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How positive emotions can slow down aging – Part 1

 Emotional surgery, as scrutinised and endorsed by Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, is a recognised scientific practice that can slow down aging.

I can offer some insights on the relationship between emotions and aging.

Research suggests that chronic stress, anxiety, and negative emotions can accel­erate aging, while positive emotions and stress man­agement can help promote healthy aging.

Here are some ways that “emotional surgery” could slow down aging:

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1. Stress reduction: By addressing and managing chronic stress, individuals can reduce the production of stress hormones like corti­sol, which can contribute to aging.

2. Emotional trauma re­lease: Releasing emotional trauma and promoting emo­tional healing can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are associated with aging.

3. Positive emotional states: Cultivating positive emotional states like grati­tude, joy, and love can help promote healthy aging by reducing stress and increasing feelings of well-being.

4. Mindfulness and self-awareness: Increasing mindfulness and self-aware­ness can help individuals better manage stress and negative emotions, potential­ly slowing down aging.

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5. Social connections: Building and maintaining strong social connections can help promote healthy aging by reducing stress and increasing positive emotional states.

Aging is a complex process, and there is no proven way to completely stop or reverse it. However, by prioritising emo­tional wellness and managing stress, individuals can poten­tially promote healthy aging.

Aging is a natural process that we all experience, but did you know that our emo­tions play a significant role in how we age?

Chronic stress, anxiety, and negative emotions can accel­erate aging, while positive emotions and stress man­agement can help promote healthy aging. In this article, we will explore “emotional surgery” and how it can po­tentially slow down aging.

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Stress reduction: The key to a youthful life

Chronic stress is a known contributor to aging. When we experience stress, our body produces stress hor­mones like cortisol, which can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress.

By addressing and managing chronic stress, individuals can reduce the production of stress hormones and promote healthy aging. Techniques like meditation, emotional surgery and deep breathing can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Emotional trauma release: Letting go of the past

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Emotional trauma can have a profound impact on our physical and mental health. By releasing emotional trauma and promoting emo­tional healing, individuals can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are associated with aging. This can be achieved through ther­apies like emotional freedom techniques (EFT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).

Positive emotional states: The fountain of youth

Cultivating positive emo­tional states like gratitude, joy, and love can help pro­mote healthy aging. Positive emotions can reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being, which can help slow down aging.

Activities like spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, and practicing mind­fulness can help cultivate positive emotional states.

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Mindfulness and self-awareness: The path to emotional wellness

Increasing mindfulness and self-awareness can help individuals better manage stress and negative emotions, potentially slowing down aging. By being more aware of our thoughts and emotions, we can take steps to manage stress and promote emotion­al wellness. Techniques like meditation and journaling can help increase mindfulness and self-awareness.

Social connections: The power of community

Building and maintaining strong social connections can help promote healthy aging by reducing stress and increasing positive emotional states. So­cial connections can provide emotional support, reduce feelings of loneliness, and promote a sense of belonging.

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By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson

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The Prophet part 2

Some young men queing for visas
Some young men queing for visas

“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any mean­ingful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.

I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embas­sies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.

Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”

Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.

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There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.

“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offer­ing. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.

He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suit­able piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.

Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!

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After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.

This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great sur­prise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any lan­guage, he could understand them.

Tomorrow there will be testimo­nies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘

He went to sleep smiling and whis­pering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’

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He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.

Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testi­monies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impo­tent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.

He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start mak­ing my selection, he told himself. Today!

“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his won­ders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.

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“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimo­nies, many more of you would like to testify.

Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consul­tations, after which I will give direc­tions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most important­ly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”

His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”

By Ekow de Heer

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Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives

• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship
• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship

The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.

He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and men­tor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.

Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.

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“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”

He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach pro­gramme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.

He cited testimony-sharing, mentor­ship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.

Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.

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The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.

He, therefore, called for more vol­unteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.

Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornogra­phy, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.

That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and re­store these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA

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