I recently created a short post on our Mindbody Visions Facebook page with this picture accompanied by a quote from the esteemed Italian neuroscientist at U.C.L.A, Marco Iacoboni.  The excerpt that follows comes from his book, Mirroring People: The Science of Empathy and How We Connect With Other - ”Mirror neurons are brain cells that seem specialized in understanding our existential condition and our involvement with others. They show the we are not alone, but are biologically wired and evolutionarily designed to be deeply connected with one another.” Earlier and on the same page as this quote, he states: “Mirror neurons are the cells in our brain that make our experience, most made of interactions with other people, deeply meaningful.” Dr. Iacoboni is a learned scientist, researcher, and explorer who is advancing the field of neuroscience into new frontiers. Although it is no great shock to know that we, as humans, are inter-connected. It is deeply fascinating to understand on a biological level that our brains are wired to do so. We are talking about inter-connection hard-wired into our very DNA, rather than examining the issue from the philosophical, religious, political, spiritual, sociological, etc. perspectives. (Read more…)

This video is exemplary of Ken’s creative genius at work.  All of the wood art that is shown here has been designed and executed by Ken Horst, also known as the Woodwolff.   Just about three years ago, Ken worked primarily as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Holistic Health practitioner.  At that time, he synchronistically decided to take a workshop offered by William Kent Larkin, Ph.D. of the Applied NeuroScience Institute on reigniting one’s life passion. What began as a skeptical inquisitive glance into positive psychology, neuroscience, and quantum physics slowly transformed into an opportunity for an entirely avenue for self-expression. (Read more…)

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…)

Welcome to 2012!  Happy New Year to all and we have co-creatively entered the much discussed, written about, and hypothesized year.  The question before each of us is…How will we live?  Will we live in fear or in love?  In the Christian scriptures, there is a bold statement “love casts out fear”.  Moreover, it has been said that the two cannot co-exist simultaneously.  This translates to the belief that when one is grounded in love, his or her fear diminishes to the point of non-existence.  Love becomes enveloping! (Read more…)

Are you alive to your own creativity? If so, how are you expressing yourself in creative acts or actions? If not currently, what would it take to move yourself into a place or state of creativity? The image shown at the left of this text, is a wooden mask designed and executed by my husband, Ken, under his brand or pseudonym of Woodwolff. Ken is both a licensed Hypnotherapist and Holistic Health Practitioner who began experimenting with his artistic tendencies in the medium of wood somewhere close to two years ago. Prior to this, he had dabbled in a variety of creative endeavors throughout his life time, although never honing in on one that inflamed his creative passions. His great-Grandfather had been one of his early heroes as a craftsman with an extensive workshop in the back of his home. Ken has fond memories of long hours spent in the shop with his mentor observing a combination of his skill, patience, and willingness to engage in the “trial and error” process of learning. Out of respect and admiration for his great-Grandfather, Ken began collecting tools for his own use as a young boy. Amazingly, he retains some of them to this day and uses them on occasion. Within this parable, is an intersection of several key elements – creativity, mentors or heroes/heroines, application of strengths, and timing. (Read more…)

I recently completed a continuing education course for skills-building in Positive Psychology coaching utilizing a workbook devised by Robert Biswas-Diener, Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching: Assessment, Activities and Strategies for Success. I was reminded once again of the key component that strengths play in both positive psychology and positive psychology coaching. Mr. Biswas-Diener holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and founded Meridian Life Coaching, LLC. He travels world-wide both teaching and coaching utilizing Positive Psychology’s foundation in research and strengths for flourishing in life. (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…)

Each of us has the capacity to influence one another – either positively or negatively. We actually don’t even have to speak to do so. Have you ever been around a person who says little, if anything? Yet, their very presence has a strong impact on you. There are those who sulk around with a hidden anger that can be felt and which can insidiously ignite fear in others. The message projected is “stay away”. Likewise, there are quiet giants who emanate a peaceful, loving energy field that draws one near. A desire to linger close to such a person is issued forth from their very being. Although on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, neither has uttered a word and volumes have been spoken. Each individual person carries his or her own inner text shaped and formed by life experience. This is the truth for each of us! The manner in which we respond to what life throws at us creates the opportunity for choice….will it be negative or positive? (Read more…)

It snowed all day yesterday in Santa Fe and was a magnificent sight to behold! I watched the small birds flying around the feeders in our yard while landing briefly for a tiny morsel. I thought about their delicate size and wondered about the seemingly thin layer of feathers covering their tiny frame. How is it that they stay warm under such conditions? I wasn’t really looking for a scientific answer, merely intrigued by the wonder of the Universe and how these laws of nature work. On that same day, I reverently held the news of a young friend laying in an Intensive Care unit on a respirator. (Read more…)