In our previous post, the focus was on mirroring love back to others.  This blog article will deal with the discovery of “mirror neurons” in the brain a little less than 20 years ago and its effect on how we inter-relate to one another.  As neuroscientists gained access to more advanced brain imaging technology, the study of the human brain has come a long way since the “decade of the brain” in the 1990′s.  The discovery of the “mirror neuron system” by a research group of Italian neuroscientists opened the door to the “science of empathy”.  Empathy deals with the experiencing as one’s own the feelings of another person.  The key factor that was uncovered about the “mirror neuron system” was the element of intentionality or acting with intention.  Amazingly, this aspect proved true even between humans and the monkeys being studied during this breakthrough in brain research. (Read more…)

As I started viewing digital images for this blog, I first selected the category of “touch” and found twenty-four pages with photos almost exclusively dedicated to our emerging world of finger pad devices, imaginative screen options, and people of all ages interacting with them.  I laughed inwardly at myself for my initial mislabeling the topic of this post, as well as “dating” myself by juxtaposing high-tech with high-touch. As I scrolled through the digital “touch” offerings, I found only a limited number of actual people touching one another. When I shifted my category to “hugging”, I did find what I was looking for – human to human contact. What happens in our brains (and bodies), when we actually make a physical connection through a direct face-to-face or touch connection? (Read more…)

After watching the movie, Secretariat, for the second time, I would have to resoundingly say “yes”. Even though I was moved during the first viewing of this film with a friend, the second time around had a much stronger impact on me. It does reflect on exactly where one is (mentally and emotionally) at the time of observation that can influence the outcome. Based on my response, I must have been in a more receptive state when I saw it the second time. Regardless, I have vivid recall of the scene when Secretariat is running in the Belmont Stakes and pulls forward at a faster interval than his established pattern of racing. He breaks free of the other horses and gallops at a pace that astonishes the entire crowd, most importantly, his owner. Secretariat dominates the track that day by a lead of 31 lengths to capture the U.S. Triple Crown. (Read more…)

Positivity being is on the rise! Have you happened to notice the increasing number of books, magazine articles, television interviews, YouTube videos, focused websites and public attention given to this topic? If positivity has not captured your interest yet, this blog articles is an attempt to do so. The intention is to move past the one dimensional “smiley” face view of putting on a happy face despite all odds to encompass the richness of adapting an entire lifestyle of positivity being. Increasingly, scientific research is being amassed cataloging the health and wellness benefits of changing one’s thoughts and feelings in the direction of greater positivity. Those individuals who view life from a consistent lens of positivity develop a greater capacity to flourish in the face of challenge. (Read more…)

Do you feel invisible or have you had the experience of being seen and heard? Do you feel that you are being listened to? Can you describe what that kind of experience does for you? Can you name the people in your life who do listen deeply and carefully to what you are saying? What is it like to be around those kind of people? Are you able to “show up” differently after an experience of being seen and heard?

In contrast, what effect does being ignored have upon you? What happens to your voice? Do you have the inclination to speak up and express yourself or not? Further, do you want to shout from the mountain top about your inner hopes & desires or do you quietly slink away into the shadows? Would you like to increase your sense of empowerment or personal power? Enter an ancient, simple tool – the talking stick. Hmmm, is it a talking stick or is it a listening stick…or both? (Read more…)