Kathryn, I meant to write just abut this: I love that crocus in the snow first image – I think it represents so much of what you’re talking about.

And then I also read the link Jeremy posted. It’s interesting. It’s exactly what Christine’s been talking about for the last year. 80-20. That Gladwell piece is interesting – it has a lot of information in it which is intriguing. There’s also a strange feeling after reading – I’m not quite sure. I wonder if you guys have it too. I didn’t get that from reading Gladwell’s earlier excerpt about the Beatles and Bill Gates, which I thought was really strong.

S.

On a separate note, someone just sent me an interesting article on adversity by Malcolm Gladwell, if you haven’t seen it . . . http://www.gladwell.com/2008/2008_11_10_a_adversity.html

Will chase the research and send to you to add into the comments.

I suspect you are on to something about the spa experience — that the deep relaxation makes new thoughts possible.

I associate spas with massage. I’ve noticed the few times I’ve treated myself to a massage that my spirits are amazingly high for a substantial period of time afterward. I think the word could be “contentment” – to pull in another one of Wayne’s favorite themes.

Kathryn

I liked your comment about upright posture. Straightening my spine when I notice I’m slumping is my favorite Baumeister self-regulation muscle builder. It’s so easy to do once I notice it.

Kathryn

Participants in the study viewed pictures of different emotional facial expressions and simultaneously had their brains scanned.

When viewing a negative emotion such as anger, their amygdala (the area of their brain associated with stress) increased in activity. Participants were then asked to name the emotion of each facial expression pictured (e.g. anger or fear) or alternatively choose a gender appropriate name that matched the face (e.g. Kate or Bill).

When the pictures were labeled with an emotion, the amygdala decreased in activity (less stress). There was no reduction in amygdala activity when a name was given to the picture.

Participants were then asked to complete a questionnaire on mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention to emotions without judgment or reacting. Those individuals with the highest levels of mindfulness also had the greatest reductions in amygdala activity when labeling the facial expression with an emotion.

Just to clarify – mindfulness is awareness of thinking without judgement.

As an aside you might be interested in this research showing how mindfulness enhances relationships http://www.personal.kent.edu/~dfresco/mindfulness/BT_Carson_MBRE.pdf

This study teaches meditation which is hard work for many people. I prefer to use the software as it is much easier than meditation – they seem to get results quicker.

As I keep mentioning in my PPND posts, I suspect that mindfulness is probably the most powerful PP intervention.

Also another tip on the technique – practice it with an upright posture. Research shows that people in an upright (as opposed to slumped) report more positive emotionality.

Hope this all adds to your comprehensive article

I work in the spa industry and your and Wayne’s thoughts about calming the mind remind me of where I think much of the value of a spa experience comes from. Spending some time separated from technology in a quiet place can give you the space necessary to let your mind solve problems. I find that thinking things through is a valuable exercise, but the good ideas don’t usually come during the thought session. They come later, when you are in a relaxed state, silent, and not “trying” to think.

What you’ve added to the equation (for me) is the importance of positive emotions in this process. I also agree with the other commenters that the bullet points are excellent, and I plan to forward this article far and wide.

Thank you for the flowers again.

I’ll have to think about your idea of carrying the theme of resilience through my articles. I usually feel pretty word-constrained getting across whatever I’ve chosen as the core idea. Maybe I need to get back to the image maps and do more theme-based articles to tie things together.

However I’m sure I’ll be thinking of your words the next time I start writing for PPND. So perhaps it will happen on its own.

Kathryn

I hadn’t made the connection to Appreciative Inquiry in my thinking — thanks! Yes, I think that honoring the times that we have navigated previous adversities is an important part of looking forward to whatever life brings next. The thought frequently passes through my mind: “Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards” (Job 5:7). But there are many different ways to respond to trouble, and the responses shape the people we become.

Kathryn

I also thought about the comment you made in our conversation that sometimes just putting a name on a negative feeling can reduce its power. Perhaps you’d like to add a comment to explain why that might be.

Kathryn