Yesterday I went to a lecture at UCSD by Dr. George Valliant, a Harvard psychiatrist who has been doing research on people for over 70 years. They have collected "massive data" on this large group of people on all aspects of health--psychological, spiritual, medical data, etc. His take home message during this very interesting lecture was about positive emotions(that was the title of his talk). He outlined clearly how little we talk about them. We focus on the negative emotions--anger, anxiety, depression, hate, jealousy. He suggests we focus more on positive emotions--
JOY, GRATITUDE, FAITH, FORGIVENESS, LOVE, HOPE, AWE and COMPASSION.
This was his message. This was his advice. He is a researcher. He is a scientist. He is brilliant.
This experience had a big effect on me. This man has been part of the most comprehensive, longitudinal study about health ever done(to read more about it, check out):
Successful Aging -- Vaillant and Mukamal 158 (6): 839 -- Am J Psychiatry
George E. Vaillant's: Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development
He did make many other points like the 7 factors predicting healthy aging:
(1) Education level
(2)Marital stability
(3)No smoking
(4)No alcohol abuse
(5)Exercise
(6)Healthy weight
(7)Mature adaptations(coping mechanisms)
BUT, his take home message for the audience was to focus on the positive emotions. He called these positive emotions the core of a true spirituality. He was not over-excited. He was clear and calm.
I read about him and his research this morning. Wow, what a study. What a life. So much knowledge and insight. I like what he recommended. I want to be part of bringing this message to the world.
JOY, GRATITUDE, FAITH, FORGIVENESS, LOVE, HOPE, AWE and COMPASSION.
This was his message. This was his advice. He is a researcher. He is a scientist. He is brilliant.
This experience had a big effect on me. This man has been part of the most comprehensive, longitudinal study about health ever done(to read more about it, check out):
Successful Aging -- Vaillant and Mukamal 158 (6): 839 -- Am J Psychiatry
George E. Vaillant's: Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development
He did make many other points like the 7 factors predicting healthy aging:
(1) Education level
(2)Marital stability
(3)No smoking
(4)No alcohol abuse
(5)Exercise
(6)Healthy weight
(7)Mature adaptations(coping mechanisms)
BUT, his take home message for the audience was to focus on the positive emotions. He called these positive emotions the core of a true spirituality. He was not over-excited. He was clear and calm.
I read about him and his research this morning. Wow, what a study. What a life. So much knowledge and insight. I like what he recommended. I want to be part of bringing this message to the world.
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