{"id":10808,"date":"2026-07-08T14:53:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.truthforhealth.org\/?p=10808"},"modified":"2026-07-08T14:53:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:53:20","slug":"dr-vliets-health-tip-gratitude-and-independence-crucial-for-optimal-healthphysically-psychologically-spiritually","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.truthforhealth.org\/es\/2026\/07\/dr-vliets-health-tip-gratitude-and-independence-crucial-for-optimal-healthphysically-psychologically-spiritually\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Vliet\u2019s Health Tip: Gratitude and Independence: Crucial for Optimal Health~Physically, Psychologically, Spiritually."},"content":{"rendered":"

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July 4 2026 weekend is a momentous occasion celebrating 250 years since our Declaration of Independence from British tyranny was signed by 56 courageous men who risked everything to take this stand for liberty on behalf of people they never met.\u00a0 They risked death as traitors, persecution and prison, loss of businesses, homes, and some even had their wives and children captured or killed in retaliation by the cruel British determined to stamp out any rebellion against the King who controlled and micromanaged every aspect of the Colonists\u2019 lives.\u00a0 We have just lived through the COVID years of an out-of-control, tyrannical and persecutory government under the Biden administration. Yet, we need to understand and remember that the early Colonists\u2019 lives under the cruel, confiscatory and dictatorial King George III was far worse and over a much longer period of time than we modern Americans just experienced.<\/p>\n

So, as the fireworks light up the sky and we celebrate Independence Day, let\u2019s take a moment to focus on something other than food, travel, and busy holiday schedules. This holiday offers a powerful chance to remember the people who came before us. Our forefathers and the many countless unsung citizens who took risks, made sacrifices, and endured uncertainty to leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy more freedom, safety, and opportunity than they had experienced.<\/p>\n

Taking a moment to appreciate that legacy is more than a patriotic gesture. It can become the starting point for a daily gratitude practice that meaningfully supports your health.\u00a0 Let us celebrate our<\/em> independence of thought and action<\/em> in honoring our forefathers with gratitude<\/em> for their patriotism and sacrifice.\u00a0 In using our independent minds and free will in choosing to express gratitude, we are practicing habits that enhance every aspect of our health.<\/p>\n

Gratitude is often talked about and cited amongst the many daily healthy lifestyle habits we should practice, but how many of us really do it? On this momentous weekend, I wanted to focus our Health Tip on the actual ways that our exercising our independent minds and expressing gratitude strengthens our minds, our body, and our spiritual wellbeing. My goal is to help you turn giving gratitude and exercising your free will into easy, daily, repeatable habits to enhance your health.<\/p>\n

There are many resources to help you reflect on our history, especially this year as we celebrate our semi quincentennial (250th<\/sup> Anniversary) of our country, but I will make a personal recommendation in case you missed our June 30, 2026 Faith over Fear program \u2013 \u201cHonoring My Lee Ancestors of Stratford Hall, Virginia\u201d in which I not only honored Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, but also some of the lesser known signers and their incredible patriotism and sacrifices that they made for us and our country. This was a labor of love, and respect, and gratitude. I invite you to view it here<\/strong><\/a> with your family and take a moment to reflect on their stories and all they left us for which we are grateful today.<\/p>\n

When you think about \u201cforefathers,\u201d broaden the picture beyond a few famous names. Consider the thousands of farmers, doctors, lawyers, pastors, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, merchants and others who left their usual occupations to take up arms and fight the most powerful army and navy in the world at that time.\u00a0 Be grateful for the mothers and sisters and grandmothers who made bandages, prepared food, melted lead for bullets and keep the farms and businesses running. Give thanks for the teachers and nurses who kept communities functioning, for civil rights leaders who pushed for a more just society, and be grateful to your own ancestors who worked long hours so their children could have options earlier generations never had.<\/p>\n

Gratitude in this context is simply acknowledging: \u201cI am living in the shade of trees I didn\u2019t plant.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> That recognition can soften frustration, reduce cynicism, and open the door to a more hopeful, grounded outlook.
\nGratitude does not need to be complicated or time\u2011consuming. You can build it into your day with small, repeatable actions.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples you can incorporate. Each of these micro\u2011habits train your attention to notice the good things and not just the bad, what is working instead of only what is broken:<\/p>\n