Oriental Maple

Thirty-five years ago I planted an oriental maple that, on the way to my front door, greets with lacy red foliage. Walking past, I am filled with gratitude. 

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Brain

A few weeks ago I wrote about how dopamine in the brain is stimulated to provide feelings of joy. One way to release it is to become a workaholic and act dishonestly to get money and further selfish interests. But, there are other, more positive, ways as well. Practices like generosity and gratitude also provide dopamine jolts.

Thanksgiving is a time we are reminded of why it is good to be alive. By joining with family and friends, shopping for Black Friday sales, and remembering the country’s Pilgrim heritage, we flush our brains with serotonin and bring out feelings of well-being. We are all immigrants to this land–even First Nations.

By thinking positive, grateful thoughts, the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain linked to learning and decision making, is stimulated. We feel good and even better when our thoughts are expressed verbally. We become healthier and happier and more likely to spread positivity to those we work, live, and play with.

Since retail stores are having Black Friday sales weeks before the Friday after Thanksgiving, I don’t see why we can’t make New Year’s resolutions months before January 1st. Resolving to start practicing gratitude will lead to greater emotional intelligence. It will strengthen your brain’s neural circuitry so it is easier to notice the beauty of the land, water, and sky. It will help you appreciate the many people who are good.

I am grateful for my family, friends, the trees, rock formations, and starry nights. I love thunderstorms and pouring rain that is over as fast as it starts. I am happy to be alive, to have a partner I love, and am able to spend my retirement years writing and painting. . . and so much more.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Marilynne

Please share what you are grateful for below

Oriental Maple is one of thirty paintings made during the pandemic. You can see them on my art website, www. eichingerfineart.com under COVID series.

Reverences:

Wong, K. & Brown,J. (2017) How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain. Berkely Ed. retrieved from Berkely

Lechner, T. (2019) The Neuroscience Behind Gratitude” How Does Cultivating Appreciation Affect your Brain. Chopra. retrieved from Gratitude.