayment period. The partnership will also offer DT Dobie customers a discounted loan-processing fee of two per cent at an interest rate of 12.5 per cent on reducing balance no matter the customers bank. The loans will be processed within 48 hours once all documents have been presented. John Kyalo DT Dobie General Manager Volkswagen & Mercedes Benz passenger vehicles said, “The Volkswagen Polo Vivo has proven popular with passenger vehicle buyers. The local assembly at KVM continues to bring new car ownership within reach of many more Kenyans as an attractive cost-effective alternative to buying used cars. The vehicle comes with a four-year service plan, or 30,000 kilometers warranty.
Speaking during the event, David Kaburi, Regional Branch Manager at Bank of Africa said, “Strategic partnerships with new car dealers are broadening our service scope as we experience growth in the asset finance car loans segment by 50 per cent this year. The facility is open to customers no matter their bank, which brings showroom vehicle ownership closer to Kenyans at a monthly installment price point that is just below Kes 40,000 with the Volkswagen Polo Vivo.’’
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Inspiration Is it a wish or a hope?
By William King | Email: kingwilliam189@gmail.com | image courtesy: nasa.gov
What are you hoping for today? Perhaps for a job promotion or a better year than last year? Is it a genuine hope, or just a wish? Whenever I hear someone say, “Well, I hope it happens,” I wonder if they realize the power of hope. Hope is far more than a wish. The apostle Paul says that hope comes from heaven (1Corinthians 13).
on” against the impossible because he kept his eyes fixed on the Almighty God and that hope fueled his faith to the point where Sarah had the strength to conceive Isaac.
The Scripture says that, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” (Hebrews 11:3). If you have a promise from God’s Word that you are believing for, put hope in front of The story of Abraham and Sarah is the classic story of faith that promise. Hope gives your faith something to anchor and hope. When God spoke the promise to Abraham that itself to you in disappointing times. they would have a son, it birthed hope in his heart. They were far past the age of conceiving a child and the promise God created this hope inside you and He doesn’t want you seemed an impossibility. So what did God do? to be vague about it. Hope creates vision. For Abraham it was the stars. You need a picture of what you’re going after “He brought Abraham outside and said, ‘Look now toward to keep that promise alive in your heart, to create vision so heaven and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ you can make it through the difficult times. He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be’.” (Genesis 15:5). God gave Abraham a beautiful visual as an anchor In Paul’s prayer in Romans 15, he says, “Now may the God for his hope. How many times did Abraham count the stars of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you to hold on to this hope in the many years that followed? may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Paul was saying, “Take your eyes off your limitations and focus The Scripture says that Abraham “did not doubt or waver in on the God of all hope, because He’s the one who’s going to unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong bring it to pass in His timing and in His way.” and empowered by faith” (Romans 4:20). He could “hope TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
Every Good G S ift
ells
Entrepreneur
All work matters to God By Jordan Raynor |www.biblicalleadership.com | image credit: istock
“Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the broth- I think God is pointing us back to Genesis to remind us that er of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?” (Mark 6:3a). he is a God who creates things for others—just like a carpenter. I think he’s saying, “Your work that others call ‘secuToday’s verse contains one of the only details about Jesus’s lar’ is crucial to my kingdom-building project.” life between the ages of 12 and 30 when he began his public ministry. For approximately eighty percent of his adult life, And of course, Jesus reaffirmed this when he called his disJesus wasn’t preaching. He was working as a carpenter. ciples. Given that his ministry was about preaching “the gospel of the kingdom” (see Matthew 22:14), you might exGiven Jesus’s ultimate purpose, this truth should stop us in pect Jesus to enlist the help of Pharisees and other religious our tracks. professionals. But instead, he called fishermen and tax collectors. God could have placed Jesus in a priestly household like John the Baptist or the home of a Pharisee like Paul. But in- Over and over again, Jesus vividly reminded us that all work stead, God chose for Jesus to grow up in the household of a matters to God. carpenter, doing work that looked very similar to the work you and I do today. Why? Of course, we can’t be sure, but here’s my guess: I think Jesus’s vocation is meant to remind us that even after the Fall, work is still inherently good. TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Health
What are the health benefits of friendship? www.medicalnewstoday.comWritten by Katharine Lang on July 23, 2022 — Fact checked by Hilary Guite, FFPH, MRCGP
For most people, friendships form an important part of life. Sharing experiences is part of being human. And many studies have shown that loneliness has a negative effect on our well-being. Friendship has a positive impact on mental health, but can it also have physical benefits? Medical News Today looks at the evidence and speaks to experts to find out why friendships are good for our health and wellness. We do not have to be social all the time — sometimes we need to enjoy our own space — but all people need social interactions.
Once we decide that we value someone, more often than not we will work at maintaining that friendship. Speaking with Medical News Today, Dr. Scott Kaiser, a geriatrician and director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, had this to say about friendship’s role in the evolution of humanity:
“Research suggests that evolution has continually selected for increasing social connection with social interaction and networks playing a major role in the That is why people make friends and work at maintaining those friendships. survival of people. According to this framework, our ancestors formed social And quality friendships will benefit all those involved. connections — working together, sharing food, and otherwise helping each other—to feel safe and protected.”
The evolutionary basis of friendship
We need friends
Human beings are a social species. From the earliest times, individuals have needed to cooperateTrusted Source in order to survive, and we still do. We are “Humans are hardwired to connect and social connections are an essential part not alone in this — most animalsTrusted Source have social interactions and of good health and well-being — we need them to survive and thrive, just like rely on cooperation. we need food, water and oxygen,” said Dr. Kaiser. Although animal friendships have been derided as anthropomorphism, research As children, most of us find that it is easy to make friends, but adults can find it has now shown that some animals do form long-term, stable relationships just more challenging. The good news is that the benefits of childhood friendships like human friendships. stay with us well into adulthood. Of course, not all animals have such friendships — as far as we know, these are In one study, boys were followed up at the age of 32. Those who reported having restricted to those that live in stable social groupsTrusted Source, such as higher had lots of friends in childhood had lower blood pressure and were more likely primates, elephants and cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins. to be a healthy weight than those who were less sociable. The basis of friendship is to value one another — each individual offers some- And it is not just close friendships that are good for us. People of all ages benefit thing that is valuable to another individual. from any type of social interaction. A 2017 studyTrusted Source into “SuperAgers” — people in their 80s who have the memory skills of those several decades As humans, we value others for all sorts of reasons. They might like the same younger — found that they had far greater levels of positive social relationships things we do, they might have similar political views, or perhaps lend help with than those with cognitive abilities expected for their age. work or chores.
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Health Friendships and mental health
That support and encouragement can benefit even those who like to exercise. A 2017 study in medical students found that those who undertook a weekly group exercise class had significantly lower stress levels than those According to a 2014 study, “loneliness is caused not by being alone, but by who did the same amount of exercise alone. being without some definite needed relationship or set of relationships.”
Why are friendships good for us?
The study went on to suggest that loneliness can lead to many psychiatric disorders, such as depression, personality disorders, alcohol use and sleep disorders, and may even contribute to physical health problems. So all the evidence suggests that socialization benefits both our mental and physical health. But why? The key could be oxytocin. So does socializing help protect against mental health disorders? Almost certainly, as Lee Chambers, psychologist and founder of Essentialise Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter, produced in the hypothalWorkplace Wellbeing, told MNT. amus. It is involved in childbirth and lactation, but is also associated with empathy, generosityTrusted Source and trust, all of which are key factors “Having friends,” he noted, “has the potential to protect us from the im- in friendships. pact of loneliness, and having effective friendships can buffer us from the adverse effects of loneliness.” One study found that oxytocin was vital for social recognition in rodents, and this effect was also seen in people. Another, where researchers adminBut what is an effective friendship? According to one study, high-quality istered oxytocin to people via a nasal spray, found that this increased trust friendships are more likely to be characterized by support, reciprocity, and and made them more willing to accept social risks. intimacy. But why does oxytocin have physical benefits? These are likely to be due Effective friendships provide a strong sense of companionship, mitigate to its effect on cortisol — the stress hormone. Participants in a study who feelings of loneliness, and contribute to both life satisfaction and self-es- received oxytocin intranasally had lower levels of cortisol than those who teem. received a placebo when subjected to the stress of public speaking. And there is a positive feedback loop between social relationships and self-esteem — each reinforces the other. So friendships boost self-esteemTrusted Source, which is a protective factor for both physical and mental health.
The adrenal glands release cortisol when a person is under stress. This is good for emergency situations as it prepares us for action, but bad when it occurs long-term. Among other things, long-term high cortisol can cause high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and fatigue.
The effect on physical health
So keeping cortisol levels down is a good idea. That is where socialization comes in. When we are relaxed during positive social interactions, our bodies release oxytocin, so cortisol levels drop, and perhaps with them, Lack of social interaction affects not only our mental health. Studieshave also our blood pressure. shown that a low quantity or quality of social ties is linked to many medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, cancer and impaired immune function. “Social isolation and loneliness have negative health impacts on par with obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and are associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia. Simply taking a moment [to] connect with someone — even through a brief phone call — can reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression and deliver brain-protecting benefits.”
‘Connection matters, but it’s not about numbers’ “Connection matters, but it’s not just about sheer numbers — amassing the most possible friends on your favorite social media platform or in the real world — but about the quality of those connections and enjoying the invaluable benefits of meaningful, supportive relationships.” – Dr. Scott Kaiser
– Dr. Scott Kaiser
A 2010 meta-analysis of 148 studies — looking at the data of 308,849 peo- We all enjoy time to ourselves, and some friendships can have a negative ple in total — found that participants with stronger social relationships influence on our health and well-being, but there is plenty of evidence that had a 50% higher chance of survival over an average of 7.5 years than supportive relationships do us good. those without. So even the loners among us should recognize that getting out and conThis study concluded that “[s]ocial relationship–based interventions rep- necting with people can make us happier and healthier, and it might even resent a major opportunity to enhance not only the quality of life but also make us live longer. survival.” Chambers agreed: “Studies have shown that strong friendships can lessen risk factors for poorer long-term health, including waist circumference, blood pressure, and inflammation levels. Emotional support plays a big factor in this, with having somebody to listen, validate feelings and be a positive distraction an important structure in modern life, alongside the encouragement and support to adopt healthier behaviors and improve health outcomes.”
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Kitchen This speedy spiced pumpkin soup is your antidote to being hungry BY PHOEBE WOOD | https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes
“Because the pumpkin is grated, this tasty soup is on the table in 20 minutes. Use a good store-bought curry powder or try your own favourite homemade spice blend” - Phoebe Wood.
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1.Heat oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. 50g unsalted butter Add ginger and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until fragrant. 5cm piece (25g) ginger, finely grated Add pumpkin and stir to coat. 1 butternut pumpkin, peeled, coarsely grated Add curry powder and stir to coat the pumpkin. 1 tbs curry powder Add stock, coconut milk and coriander root. 4 cups (1 litre) Massel Chicken Style Liquid Stock Bring to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until pumpkin is 2 x 400ml cans coconut milk, plus extra to serve (we used Wool- tender. worths Macro) Cool slightly, then, in 2 batches, whiz in a blender until smooth. Sea1 bunch coriander, leaves picked, roots washed and chopped son to taste. 2.To serve, swirl extra coconut milk through soup. Top with coriander leaves and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
My Sports Mary Moraa claims Kenya’s last medal at World Athletics Championships after finishing third in women’s 800m | https://www.standardmedia.co.ke | By Odero Charles | Jul 25th 2022
Bronze medallist Moraa [Twitter]
Kenya’s Mary Moraa on Monday morning claimed bronze in the women’s 800m after finishing third behind Athing Mu of USA and Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, who led the pack going into the final lap, Kelly Hodgkingson of Great Britain at the World Athletics Champi- finished fourth in 1:57.02. onships in Oregon. After claiming the bronze, Moraa said: “This is a very special achieveAthing Mu,20, took up the running with 300m to go but Hodgkin- ment for me and my village. The race was tough but I tried to push son, also second behind her in the Tokyo Olympics, went with her myself to finish like this. I gained my limits like 200m to go and I saw and when the American drifted slightly wide coming into the home the girls in front of me. straight, the Briton, also 20, squeezed into the gap and looked set to go past. “But then I decided to close the gap and to move forward. Like 100m to go, they tried to push hard but I also did it. I pushed myself until Hodgkinson cut inside to start the final 100 meters, but she only held the finish to take bronze and I am so happy about it.” the lead for a moment as Mu retook the lead and sprinted to the finish line. On her part, Athing Mu, who is now the Olympic and world champion at that distanc, said she struggled in capturing gold in the 800, Mu, who became the first American woman to win the 800m world busting through the two laps in 1:56.30 — a .08 margin over Britain’s championship title, an event that has been contested since 1983, Keely Hodgkinson. passed the line in a world lead time of 1:56.30, with Hodgkinson second in 1:56.38. “I’m just glad I could make it to the line and finish the race,” she said. “And thank God I won gold.” There was also a personal best for bronze medallist Moraa who finished the race in 1:56.71 to claim Kenya’s last medal at the World Athletics Championships.
TT 162 | July 26th - August 1st | 2022
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