Enough with the Universe Talk, Already

I am diverting from my normal topics here for a little vent.  I am really tired of hearing all the endless talk about “the Universe”.  Have you noticed the recent talk about “the universe”?  What exactly is this universe that seems to be guiding people in so many ways?  I confess to being one of those self-help junkies.  I read what I can get my hands on because there ‘s usually at least one nugget that I can find useful.  I also spend a good deal of time following, reading about and listening to influencers, entrepreneurs, speakers and writers who are getting out great messages of encouragement, motivation and life stuff.

I do get a lot of valuable content and motivation from current “big times” out there, however . . .

What I am about to say will likely offend some folks and may turn away some of my followers.  Let’s be honest here, though.  I do not have a huge following.  I have a wonderful, loyal group of folks who read my content, interact with me and for whom I am SO grateful.  I am ridiculously thankful each time I get a comment or see my numbers because I am always amazed that people actually read what I write and have kind things to say.  I appreciate you so much!  So, if I am bothering or you disagree with me I totally get it.

I was recently listening to a podcast and the speaker explained how she had this idea and decided to just put it out for the universe to decide. I have heard this again and again.  What I do not understand and am so tired of hearing is how “the universe” speaks to people and leads them to success.  I am sorry, but do you know what the universe is?

Here is the Wikipedia definition of universe:

The Universe is all of space and time^[a] and their contents,^[9] including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy. While the spatial size of the entire Universe is still unknown,^[3] it is possible to measure the observable universe.

So, you mean to tell me that these folks rely on listening to space, planets, stars and galaxies to tell them their next step, to lead them to the right path, to help them make decisions?  Don’t get me wrong, I can get a little “woo woo” with the next person, but I don’t understand this pervasive reliance on the planets to give advice.

Maybe the problem I have is that it seems that people are afraid to profess a reliance on their faith or religion.  It seems that either there is a fear of talking about religion and faith or they would rather just not go there and would rather say that it is the universe that guides them.  The universe is much less messier and complicated than relying on a real faith or religion.  Maybe?

I know this is supposed to be a healthy living site.    I am not a Christian writer and I don’t write about my faith on a regular basis here.  However, I don’t try to hide it either.  I have a strong faith and always have.  Maybe it was the eight straight years of not missing a day of Sunday School, or sitting beside my grandmother every week in church, or maybe the good old fashioned Baptist hymns that still bring me to tears.  I cannot say, but I will tell you that it has been my faith that has brought me up from the deepest pit when I thought I was stuck, got me off the couch in the midst of all-consuming grief,  helped me make hard choices and allowed me to get through those tough times that come with living life. I just don’t think I could leave my life choices and darkest times to the planets and stars.  I could not and would not say that I put my life, choices or prayers up to the planets to help me.

I say just own it.

And since I can typically bring any and all subjects back to health, I am going to do it here.

There are actually  strong, scientific benefits of relying on your faith and religion?

Lower blood pressure

A 1998 study found that religiously active older adults are 40% less likely to have high blood pressure than those who are less active. spiritual people, the researchers couldn’t figure out why.

More life satisfaction

Religious people report more happiness and score higher in terms of life-satisfaction than non-believers. According to a 201o study in the American Sociological Review, this is likely because regular church attendance leads to strong social bonds within congregations. In other words, believers tend to have more friends!

More resilience in the face of insurmountable odds

When people are suffering from advanced-stage cancers, turning to religion to cope may actually prolong their lives, according to a 2009 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers interviewed 345 late-stage cancer patients, and assessed their spirituality up through their death. Most of the patients—88%—were religious, and their resilience showed during treatment. The rate of resuscitation was 7.4% for those with a high level of religious coping, versus 1.8% among those with low levels.

A healthier immune system

People who attend religious services at least once a week may have a stronger immune system. The 1997 study, also from Duke University Medical Center looked at 1,718 older adults, and found that the highly spiritual participants were about half as likely as those who don’t attend religious services to have high levels of interleukin-6, an inflammatory protein in the immune system linked to certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, and some viral infections.

A longer life

Finally, attending religious services more than once a week has been linked to an additional seven years of life, compared to those who never go. The 1999 study found that skipping religious services translates into a 1.87 times greater risk of death versus those who (heh, religiously) show up. The researchers theorize the many social benefits of a religious community may help keep people healthier for longer.

Credit

Being a believer is great for your health.

So, just know that if I ever make it “big time” and am talking about how or what helped me reach that point you will not hear me say it was the “universe”.  Ever.  I know who blesses me each and every day and to whom I can always rely for strength, wisdom and guidance.

Vent over now.

Enjoy Your Day!