I am listening to Prof. Jason Satterfield's Great Course on mind-body medicine. It seems clear that positive emotions produce more health and enjoyment than negative ones. Bet that really surprises you, huh? Suppose I step on your toe on purpose but you see a blue bird. Stepping on your toe seemed intentional on my part and you aren't happy about such poor manners, deliberate insults, the pain, not to mention the damage I did to your shiny shoe. Still seeing a bluebird at this time of the year is definitely a gift and a special experience.
Sometimes, we can't let go of a negative experience, a deep worry, a bad sign. Sometimes, we can. We may be able to think about the blue bird, how lucky it was that we glanced out of the window just then, how we normally are deep in our work at that time of the afternoon. Where we put our attention, how long we have it on a particular target or subject, how we react to a fact, an occurrence, an event is often under our control. If we realize that we are still feeling down about the toe-stepping incident, we can consciously move our attention to something else. But if we get caught up in thoughts about the large number of times we have been treated poorly, we are into the negative story and may not even notice the possibility of thinking of something else.
Since I stepped on your toe, you may have to take steps. Charging me with assault in the civil or criminal courts may be called for. Sending a note to my mother complaining about my poor behavior may be more appropriate, not to mention cheaper. Moving your attention to your happy place doesn't have to mean that you are off in la-la land all the time. The point is that it may be possible to whack me a good one upside the head while being in the very best of moods. Some very great thinkers are admired by billions for tempered advice to offer the other shoe and that may be what you most want to do. Using your best thinking, that may be the best path to take but there is no reason to deprive yourself of a good mood throughout your thinking and subsequent action.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
