I chuckle sometimes when I read studies that document what some might think is soooo obvious. It is nice to see though that science continues to document the beneficial impact of positive thoughts and intentions that ancient traditions and modern psychology discuss at length. This particular study on the benefits of good intentions is one of those studies. It seems like one of those “duh” moments. Of course good intentions make us healthier and happier.
Neuroscience continues to document how our positive thoughts, intentions and emotions are not only of benefit to our own body, mind and spirit, but also have significant impacts way beyond us, to be of benefit to all beings we encounter and thereby to all beings that are encountered by the beings we encounter and on and on. So simple, yet so challenging. As I wait to board a flight back east to see my patients and their humans, I get great joy by consciously thanking flight assistants at check-in, the security personnel, cashiers, etc. who are all just “doing their jobs”. They immediately smile as they feel recognized and acknowledged as a fellow living human being, not just an automaton. In reality, all of us, two-legged, four-legged, winged, domestic and wild, all we want is to be acknowledged and loved. It truly is as simple as that. If we have positive intentions and express them to everyone we encounter, we can and do indeed make a difference in the world, being by being, moment by moment. When I enter a horse barn or an animal hospital, I do my best to smile, (most of the time) even during more challenging personal moments in my life. That smile inevitably shifts to a more positive energy in the environment. Neuroscience is documenting how mirror neurons, mirroring others visual images of each other tend to reflect back to us often what we are reflecting to others. Once we realize this, it might seem sensible, that we can consciously choose, as often as possible, to have helpful, positive thoughts and good intentions. We truly are mirrors for each other. We can be like that dark mirror in the Harry Potter movies, or we can consciously choose moment by moment to have good intentions and be a positive mirror to the world. Good intentions stimulate good vibrations! So as the Beach Boys used to sing…”Good, Good Vibrations”, let us all have good intentions and good vibrations! Is this not what our animal friends stimulate in us and do for us when they whinny, purr, wag their tails, and show us their joy when they see us? Let us wag our tails, whinny and purr and bring joy and good intentions to others! Let’s support the findings of this study day by day.
http://mpm.umd.edu/Good%20Intentions%20SPPS%20In%20press.pdf