Our New Addition

We've been contiplating getting a kitten for awhile now as a family pet. We got a call from my Mother-in-law today letting us know that a family was giving away kittens in front of a local grocery store today. We jumped at the chance! Here is our new 2 month old addition, we've been calling him "Julius"--as he is a nice orange and cream color. (I figure orange frappachino wouldn't quite fit... LOL) He's taken a liking to Jeremy's bed & stuffed animal (as you can see!)

My Son is 20 today....

Joshua & his girlfriend Kelsey (at her high school graduation this year)

Where did time go? I am taking a walk down memory lane, as my son Joshua turns 20. Can't believe its been 20 years since I gave birth to my first born son. I rejoice in this day-- he is going to do something wonderful with his life, as I continue to pray for him (and all my children) that the Lord gives him guidance, wisdom & showers down blessings into his life today & always.

Happy Birthday Joshua!!!!! I love you lots! :)

::The Donkey::

Ive heard this little story a few times this year. It is a constant reminder & inspiration to me that even though life throws us "dirt"-- we need to shake it off & step up in faith! :)

Enjoy! :) :)


One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway;

It just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well.

He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well an d happily trotted off! Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.Expect less.
When life gives you lemons... make lemonade! :)

Amazing Grace

This is printed on the bottle of Philosophy's Amazing Grace 3 in one Shower gel, shampoo & bubble bath that I purchased. I not only heard that the product line is wonderful... I really liked the message on the bottle as well. :)

"How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. And, so it is with life, which for many of us, becomes one gigantic test, followed by one gigantic lesson. In the end, it all comes down to one word, grace. It's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light".

Change Your Expectations :)

It is a beautiful, sunny day here in the Northwest. I love reading the daily devotions from "Your Best Life Now For Moms" by Joel Osteen. Todays devotional talks about Changing Expectations.

It talks about having a vision for victory in our lives. This applies to anyone. Its a psychological fact as well as a spiritual one-- that we move towards what we see in our minds. Your life will follow your expectations. What you receive is connected to what you believe.

If you think positive thoughts, your life will follow in that direction. But, if you dwell on the negative, it has the same effect. I believe that the mind and body connection is awesome. Change your life, just by changing your thinking pattern. I personally reflect on biblical principles and scripture, but if you aren't a Christian-- I do believe strongly that changing mind set/thinking patterns will work for you as well. :)

I've personally made it a choice to think positive, expect the best & have a vision of moving forward. When I do, so many good blessings come my way and overtake me. My husband & I have lost count of how many blessings we have received in the past. A brand new house included! People tell us that we are lucky, but I am prompt to correct them... No, we are just blessed (to be a blessing, of course.) :) :)

I've learned to be quick to change what I call my "stinkin' thinkin" of negative thoughts into more positive ones & the world seems to get a lot more brighter! :) :)

Mad About Harry

I thought this was a good article. I found it while browsing on http://www.crosswalk.com/ & wanted to share. :) I thought this was a very nice perspective on the J.K. Rowling Books that are so popular.

Mad About Harry
Dr. James Emery White

The hype is over. It will be available for sale on July 21, 2007. People are already forming lines, camping out at stores, money in hand.

No, not for an iPhone. This doesn’t even take batteries.

They’re waiting for a book. A 784-page book.

The release of the seventh and final installment in J.K. Rowling’s (rhymes with “bowling”) fantasy series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is poised to break publishing records by the score, not least of which is an unprecedented initial printing in the United States alone of over 12 million copies.

Let’s face it. People are mad about Harry.

Some more so than others.

The Harry Potter books, and subsequent movies, have divided Christians into two camps: those who see author J.K. Rowling’s work as dangerously occultic, and those who place the stories in the fantasy camp along with such writers as Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Those who put Harry in the “dangerous” camp are concerned about the use of magic and the presence of certain "dark" themes and even violence. They have dismissed them as being blatantly occultic, and have forbid their children to read them. I was reminded of this anew when just a few weeks ago I released my annual “Summer Reading” list through this Update (Vol. 3, No. 11). My friend Rick Warren reprinted that Update, as he has others in the past, through his “Ministry Toolbox” email which is sent to over 400,000 pastors around the world.

I began to see a few “Google Alerts” come my way as a handful of bloggers began to write how Rick Warren was now endorsing Harry Potter through “contemplative advocate” (huh?) James Emery White (I always thought of myself as more of a cultural apologist). My reading list, of course, is not meant to endorse the content of the books, but to recommend the importance of reading the books. For example, the list also recommended reading one of the three main “atheist” apologetics released this year, such as Christopher Hitchens’ God Is Not Great. I am surprised a blogger or two, using the same reasoning, didn’t accuse me and Rick of endorsing atheism!

Granted, it wasn’t a firestorm. I’ve had much worse of late. But I stand by my recommendation to be familiar with Rowling’s works. This is a momentous occasion in popular culture. There have been few phenomena in modern history that have rivaled these books and the cottage industry of films, video games, and merchandise that have followed.
But beyond reading them for cultural literacy, are they also a cultural battle front?

I think not.

First, to think the books are evil and wrong and harmful – in and of themselves – is misguided. As Christian author Charles Colson, along with other Christian writers and thinkers such as Richard Mouw, Connie Neal, Alan Jacobs and Francis Bridger have noted, the magic used in the books is mechanical, not blatantly occultic. No more than the magical powers of Superman. It’s attempting to be fantasy, not reality. There is no contact with a supernatural, demonic world in the classical form of the occult.

In truth, they are simply morality tales, and the magic is used as a metaphor for power. The overarching theme is the fight between good and evil, and that evil is real, and must be resisted. The characters develop courage, loyalty, and the willingness toward self-sacrifice. In and of themselves, the Harry Potter books are best lumped with the fantasy works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, where wizards and witches and magical potions also abound, but in a fantasy framework where the author uses them to present good as good, and evil as evil. In fact, Rowlings’s appreciation for Lewis runs so deep that his writing was the primary reason for seven Potter books - she wanted to match the seven in the Narnia series.

Rowling herself is a professing Christian and member of the Church of Scotland, and while she doesn’t pretend the Harry Potter series are overtly Christian books, a Christian worldview is behind every page.

This does not mean that parents shouldn’t talk their children through the books – they should. As with any fantasy book – or film - you should make sure that your child is old enough to know the difference between fantasy and reality. Further, the Harry Potter books are not “kiddie” books. The later books in the series become increasingly mature (in the first book, he is eleven; by the seventh, he is seventeen). Parents should also make sure they help their children contrast the mechanical, fantasy magic in the books – and the fantasy magic in all fairy tales and children’s literature, from Snow White to Cinderella - with the real life witchcraft the Bible condemns, which encourages involvement with supernatural evil.

Yet the larger conversation can be more positive, for the Harry Potter books and films give every parent and child something to think about as Christians, such as the reality of good and evil, the critical importance of choices, and the nature of sacrificial love.

So I, for one, say pick up and read.

I know I am going to.

::Kids In Church::

KIDS IN CHURCH

3-year-old Reese: "Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One particular four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.' Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked. "He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then said, "Did God throw him back down?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enchanted by Miss Potter :)

I recently rented the DVD "Miss Potter" starring Renee' Zellweger & I found it to be very interesting. It is based on a true story-- on the life of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved Peter Rabbit stories that Ive adored since childhood.

Her life is just facinating to me-- as she loved nature & became involved in conservation. I thought Renee' Zellweger played the part of Beatrix beautifully. She made Beatrix's life and work truly come alive. :)

I loved the scenery of Hilltop Farm. Who knows-- maybe my husband Joel & I will travel to England one day??? (smiles) After all, in the imagination of Beatrix Potter-- anything is possible right???

The film website: http://www.visitmisspotter.com/the_film.html



Life and work of Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter was born on July 28th 1866 in London. A typical Victorian family, the Potters lived in a large house with several servants and Beatrix was educated at home under a sequence of governesses. Beatrix first visited the Lake District with her family in the summer of 1882 and she went on to spend many happy childhood holidays in the region.

She and her brother Bertram explored the woods and fields, caught and tamed wild animals and sketched and painted all they saw. It was here that she became friendly with the local vicar, Canon Rawnsley, one of the founder members of the National Trust, who was to be a great influence and lifelong friend.Beatrix’s very first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published by Frederick Warne & Co in 1902, costing just one shilling, and became one of the most famous books ever written.

More than 40 million copies of this book have been sold worldwide in more than 35 languages. Two more books followed in 1903 – The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and The Tailor of Gloucester and in 1905 with the money she made from her early books she made the Lake District her home and bought Hill Top Farm in the village of Near Sawrey.Managing Hill Top taught Beatrix much about farming and she began to extend her property in the Lake District.

A local solicitor William Heelis advised her on her property dealings and was later to become her husband. By the early 1930’s she had bought over 4000 acres of farmland with the money she had made from her 23 tales, many of which were inspired by and written in the Lake District.Most of her later life was devoted entirely to farming, Herdwick sheep being her passion, and on her death in 1943 she bequeathed all the farmland to the National Trust so that it should remain undeveloped and unspoilt forever. The National Trust continues to upkeep this farmland and works in partnership with local farmers, maintaining the unique dry-stone walls and footpaths and protecting the Lake District that Beatrix Potter so loved as a living, working landscape.

Hill Top Farm - Beatrix Potter’s first house and the inspiration for many of her books including The Tale of Samuel Whiskers and The Tale of Tom Kitten.

Beatrix Potter Gallery - fascinating exhibition on the life of Beatrix Potter with original book illustrations from the Tale of Tom Kitten and information about her life. Home to an exhibition of "behind the scenes" materials from the film.

Summer Fun at the Zoo :)

Noah having fun with brother Jeremy on the Carousel :)

Jeremy is looking as shaggy as the stuffed the Polar Bear (as Noah looks on)

Noah is easily amused by the Otters :)

We loved looking at the Penguin!

Noah searching for the Beluga Whale

The Tiger looks quite content in the shade on this warm Summer Day :)

Jeremy, Jennise & Kara hamming it up for the camera! :)

"Baby Beluga in the deep, blue sea... You swim so wild & you swim so free" :)

(In other words, Noah is excited to see his Beluga Whale!)

Long Day at University of Washington Medical Center

Yesterday, I accompanied my long time friends of 30 years, Jesse & his older brother Larry to attend Jesse's appointment for starting the process for Jesse's kidney transplant. We learned that Jesse, who has been on dialysis for 6 years-- would have a better chance with a living donor, because of his young age (He will be 34 this year) I was quite thankful to spend the day in an air conditioned building--as the temperature in the Seattle area climbed to a record 97 degrees.

Since Jesse and I have the same blood type-- I am considering being a living donor. I knew right away that I wouldn't totally feel at peace in my heart without at least trying to find out. Friends mean alot to me & I want to do my part. His brother, Larry will also be going through the process with me to see if one of us could potentially be a living donor for Jesse. We learned that the process will take about 6 months.

I've discussed this with my husband, Joel -- I know that he is protective of me & of course, has his concerns. Im sure if the roles were reversed that I would be feeling the same way. For now, Joel and I have both agreed that it would be good for us to have medical insurance in place--as I will need to see my doctor for the initial visits. All other medical expenses will be paid by the transplant recipient from the 3-4 day hospital stay to the surgical procedure itself & aftercare.

I am pretty impressed with UWMC-- as my Mother-in-law had a successful liver transplant back in 2005 & is doing really well since then. :)

Here is some information that I found out regarding being a living donor:

Living Kidney Donor Program

Kidney donation is a gift of life for a person on the transplant waiting list.
Kidney transplantation in the United States began in 1954 with a transplant between identical twins. In 1968, Washington state’s first kidney transplant took place at University of Washington Medical Center.

Today, UW Medical Center’s Living Donor Program helps find and evaluate potential living kidney donors for people listed on the medical center’s transplant waiting list.

Becoming a living kidney donor

The Living Donor Program at UW Medical Center evaluates related donors and unrelated donors. A living related donor (LRD) is a blood relative who would like to donate one of their kidneys to a family member. A living unrelated donor (LURD) is a spouse, friend, or co-worker who would like to donate a kidney to a potential recipient. LURD donations also come from people who become altruistic donors through the Non-Directed Altruistic Donor Program.

Kidney donations are successful for both parties involved

Living donor transplants can provide recipients with an excellent quality of life for years! Success rates for LRD kidney donations in the first five years after transplant exceed 95 percent. Completely matched living donor transplants between siblings often function well even 25 years after transplant. One-half of the transplants from half-matched family donors or from living unrelated donors are functioning well 15 years after transplant, which compares to deceased-donor kidneys still working 10 to 13 years after transplant.

What is laparoscopic donor nephrectomy surgery?

This is a surgical technique that provides a better alternative to conventional open surgery when donating a kidney.
A laparoscopic surgery is performed using a viewing tube – a tiny telescope called a laparoscope – to see inside the abdomen. The telescope and other instruments for the operation are introduced into the abdomen through several very small incisions. A space is created inside the donor’s abdomen with carbon dioxide to allow the surgeon to see and move the instruments.

Why is laparoscopic surgery better than conventional surgery?

For the person donating a kidney, laparoscopic surgery means:
Fewer complications
Less post-operative pain
Less pain medication needed, and
A shorter recovery time for a faster return to normal activity or work.

When is open surgery a better option?

Sometimes, a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy might not be appropriate for some people, especially those potential donors who have had previous abdominal surgery or have unusual anatomy. Some potential kidney donors’ only option is an open nephrectomy surgery. The decision is based on the safety of the donor and successful retrieval of the kidney. The primary focus is donor safety.

Interested in becoming a living kidney donor?
If you have a patient who may be interested in becoming a living kidney donor, please contact the Living Donor Program by calling 206-598-3627.

Every potential living donor will be considered for an evaluation by the transplant team. It is very common for a donor recipient to have more than one family member or friend who would like to be evaluated as a potential living kidney donor.

Oh the Lazy Days of Summer!

The Northwest is really showing signs of Summer this week. It is really nice out-- a nice change of pace from the cooler and cloudy weather. Our weather is pretty unpredictable (my 17 year son calls it schizophrenic weather... LOL) I think we are ready--sort of, anyway.. LOL

We have fans going upstairs & downstairs in our townhome. The freshly painted interior walls are soothing (thanks to my step-son Josh & my son Jeremy who put hours in painting) Noah is ready to have some outdoor fun in his brand new Snapset pool. I love this time of the year-- I think the warm temps are testing me too (God willing--I would love to move to Texas in the near future. Joel & I would love to be mortgage free, so we can give more freely to others)

Yes-- it is true, we did actually *win* the money (Century 21 Home Run Derby) to purchase our townhome back in 2004-- but since then, we had to refinance to pay Uncle Sam the taxes on our home, plus we took out a little extra to pay off some bills as well.

We have plans this week to go boating with friends on Friday & take in a Mariners game on Saturday. Plus-- I am going down to Tacoma on Wednesday to attend a Transplant Workshop with a good friend of mine, who is currently on dialysis--as he is in need of a kidney transplant. I found out a few months back that we have the same blood type--AB positive.I wanted to see if I would be a potential match for him. It is in my heart to at least try and find out. And if not, at least I can say that I tried & that is what counts. :)

So---Bring on the iced tea, BBQ's & fun (and perhaps a stop at Starbucks for a fruity drink as well) LOL!

Now--Thats what memories are made of! :):) :)

::Billboard Sign::

I thought this was a good one-- 'cause as a parent, I can hear myself repeating the same exact words with my kids. And what do we want as Parents? The same thing that God does... for us all to get along, share, have peace & harmony in humanity.

Even as an adult, I can almost hear God rebuking me during the times when I mess up (and my family can testify that I do that alot) Hey, I am a woman... I do have my "fiesty' days when the hormonal imbalances within my body turn me into my own worst enemy.... but you know what? Isnt it good that God loves us all anyways???? Thank goodness for His Mercy & Grace.... or we all would be in a heap of trouble!

God Lives Under the Bed

I got this story from my aunt & it brought a tears to my eyes. I think we can learn a lot from people like Kevin & trust God.... with a child like faith :)

Enjoy! :)


GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, "Are you there, God?" he said. "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed..."I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor.

I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will.

He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.He does not seem dissatisfied.He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside."That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple.He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure. He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue. Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry.

He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion. In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap . I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

Street Corner Symphony

For some reason, I really like this song. It makes me feel energetic, joyful and my spirit seems to "perk" whenever I hear it.

It was a song that was running through my head as we walked down the streets of NYC... the city just seemed to have a song of its own. The lyrics of the song remind me of the people of NYC... quite a blend of all different nationalities, race, color, religion. :) This song also reminds me of hope restored since 9-11 and how people have pulled together since then.

Now, what a nice melting pot! :)

Rob Thomas
° Streetcorner Symphony °

It's morning
I wake up
The taste of summer sweetness on my mind
It's a clear day
In this city
Let's go dance under the street lights
All the people in this world
Let's come together
More than ever
I can feel it
Can you feel it

Come on over
Down to the corner
My sisters and my brothers of every different color
Can't you feel that sunshine
telling you to hold tight
Things will be alright
Try to find a better life

Come on over
Down to the corner
My sisters and my brothers there for one another
Come on over
Man I know you wanna let yourself go

Some people
It's a pity
They go all their lives and never know
How to love or to let love go
But it's alright now
We'll make it through this somehow
And we'll paint the perfect picture
All the colors of this world will run together more than ever

I can feel it
Can you feel it
We may never find our reason to shine
But here and now this is our time
And I may never find the meaning of life
But for this moment I am fine
So....

Brain Scans Reveal Why Meditation Works

I found this to be an interesting article as I love anything to do with Psychology and how the mind works. :)

I've personally used meditation in my daily life and found that calming words make a difference. On crazy days or in a situation that is overwhelming, I find myself saying these calming words (such as "I am calm, I am capable", "God is in control", etc)

Brain Scans Reveal Why Meditation Works
Melinda Wenner

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20070630/sc_livescience/brainscansrevealwhymeditationworks&printer=1;_ylt=AgErWNWbOlTl.TXTaUAwJKizvtEF

If you name your emotions, you can tame them, according to new research that suggests why meditation works.

Brain scans show that putting negative emotions into words calms the brain's emotion center. That could explain meditation’s purported emotional benefits, because people who meditate often label their negative emotions in an effort to “let them go.”

Psychologists have long believed that people who talk about their feelings have more control over them, but they don't know why it works.
UCLA psychologist Matthew Lieberman and his colleagues hooked 30 people up to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machines, which scan the brain to reveal which parts are active and inactive at any given moment.

They asked the subjects to look at pictures of male or female faces making emotional expressions. Below some of the photos was a choice of words describing the emotion—such as “angry” or “fearful”—or two possible names for the people in the pictures, one male name and one female name.

When presented with these choices, the subjects were asked to pick the most appropriate emotion or gender-appropriate name to fit the face they saw.
When the participants chose labels for the negative emotions, activity in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex region—an area associated with thinking in words about emotional experiences—became more active, whereas activity in the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotional processing, was calmed.

By contrast, when the subjects picked appropriate names for the faces, the brain scans revealed none of these changes—indicating that only emotional labeling makes a difference.
“In the same way you hit the brake when you’re driving when you see a yellow light, when you put feelings into words, you seem to be hitting the brakes on your emotional responses,” Lieberman said of his study, which is detailed in the current issue of Psychological Science.

In a second experiment, 27 of the same subjects completed questionnaires to determine how “mindful” they are.

Meditation and other “mindfulness” techniques are designed to help people pay more attention to their present emotions, thoughts and sensations without reacting strongly to them.
Meditators often acknowledge and name their negative emotions in order to “let them go.”

When the team compared brain scans from subjects who had more mindful dispositions to those from subjects who were less mindful, they found a stark difference—the mindful subjects experienced greater activation in the right ventrolateral prefrontral cortex and a greater calming effect in the amygdala after labeling their emotions.

“These findings may help explain the beneficial health effects of mindfulness meditation, and suggest, for the first time, an underlying reason why mindfulness meditation programs improve mood and health,” said David Creswell, a UCLA psychologist who led the second part of the study, which will be detailed in Psychosomatic Medicine.