When I was kid I remember running around with my friends repeating the old saying “Liar, Liar, pants on fire, hanging on a telephone wire…” I am not exactly sure who the author is, or where this came from, but I thought of it while reading a short paragraph about “lies” and how they can affect our health, found in the January 2013 issue of Family Circle: “Next time you’re tempted to tell a fib, fess up! Eliminating 3 lies in a week–even little ones–leads to fewer headaches, sore throats and other mental and physical complaints.” As a child I do remember telling lies, but now that I am an adult and married with children I have on occasion been known to tell a fib now and then, and when I do the Lord deals with my heart immediately (it’s also called a conscience-you’re inner voice that knows right from wrong) so I have learned to make it right asap. I think the reason why many tell “fibs” is because they’re afraid to share how they “really” feel. I think that’s why I’ve always enjoyed writing. For me this is how I tackle just about everything and anything that is or has bothered me and how I’ve learned to confront and overcome the negative circumstances in my life. Writing helps me to get the “junk” out, and by “junk” I mean any unhealthy emotions that are attached to negative circumstances, including people: What they say or don’t say, or what they do or don’t do.
Just like lies, negative emotions have also been known to affect our health, “Keeping a journal is a great way to release feelings. Holding on to feelings of sadness and anger can harm your physical and mental health. The very ritual of placing those feelings in that book (journal) can give you some relief. You can also return to earlier pages and determine how your feelings have changed over time. If you are struggling in relationships, a journal can pinpoint areas you need to strengthen and can sometimes even show you patterns of dysfunction that call for action.” Article by “How Keeping A Journal Can Improve Your Health” at peoplesproblems.org
So the next time you catch yourself wanting to tell a lie or fib, do your “body” a favor and consider jotting down your feelings in a journal or just a plain old notepad and pen and write your way toward a healthier you!
