Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! As the New Year arrives, we always exchange this greeting.

There are so many kinds of blessings. The blessing of a dependable husband who is warm and caring yet quietly carries the responsibilities of the family. The blessing of a wife who cooks delicious meals, manages the household wisely, and is full of affection. The blessing of children who do their own work without constant nagging, and even remember to give their parents spending money. The blessing of prosperity, where everything you touch turns out well and you earn as much as you hope. The blessing of good relationships—meeting people who become lifelong assets. And even the blessing of physical stamina—being able to sleep deeply and wake up refreshed no matter how hard you work. When you think about it one by one, the list of blessings seems endless.

But if we stop and think about the most fundamental blessing that allows us to truly enjoy all the others, there is really only one answer: the blessing of health. Even a life lacking nothing loses its color the moment health is lost. Yet we often damage our health little by little in order to make money, and then try to restore that health with the money we earned. Unfortunately, once health is lost, it does not return as easily as we might expect.

Happiness is like a flower that blooms from the tree of health. No matter how good the seed of a tree may be, without sufficient sunlight, water, wind, and nutrients, it cannot produce beautiful flowers or bear good fruit. Life is no different. Caring for our body and mind is the most essential foundation for a happy life.

The Bible teaches, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I would like to apply this principle directly to our own bodies. Our current state of health may be an honest reflection of how we have treated our bodies up to this point.

These days, most first-generation immigrants who have worked in the dry cleaning industry are seniors in their late 60s to early 80s. This is a time when health should not be taken for granted, but consciously cared for. More than ever, we need to devote our hearts and time to managing our health. With that in mind, I would like to humbly recommend three very basic things to practice in the New Year to protect your health.

First: Eat Well

Everyone eats every day, but what we eat makes a world of difference in how our bodies respond. On busy mornings, we should not simply gulp down a spoonful of rice in last night’s soup or settle hunger with a cup of coffee and a donut. At lunch, we should not rush through a bowl of rice with leftover side dishes while attending to customers, nor should we rely on fast food like hamburgers. And at dinner, we should not make up for a day of poor eating by loading up on salty and spicy foods late at night. We already know how much this kind of diet accelerates the breakdown of our health.

There is a saying, “Eat breakfast like a king.” It doesn’t mean eating a lot—it means eating the best. No matter how busy you are, I strongly encourage you to make eating well a priority.

With that in mind, I’d like to recommend a breakfast that is extremely easy and quick to prepare: the “Happiness Smoothie.” Buy frozen broccoli, mixed berries, almonds, honey, and bananas from Sam’s Club or Costco. Add boiled sweet potatoes and black soybeans prepared at home. Divide them into single-serving portions and freeze them. In the morning, simply add a little water and blend to make a thick smoothie. These ingredients help cleanse the blood, prevent adult diseases, slow aging, and protect your health. Best of all, it’s easy to keep up with every day. Please, start your mornings by eating well.

Second: Laugh Often

When this comes up, some people say, “There’s nothing to laugh about.” That’s not entirely wrong. The economy is slow to recover, bills arrive unfailingly every month, the amount of laundry customers bring in seems to be decreasing, and all expenses—including food costs—have skyrocketed. Given this reality, it’s hard to find reasons to laugh.

Still, I encourage you to laugh. Remaining gloomy damages not only the mind but the body as well. Fortunately, our brains respond to physical actions. Even if your heart doesn’t feel joyful, the simple act of laughing signals the brain that you are happy, triggering the release of powerful healing hormones. Laughing hard enough to make your stomach shake for about 15 seconds is enough for the brain to judge that your body is happy.

Endorphins have pain-relieving effects 100 times stronger than morphine, boost immunity, relieve fatigue, and strengthen resistance to disease. On the other hand, anger and depression trigger the release of adrenaline, which spreads toxins throughout the body. Recently, a substance called didorphin—said to be 4,000 times stronger than endorphins—has been discovered. It is released in large amounts when we laugh heartily or feel deep emotion, activating the immune system and helping the body fight cancer and other diseases.

I encourage you to laugh loudly for 15 seconds at a time—while showering, driving alone, or in any space where no one will interrupt you. Ten times a day is enough. Laughter costs nothing, yet it is the most powerful medicine.

Third: Exercise Diligently

The first thought may be, “I don’t have time.” But if you look carefully at your day, there is always some spare time—slow hours with few customers, or days when work ends a little earlier. Even without going to a gym, there are exercises you can do right inside your store or just outside the back door. Jump rope without a rope, or do push-ups while holding onto the counter. Some people say they started exercising because of back pain, but now, with increased strength, they can handle physically demanding work with ease. These small exercises protect your shoulders and joints and build lasting stamina. Do as much as you can, and do it consistently. These days, there are countless “YouTube instructors” on your phone who can help you build strength and get cardio workouts indoors.

The world today may look like a winter field. But beneath the surface, preparations for spring are already underway. Even if nothing seems to be changing on the outside, a new season is growing unseen. Today is an extension of yesterday, and tomorrow is an extension of today. Let us remember that doing our best in the precious “today” we are given is the surest way to live each moment happily.

3 John 1:2 – “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” According to this Scripture, I sincerely hope that 2026 will be a New Year in which, by God’s grace, you enjoy good health and see all that you hope for come to pass.

Happy New Year. To all readers of Korean Cleaners Monthly, I truly love you. Ha, ha, keep smiling!