On: Hope, Thought Management, and Conflict

My friend Stephanie West Allen, who has two really wonderful blogs (idealawg and Brains on Purpose) has just published a couple of really inttriguing blog entries.


The first, here, has to do with the meaning and uses of hope in medicine. The original article is by Dr. William Buchholz, who wrote from the very interesting perspective of looking at "hope" as if it were a drug to be administered by physicians; here's a short excerpt:

"HOPE should be given at the initial diagnosis of a potentially fatal disease, at any recurrence and when the disease is terminal. It should also be used when dealing with chronic "benign" diseases such as arthritis, diabetes and hypertension. It should be given whenever despair is anticipated... It is useful in relieving fear, pessimism, and a sense of vulnerability. It increases energy and courage in all individuals, resulting in greater likelihood of difficult goals being accomplished."


The other, here, is about "thought management" in dispute and conflict resolution. She makes the excellent and important point that we are able to shape our own realities (and our brains) by the choices we make about habitual ways of thinking. It can be very easy and very tempting to dwell on slights, to plan revenge, and to re-live painful encounters (trying to find a way to "win," next time!). But when we do that, we strengthen the brain pathways that support such thinking; and this can color our interactions with others, and our whole lives. A short excerpt:

"You definitely have control over the neuron paths you create inside your skull. What brain pathways have you been forging? Have you created paths that are bearish, bitchy, surly, sullen, frenzied, fierce, arbitrary, absolutist, wimpy, weak, stolid, stoic, considerate, compassionate? (You get the idea.) The thoughts you entertain, allow, and author are those that design your brain."


I recommend reading both entries, in full. Thanks, Stephanie!