I am thrilled that there is increasing scientific evidence that doing what you love is good for you.
Here's a passage from the book "The Passion Test" by Janet and Chris Attwood. (Great book - I highly recommend it!) They cite some research from two neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Spirituality and the Mind. Check this out:
"The brain is very happy when you're focused on what you love. The more you focus on what you truly love and desire, the volume gets turned down in those parts of the limbic system where the destructive emotions of fear, anger, depression, and anxiety are controlled. This allows you to think more clearly.
You can also turn up the volume in other parts of the limbic system that generate positive emotions. When this happens, you get a release of dopamine, endorphins, and a wide variety of stress-inducing hormones and neurotransmitters. The more you focus on what you truly love, the healthier you are likely to be, and the more you will feel the positive effects of those stress-inducing neurochemicals in your body and mind.
You actually get kind of a double whammy. You can have a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions when you align yourself with what you believe is important to you."
How cool is that?!? I always knew that intuitively and it's awesome when science confirms intangible or ancient wisdom.
So it pays dividends to get crystal about the things you truly love most and make those things a priority in your day, every day. In my ideal world, everyone knows what they love most and they follow their joy without exception, trusting that the practicalities of life like paying bills and supporting their family actually gets easier the happier they are inside.
Can you imagine what kind of world we would live in if everyone did that?? Idealistic? Perhaps. Nonetheless, I absolutely hold that vision, and I know that I must first be the change if that's the kind of world I want to experience.
Here's a passage from the book "The Passion Test" by Janet and Chris Attwood. (Great book - I highly recommend it!) They cite some research from two neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Spirituality and the Mind. Check this out:
"The brain is very happy when you're focused on what you love. The more you focus on what you truly love and desire, the volume gets turned down in those parts of the limbic system where the destructive emotions of fear, anger, depression, and anxiety are controlled. This allows you to think more clearly.
You can also turn up the volume in other parts of the limbic system that generate positive emotions. When this happens, you get a release of dopamine, endorphins, and a wide variety of stress-inducing hormones and neurotransmitters. The more you focus on what you truly love, the healthier you are likely to be, and the more you will feel the positive effects of those stress-inducing neurochemicals in your body and mind.
You actually get kind of a double whammy. You can have a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions when you align yourself with what you believe is important to you."
How cool is that?!? I always knew that intuitively and it's awesome when science confirms intangible or ancient wisdom.
So it pays dividends to get crystal about the things you truly love most and make those things a priority in your day, every day. In my ideal world, everyone knows what they love most and they follow their joy without exception, trusting that the practicalities of life like paying bills and supporting their family actually gets easier the happier they are inside.
Can you imagine what kind of world we would live in if everyone did that?? Idealistic? Perhaps. Nonetheless, I absolutely hold that vision, and I know that I must first be the change if that's the kind of world I want to experience.
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