Author: sushamak@verizon.net

You have run this race the same way over and over.  You get into your starting position; you hear the bang of the starter’s gun, your heart races with the rush of adrenaline.  You are already craving the reward: gratification of crossing the finish line, or better yet, the euphoria of a win!  That excitement causes you to engage in the same routine every time.  You hold your breath; you look up at the track ahead, impulsively raising your head.  You get off to a shaky start. 

The Habit Loop is a 3 step process (introduced in the January bulletin).
1) Cue: a trigger or signal.
2) Routine: a series of repetitive responses
3) Reward: an incentive or payback.

You have seen these come and go: New Year’s resolutions to create healthy habits and discard unhealthy ones.  Often these become efforts in futility.  If we understand how habits work we can get a grip on how to improve them.

Science of Positivity is bursting with great findings. “Feeling good drives optimal functioning” according to Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, UNC, Chapel Hill. The effects of positivity are non-linear, moving in an upward spiral to broaden our minds and build our resources.

World renowned researcher, Dr. Barbara Fredrickson talks about the scientific evidence of the value and power of resilience, in her book, ‘Positivity’.

Emotional Health:  After 9/11, a group of students (at University of Michigan) who had been given a Resiliency Scale prior to the crisis (that proved to be most opportune) were studied for their emotional responses after the national crisis. Those with a highly resilient personality style showed less depression. They were not emotionally indifferent either. In fact, they showed greater psychological growth: more optimism, tranquility and fulfillment!

How do you grow and tend Gratitude?

Continue reading “Grow Gratitude”