Christmas is right around the corner. You know it is, don’t run to the calendar to check. Sure, you’re still eating leftover Halloween candy and haven’t even begun your Christmas shopping, but it’s coming, ready or not.
As if the presents, parties, and excess food consumption weren’t enough fun, there’s something else wonderful that happens this time of year. People give to others. Not just gifts to family and friends, we give to people we don’t even know, to those less fortunate than ourselves. We send a little extra money to our favorite charity, drop off items at the food bank, or sponsor a child or a family in need. And when we do this, it feels good.
Why do we feel warm and happy when we give? Research suggests there may be a biochemical process responsible for those blissful feelings that occur when we do something good for others. The mesolimbic system of the brain becomes involved, and this is the same system that is associated with the rewarding effects of food and sex. So, aside from making the world a better place when we practice generosity, we’re also giving ourselves a mental treat, something Santa is not likely to bring us.
What an interesting concept to consider! Helping others can give us that same fuzzy glow we get from having sex. Hmmm, are you thinking what I’m thinking? We should cut down on our bedroom activities and just concentrate on doing good deeds this holiday season? No, absolutely not! Should we increase our snogging and lend a hand to others, to double those warm, joyful sensations? Yes!
Rachael, the disgruntled heroine in my story When Irish Eyes Are Evil, has to save herself from a nasty creature who means her harm. In the process, she helps someone else and is pleasantly surprised at the outcome of the whole adventure. Check it out at http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1378
Remember to lend a hand to those less fortunate this year, and when you do, don’t be surprised if you have the urge to grab your honey and spend a little extra time under the mistletoe.
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Naomi lives in beautiful sunny Florida with the love of her life and a magical black cat. She writes for various fiction and non-fiction markets, but finds she is drawn to erotic romance because her characters insist on canoodling, and sometimes even falling madly in love. So she lets them. Occasionally, however, they go to dark and strange places. She lets them do this also. Most of her stories will surprise readers with unexpected twists and turns, because isn’t that what makes life exciting?
Her interests include dancing, hula-hooping, drumming, and creating healthy meals. She takes the opportunity to play, have fun, and indulge in the pursuit of passion whenever possible. She hopes you enjoy her stories and would love to hear from you at naomibellina(at)live(dot)com. Visit her website at www.naomibellina.com and join her on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/naomibellina
Her motto: Never pass up the opportunity to have an adventure!
Also – here’s Naomi’s own evil version of her book cover!