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The Science of Thanks Giving
Hugh Pickens writes "This is Americans' big week to give thanks. Now Russell McLendon writes that giving thanks can do wonders for the human brain according to researchers at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center where scientists have developed an easy way for people to do just that and, at the same time, contribute to a national research project and maybe also improve their lives. The project is part of a $5.6 million, three-year national effort called 'Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude,' funded by the John Templeton Foundation. The center has gone live with Thnx4.org, an interactive, shareable gratitude journal and has invited people in the campus community to take part in the Cal Gratitude Challenge by keeping a two-week online 'gratitude journal' and, if they choose, sharing their posts with others. Early research into the power of gratitude journals ended up proving that students who wrote down everything they were grateful for strengthened their overall resilience and became less vulnerable to everyday stresses and complaints like rashes and headaches, says Emiliana Simon-Thomas. 'Thnx4.org wanted to make this spiral notebook very accessible, and to make the research a little more specific than it has been historically,' says Simon-Thomas. Online, anyone can take part — and potentially reap the benefits. The Cal Gratitude Challenge opened November 1 and will remain open throughout November but the project has a three-year grant and participants will be able to maintain their journals for the duration and first results from the data are expected in January. 'We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we've received,' writes Robert Emmons as part of the project. 'This doesn't mean that life is perfect; it doesn't ignore complaints, burdens, and hassles. But when we look at life as a whole, gratitude encourages us to identify some amount of goodness in our life.'"
A few nice words can go a long way. Appreciation is important
for posts like this that give me tips on how to feel better about myself and my life. And for *anything* that reminds me of all I have to be grateful for, because I find it far too easy to forget.
'The Economy' is a giant Ponzi scheme whose most pitiable suckers are the youngest among us and the yet-unborn.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!!
I am thankful that being thankful makes me more thankful. Wait, could I get into an endless happy feedback loop?
I am feeling very grateful that I don't have such a myopic world-view that I believe that everyone participates in the same cultural festivals as I do.-- ~~~~
So people feel better about themselves when they say thanks? Perhaps this is part of the reason why so many religions have special prayers before / after meals.
Palm trees and 8
... you eat....
Every now and then Science stumbles across something that people who deal work in matters of the spirit have known for a long time.
When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
Give thanks that you're not subject to that same treatment?
We send a TON of food to other countries. What happens to it?
It sits and rots on the docks
It is hijacked locally and sold on the black market
It is hijacked by the state and sold on the world market
In other words, it falls victim to the very same people/systems that makes and keeps the people of those nations poor and hungry in the first at place. Corruption on a massive scale, violence and anarchy.
So GTF off your high horse because no matter how you look at it, it is almost a sure thing that America sends more food overseas than does your country
When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
to that
First, it's a painting. I know you probably have never been exposed to those before. They proceeded digital cameras and 3D cinema by many hundreds of years. You can find more in museums if you want to learn more about them.
Second, the mistreatment of the American Natives is a sad and terrible chapter in American History. But it is by no means unique to America and was mostly an expression of political policy rather than Christian ideology. They had the land and the politicians wanted it.
The saddest thing is that even today the American Natives are still mistreated by being completely subjugated to the Federal government in the sense that they have to rely on the Feds for everything. The ultimate expression of welfare state you might say.
Only recently have some tribes begun to regain their dignity and increase their standard of living by hosting casinos on their land...something the feds and local government fought against mightily. The arrangement with the Casino operators is not optimal, but each renegotiation results in better and better terms for the tribes as they become more business savvy. Of course, now the tribes have to deal with internal corruption to some degree, but...hey, welcome to the world.
When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
Where are you from? Because regardless of where that is, you have a history of doing the same thing if you you go back far enough.
When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
Is this only for Americans, because we Canadians -- from the TRUE Land of the Free & the REAL Home of the Brave -- had Thanksgiving in early October..?!
Michael
http://s1.sfgame.us/index.php?rec=58163
Agree with everything you say, but also recognise the vast bulk gets to where it is needed.
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
There's such a thing as the 'reader' (the human-kind, I mean),
or in a broader sense, the 'consumer' (not meant in its commer-
cial sense).
There's some indication that gripes, cynicism, irony, angst and
all the nefarious psychological categories you can think of that
come with them -- put down in bytes, ink, celluloid or on stage,
provide for greater literature and entertainment.
The cited study shows nothing material. All religions are designed to make the common man accept that they should be humble and accept their position in life, so the rich can stay rich. I've no idea if there is a creator spirit or god, and have no interest in worshipping one even if there was. The concept is repugnant to me. But I will tell you this for 100% sure: every religion is a man-made thing designed to benefit one social group above a majority. If you don't believe this to be the case, ask yourself why none of the major deist religions encourage solo worship, instead preferring to herd their flocks together.
I don't understand your point about people dumping on religion. Shouldn't you just humbly accept that's how things are going to be and get on with it? Gods don't like it when you start going around expressing unapproved opinions. Bow your head, son, and whisper a little prayer of thanks. You did say that'd make you a better person, didn't you?
I prefer to keep my head unbowed, so I can look around me and see what's going on. I think that's the best way to be. You may not find that to be a very humble opinion and it isn't. It's my opinion and it's just plain better that yours.
I'm grateful for people like Vi! Turduckenen-duckenen