What we do matters.

Trending Positive

“When carbon atoms are arranged in a specific way, they make a diamond, but the diamond is not in each carbon atom. In the same way each of our roles in mindfully engaging life can create a much larger social effect that is greater than each of us alone, having a significant influence on shaping our culture for years to come and providing enormous healing.”

Nicholas Christakis, M.D. Ph.D. & James Fowler, Ph.D. (The Now Effect)

I had a conversation yesterday with my friend, Harry, about the futility some of us feel in the face of global change. He showed me a reading from the Science of Mind magazine that said what we do matters even though we feel that it doesn't. In researching that, I ran across an article on the Huffpost website from 2012, The Blog by Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. titled, “The Science Behind Why What We Do Matters.” Right down my alley!

Goldstein reported the research of Christakis and Fowler about neuroplasticity—or the pliable nature of the brain. In their research, they found that many conditions that we don't normally think of as contagious, are indeed, catching. “How we pay attention, and what we pay attention to influences the way our brain grows throughout the lifespan.” They found, for instance, that conditions such as obesity, loneliness, and having people in your life who feel well are contagious—sometimes as much as by a factor of 9.

What we do, how we think is energetic in nature, as is everything. We generate energy that is shared by those around us. Dwelling on negative thoughts, and immersing oneself in controversy and argumentativeness, is hazardous to our mental and physical health, not only on a personal basis, but on a societal basis. Mean-spiritedness is contagious! Which is why we see a global trend toward being mean-spirited. The good news is, we can help to change it by changing the way we think and speak—by paying attention to what is right in the world, rather than what is wrong. Individually, we affect the people around us, and they affect the people around them and it spreads to a wider and wider circle. So it does matter what you do, and what you say and what you are invested in. You matter. And, so do I. Let's do our part to create waves of positive energy on this small piece of the planet. We might even start a trend!

                                                 In the Spirit,

                                                     Jane