Well-being: The Ancient, Modern, and Very Necessary Pursuit of Feeling Good

Let’s be honest: “well-being” is one of those words that gets thrown around so much it almost sounds like a fancy spa treatment. (“Excuse me, I’ll have the aromatherapy massage with a side of well-being, please.”) But underneath the buzzword-y glow, well-being is one of the most important, timeless, and universal human quests—something we’ve been chasing since we figured out fire was useful for more than roasting marshmallows.

So, what is well-being, really?

At its core, well-being is the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy. It’s not just the absence of sickness or stress—it’s the presence of positive stuff: energy, purpose, connection, meaning, resilience, and, yes, maybe even a good night’s sleep (unicorn-level rare, I know). It’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and even financial. Basically, well-being is the whole kit and caboodle of being human.

A (very quick and fun) history of well-being

Well-being isn’t a new idea. Ancient Greeks were already pondering it, using the word eudaimonia, which roughly translates to “human flourishing” (and sounds like a fancy olive oil, but it’s not). Meanwhile, in ancient India, well-being was baked right into Ayurveda and yoga—entire systems designed around harmony of body, mind, and spirit. The Chinese had qi and balance, Indigenous peoples everywhere practiced holistic well-being through community and connection to nature, and medieval monks wrote about the joy of contemplation.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve got well-being apps pinging our phones, workplace “wellness initiatives” with free granola bars, and self-care trends that range from green smoothies to goat yoga. We might chuckle, but the truth is: humans have always been obsessed with feeling good, staying healthy, and living meaningful lives.

Why is well-being important?

Here’s the short answer: everything works better when we’re well.

• For ourselves: When we prioritize well-being, we have more energy, clarity, and resilience to handle life’s curveballs (including in-laws, taxes, and Wi-Fi outages).

• For our families: A well-balanced parent, partner, or grandparent sets the tone for the whole household. When one person invests in their well-being, it ripples through family dinners, bedtime routines, and even the dog notices.

• For the economy: Believe it or not, well-being is big business. Healthy, happy people are more productive, creative, and less likely to burn out. Countries that prioritize citizens’ well-being often see stronger economies (and less money spent on preventable healthcare crises).

• For society: Communities with higher well-being tend to have lower crime, better education, and more civic engagement. Translation: well-being makes people more likely to vote, volunteer, recycle, and maybe even smile at strangers.

The bottom line

Well-being isn’t just a personal indulgence—it’s a collective investment. It’s history, science, culture, and community rolled into one. And while we can’t control everything (hello, global news cycle), we can choose to water our own little well-being gardens: moving our bodies, eating something that grew in the ground, connecting with loved ones, getting enough rest, finding meaning in our days, and yes—sometimes splurging on that latte because joy counts, too.

If you’ve ever wondered if your pursuit of well-being is selfish, let me reassure you: it’s not. It’s contagious. It strengthens not only you, but your family, your community, and even the economy. (And who knew your bubble bath could be so patriotic?)

So, let’s raise a green smoothie—or a glass of red wine, both valid—to well-being: the ancient, modern, and absolutely necessary art of feeling good.

To flourish in the context of well-being means more than just “getting by” or “surviving”—it’s about thriving in every layer of life. Physically, it’s having the energy and strength to move through your days with vitality. Mentally, it’s cultivating clarity, curiosity, and resilience. Emotionally, it’s feeling balanced, connected, and able to navigate ups and downs with grace. Spiritually, flourishing means living with a sense of purpose or connection to something greater than yourself. And yes, even financially, it’s about stability and freedom—the ability to make choices that support your health and happiness. To flourish is to live fully, with all these dimensions in harmony, so your life feels expansive rather than constrained.

JOIN my private Friday Flourish Facebook Group HERE.

To flourish is to thrive—body strong, mind clear, heart steady, spirit grounded, and finances free enough to support it all.

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.

After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond Book by Dr. Bruce Greyson

The world's leading expert on near-death experiences reveals his journey toward rethinking the nature of death, life, and the continuity of consciousness.

Cases of remarkable experiences on the threshold of death have been reported since ancient times, and are described today by 10% of people whose hearts stop. The medical world has generally ignored these “near-death experiences,” dismissing them as “tricks of the brain” or wishful thinking. But after his patients started describing events that he could not just sweep under the rug, Dr. Bruce Greyson began to investigate.

As a physician without a religious belief system, he approached near-death experiences from a scientific perspective. In After, he shares the transformative lessons he has learned over four decades of research. Our culture has tended to view dying as the end of our consciousness, the end of our existence―a dreaded prospect that for many people evokes fear and anxiety.

But Dr. Greyson shows how scientific revelations about the dying process can support an alternative theory. Dying could be the threshold between one form of consciousness and another, not an ending but a transition. This new perspective on the nature of death can transform the fear of dying that pervades our culture into a healthy view of it as one more milestone in the course of our lives. After challenges us to open our minds to these experiences and to what they can teach us, and in so doing, expand our understanding of consciousness and of what it means to be human.

Buy: After (Amazon)

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.

The Signs by Tara Swart MD PhD

The neuroscientist, medical doctor, and powerhouse author of The Source shares the lost art of listening to your intuition and allowing the signs around you to guide the way to achieving the life of your dreams.

"This is more than a book, it’s a healing experience." — Jay Shetty, #1 New York Times bestselling author and host of On Purpose Podcast

Buy:  The Signs (Amazon)

Have you ever thought of someone just before they called? Or experienced a coincidence that felt too unlikely to be true?

It’s all too easy to dismiss synchronicities or signs like these as chance. But what if they weren’t? And what if, by learning to tune into them, you could access a guiding wisdom that would help you overcome challenges and cultivate personal growth?

In this groundbreaking book, world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart explains how. Bringing together breathtaking real-life stories with teachings from cognitive psychology, near-death experiences, and much more, she’ll show you how to:

• Tap into your most important decision-making tool: your intuition.
• Break free from the distractions and stress of modern life and focus on what matters most.
• Shift your mindset from fixed thinking to openness and wonder, so you can see life’s limitless possibilities.

With compelling theories about the nature of consciousness, and transformative tools to create a deep connection with the signs around you, let this book empower you to trust your instincts and thrive like never before.

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.

India Reads: Blue, bold, and divine—your favorite Hindu Gods just got a 21st-century upgrade

Imagine if the Hindu Gods walked among us in 2025—liking memes, sipping creamy blue lassis in hip cafés, navigating 21st-century chaos, and still finding ways to save the day.

Blue Lassi is a dazzling, genre-bending collection of short stories where timeless legend collides with surreal modernity, splattering divine brilliance across the unpredictable, endlessly scrolling landscape of our times.

Here, Krishna drops irresistible DJ sets in secret basement clubs that move bodies and awaken hearts. Durga sparks a blue lassi uprising so audacious it flips the world upside down. Kali channels her fierce energy in the kickboxing ring, unstoppable as ever. Hanuman skyrockets to viral fame, flexing both his colossal strength and a kindness as boundless as the horizon.

Woven through each tale is the color blue—otherworldly, eternal, electric—a shimmering thread binding every divine adventure. It is the hue of endless skies, sacred waters, and the lassi that seals their shared vow of joy, rebellion, and unstoppable vitality.

Told with whimsical wit and reverent depth, Blue Lassi reframes the holy for our messy, modern lives—revealing that the divine doesn’t just dwell in temples or sacred texts. It hides in midnight text threads, gridlocked streets, bustling bazaars, and impromptu street parades. Magic is here. Always. You only have to notice.

Whether you’re drawn by the gods, the color, or the glorious pandemonium, you’ll leave with more than stories—you’ll leave with a reminder: the sacred can be playful, the profound can be cheeky, and the blue is always waiting for you.

Blue Lassi by Lee Sunday – Available now worldwide on Amazon. Join the movement. Savor the wonder. Drink the blue.

These tales reimagine the divine, inviting readers to find the sacred not only in temples and scriptures—but in late-night texts, traffic jams, messy lives, and joyful revolutions.

Blue Lassi is a love letter to the Gods, to India, and to everyone searching for magic in the mundane.

ORDER Kindle or Paperback

Amazon USA

Amazon Canada

Amazon India

Amazon UK

Amazon Australia

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.

Plants & Herbs I’m Loving Right Now Thanks to Herbalist Simon Mills and DOAC

I’ve always believed that plants aren’t just for looking pretty in a vase or brightening up a windowsill. They’ve been looking after us for thousands of years—helping us heal, feel better, and even think more clearly. Lately, I’ve been reading and listening to herbalist Simon Mills (a walking encyclopedia of plant wisdom!) and I just had to share some of the herbs and spices he recommends.

Here’s the lovely thing: you don’t need a rare jungle root or an expensive tincture to start. Many of these are right in your spice rack or growing in your garden.

Spices: Your Everyday Kitchen Medicine

Every time you sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or stir turmeric into soup, you’re doing more than making food taste delicious—you’re adding little plant powerhouses into your day. These “phytonutrients” (fancy word for the good stuff in plants) help calm inflammation, keep your gut happy, and even give your brain a boost.

Some favourites:

• Ginger & Cinnamon – Warm, cozy, and so good for digestion. Ginger has a zing that wakes you up, while cinnamon feels like a hug from the inside.

• Rosemary (and Sage) – Just sniffing fresh rosemary can wake up your mind. It’s amazing for memory and focus. I sometimes add a sprig to hot water for a gentle tea—or even just inhale the steam.

I order my pure rosemary essential oil from here. I do breathwork inhaling it a few times just by opening up the cap! 

I diffuse a POWERHOUSE pure essential oil blend called ARMOR. I get it here.

Armor up against whatever’s going around with this protective blend! It’s always there for us during cold weather with its warm, spicy, and camphor-like aroma. Armor contains a powerful blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and rosemary. Try diffusing it to help freshen your environment or simply rub it into your palms and take a few deep breaths.

Yes, Chocolate Counts 

You’ll be happy to know that Simon Mills gives a thumbs-up to dark chocolate—but not just any bar from the candy aisle. We’re talking at least 75% cocoa. The higher cocoa content means more flavonoids, those wonderful plant compounds that help your heart, circulation, and even mood. A small square or two after dinner can be both a treat and a little dose of plant medicine. It’s rich, it’s indulgent, and it’s doing more good than guilt—if you keep it in moderation.

The Calm Energy of Green Tea

I’ve always loved the gentle lift from a cup of green tea. Unlike coffee, its caffeine is paired with L-theanine, an amino acid that smooths out the jitters and helps you focus. Simon points out that it’s also brimming with antioxidants that support brain and heart health. Whether you like it hot, iced, or whisked up into a frothy matcha latte, green tea feels like an easy daily habit that your body will thank you for.

Coffee, Done Right (I order mine from The Wellness Club)

Good news for my fellow coffee lovers—coffee can be a health ally, too. Simon says it’s not just about the caffeine kick; it’s packed with polyphenols that can protect your cells from damage. The trick is to keep it real—skip the sugary syrups and heavy cream, and aim for a clean, quality brew. Two cups a day is a sweet spot for many people. For me, that first morning cup is less about the caffeine and more about the comforting ritual—the aroma, the warmth, and the slow start to the day.

Happy Gut, Happy You

Your gut is more than a food tube—it’s home to your immune system, mood support, and overall health. When you feed it well, everything else benefits.

• Meadowsweet – A gentle, stomach-soothing herb that’s much kinder than aspirin. Perfect after a big or rich meal.

• Eat the Rainbow – No, not candy. I mean colourful fruits and veggies—deep greens, reds, purples, oranges. Each colour brings a different kind of healing magic.

Herbs for Warming & Comfort

Feeling a bit under the weather or chilled to the bone? Herbs can help you warm up and get your immune system moving.

• A simple ginger and cinnamon tea is a go-to for me when I feel a sniffle coming on. It warms you from head to toe and just makes you feel cared for.

Helping the Heart & Mind

Some herbs work quietly in the background, keeping your circulation, heart, and brain healthy.

• Ginkgo – Known for helping blood flow to the brain, which can keep your mind sharper.

• Hawthorn – A gentle, heart-supporting herb that also helps with blood vessels. It’s like a quiet guardian for your cardiovascular system.

Try This Week

1. Make a “Spice Mix” – Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, maybe cardamom or fennel. Stir into soups, curries, or even smoothies.

2. Rosemary Tea or Steam – Steep a sprig, sip slowly, or inhale the scent—it’s uplifting.

3. Meadowsweet Tea – Gentle and soothing for digestion.

4. Cardamom in Coffee or Tea – Subtle and comforting.

5. Ginkgo or Hawthorn – If you’re curious about heart or brain support, chat with a qualified herbalist and give them a try.

Plants are everyday magic. They don’t shout about what they can do—they just quietly show up for us. Maybe this week, try adding one of these herbs or spices to your routine and see how you feel.

And if you have a favourite plant or spice you swear by, tell me. You know I’ll want to try it too.

View The Wellness Store Info

A Rising Tide of Kindness: Why Service Is Life’s Greatest Work

To Enhance the Lives of Those We Touch by Helping People Reach Their Goals.

“A rising tide lifts all boats.”

It’s a proverb meaning that when conditions improve—such as economic growth, community well-being, or shared opportunity—everyone benefits, not just a select few.

LEARN one way to serve others here.

It’s often used in economics and politics, but it also works beautifully as a philosophy for service: if you focus on lifting the whole, everyone—including you—rises together.

Service to others is often described as the highest calling because it shifts the center of life away from self-absorption and toward contribution. When you focus on service, you align with something larger than yourself—whether that’s community, humanity, or even the well-being of future generations.

Here’s why it’s so powerful:

1. It gives meaning beyond personal gain. Material success and personal achievements can bring joy, but their satisfaction often fades. Acts of service create enduring fulfillment because they’re rooted in purpose, compassion, and shared human connection.

2. It builds deeper relationships. Service fosters trust, gratitude, and reciprocity. People naturally gravitate toward those who uplift and support them, which strengthens both personal and communal bonds.

3. It expands empathy and perspective. Helping others pulls you out of the narrow lens of your own challenges. It opens your eyes to diverse realities and teaches humility, resilience, and understanding.

4. It creates a legacy. What you do for yourself often ends with you, but what you do for others ripples outward—affecting families, communities, and sometimes entire generations.

5. It transforms you. Service shapes character. It replaces ego with humility, fear with courage, and isolation with connection. Many people discover their truest selves not when they’re striving for their own gain, but when they’re working to improve someone else’s life.

It’s not about grand gestures. Service can be as simple as kindness in conversation, sharing knowledge freely, or helping a neighbor. Over time, these acts accumulate into a life of richness and significance.

If you live in service, you don’t just leave the world better than you found it—you also live better while you’re here.

Service is the quiet art of living for more than yourself.

It is the steady turning outward—toward the needs, hopes, and burdens of others—like a flower bending toward the sun.

When you give of your time, your attention, your hands, or your heart, you enter into an ancient rhythm: the same one that’s kept villages alive, healed strangers, and carried humanity through its darkest winters. Service makes you part of something infinite.

It dissolves the walls of “me” and “mine,” letting you see the great weaving we’re all caught in. Every thread you lift strengthens the fabric for someone else, and in doing so, your own strand grows brighter, stronger, more unbreakable.

A life spent in service is not a smaller life—it is the largest one possible. For when you give, you do not lose; you multiply. Every kindness sows seeds in soil you may never walk upon, yet the flowers will bloom, and their scent will carry your name long after you are gone.

Serve not for recognition, but for the quiet knowing that you have been a light in the lives of others. For in the end, all we leave behind is the love we gave away.

“Live to lift. Give to grow. Love to last.”

Service to Others.

Ditch & Switch:  Is one way to help others. Show them how easy it is to ditch the toxic products they have in their homes and switch to cleaner, greener, safer products from The Wellness Club. 

You will be serving families as they improve their overall well-being and income too. Learn more here.  

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.

The Mind Diet: Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay Boost Brain Health Reduce the Risk Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementia

The MIND diet is a way of eating designed to boost brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Its name comes from Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, because it combines two well-studied diets:

• Mediterranean diet – emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil.

• DASH diet – designed to lower blood pressure, rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and low in salt and processed foods.

The MIND diet takes the brain-protective elements of both and focuses on foods linked specifically to slower cognitive decline.

Core Principles

It encourages 10 “brain-healthy” food groups and limits 5 “unhealthy” groups.

Eat often:

1. Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, etc.) – at least 6 servings/week

2. Other vegetables – at least 1 serving/day

3. Berries (especially blueberries, strawberries) – at least 2 servings/week

4. Nuts – 5 servings/week

5. Olive oil – primary cooking oil

6. Whole grains – 3 servings/day

7. Fish – 1 serving/week (fatty fish preferred)

8. Beans – at least 4 servings/week

9. Poultry – 2 servings/week

10. Wine – 1 glass/day (optional; red is common, but not required)

Limit:

• Butter/margarine – less than 1 tablespoon/day

• Cheese – less than 1 serving/week

• Red meat – less than 4 servings/week

• Fried/fast food – less than 1 serving/week

• Pastries/sweets – less than 5 servings/week

Benefits

• Linked in studies to slower memory decline and lower Alzheimer’s risk

• Supports overall heart health (which benefits the brain)

• Focuses on nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods

MIND Diet Food Guide

Brain-Healthy Foods to Enjoy

Food Group	Goal (Per Week/Day)	Examples (Canada)
Green Leafy Vegetables	6+ servings per week	Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, bok choy, romaine lettuce
Other Vegetables	1+ serving per day	Carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes
Berries	2+ servings per week	Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
Nuts	5 servings per week	Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews
Olive Oil	Use as primary oil	Extra virgin olive oil for cooking & dressing
Whole Grains	3+ servings per day	Brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole wheat bread, barley
Fish	1+ serving per week	Salmon, sardines, trout, mackerel, herring
Beans	4+ servings per week	Lentils, chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans
Poultry	2+ servings per week	Chicken breast, turkey
Wine (optional)	1 glass per day	Red or white wine (optional; drink responsibly)

Foods to Limit

Food Group	Limit	Examples
Butter/Margarine	< 1 tablespoon per day	Butter on toast, margarine in baking
Cheese	< 1 serving per week	Cheddar, mozzarella, processed cheese
Red Meat	< 4 servings per week	Beef, pork, lamb
Fried/Fast Food	< 1 serving per week	French fries, fried chicken, takeout burgers
Pastries/Sweets	< 5 servings per week	Cakes, cookies, doughnuts, candy

Serving Size Examples

• Vegetables: 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked

• Berries: ½ cup fresh or frozen

• Nuts: 1 small handful (about 1 oz or 28 grams)

• Whole grains: ½ cup cooked (rice, oats, quinoa) or 1 slice bread

• Fish: 3-4 oz cooked portion

• Beans: ½ cup cooked

• Poultry: 3-4 oz cooked portion

• Cheese: 1 oz (about the size of 4 dice)

• Pastries/Sweets: 1 small piece or serving

Tips for Success

• Use olive oil instead of butter or margarine for cooking and salad dressings.

• Snack on nuts and berries instead of chips or candy.

• Plan 1-2 fish meals per week with fatty fish like salmon or mackerel.

• Fill half your plate with vegetables at meals.

• Choose whole grain breads, cereals, and pasta instead of white or refined.

• If you drink alcohol, enjoy one glass of wine with dinner occasionally.

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.