Our lifestyle choices can make a huge difference in our longevity, vitality, and whether or not we might be vulnerable through our daily routines. The epigenome represents the many choices people make to either support the expression of a given genetic trait, or, to inhibit that same gene’s expression. We also have the ability to support each person’s selective manifestation of their genetic imprint, through the Epigenome. Scientifically, we have the knowledge base to support each person’s exploration of their personal genome, and, help them understand their risk factors for certain health conditions like obesity or heart disease, even Alzheimer’s. Some people are particularly interested in specific dietary or whether a genetic link to a disease or condition might be forecast. Our genome can now be read and is readily available for those willing to plop down a few dollars to see what their risk factors might look like, or whether they might be able to trace their family’s history back to an important time. The increase in childhood obesity in America, pattern of youth sports participants specializing at younger and younger ages – only to drop out at 14 years, and, less emphasis on the epigenome is a concern. Then there is the reduction of young people exercising, playing outdoors, and the increasing influence of Smartphones on how we engage socially, physically, and in sport.
By making good nutrition, and solid food choices less available, we’re altering our long-term physiological health. Many are concerned over our increased exposure to processed foods, GMOs and the deteriorating nutritional choices we have in our culture. Our exposure to natural environments is dwindling in favor of YouTube and Netflix, and, the threat to our amazing National Park system and National Monuments is palpable. That doesn’t necessarily mean that is a good thing. In this day of instant everything, delivery services for food, and whatever Amazon can bring to us, the world is at our fingertips. More joy requires us to focus on more positive people, and a more positive psychological outlook, even an attitude of gratitude.īetter health is an equally tall order. There may be much, much, more to what we’re observing, but it is worth noting, that these things vary significantly. As we shine the light of our consciousness on our environment and the people we surround ourselves with, we generally find what we’re focusing on.
Thought discipline in these circumstances may call for specific techniques like the “Pepsi Center Flush” or “Thought Pattern Interrupt” or other thought stopping methods.įinally, I believe that we tend to find what we’re looking for. Not just through some airy-fairy idea, but through exercising thought discipline better enabling us to emphasize some things and reduce the focus we might have on the negatives in our mind. The work in this area supports our abilities to develop and nurture More Joy in our lives.
There is inherent optimism in these two approaches, and if one considers Albert Bandura’s promotion of employing a “Positive Self-Expectation”, then we are beginning to get traction on what might just seem like a feel-good idea.įinally, we must add the more recent work on Mindfulness. (“Productive thinking”.) Finally, she encourages us to consider and be consciously aware of all the “Possibilities” we might just be able to create. Vealy is adamant that we must be fully aware in the NOW moment of exactly what we’re trying to make happen, and, how we’re doing that…. P3Thinking requires us to choose a sense of our “Purpose.” Why are we doing what we’re doing? She also requires that this choice must be conscious. Think Mind/Body/Now.Īnother avenue toward achieving more Joy, can be found in Robin Vealy’s work on P3 Thinking. In order for us to make a conscious choice, our mind and our body must both be present in the NOW MOMENT.
And, our willingness to make that a “Conscious’ Choice”. Of course, like everything else, it begins with a choice. Carol Dweck speaks to our developing a growth mindset and provides lots of suggestions on ‘how’ we might need to think differently in order to achieve that.