Anyone who has followed my work knows that gratitude is one of the foundations of a brain healthy life.
Today was one of the most amazing days of my life and I just had to share with you how grateful I am for it.
I am at the start of a 2 week, 9 city tour for my show on public television. The show Magnificent Mind At Any Age has been great fun. Everywhere I go people recognize me and tell me how my work has changed their life.
Today I am in NYC. The day started with nearly a foot of snow on the ground. It was very cold but oh so beautiful. I had an early morning meeting with world class researchers at NYU on using brain imaging in clinical practice and ways to research how its use could be more effective.
I met one researcher, Sandy, who I immediately felt a kindrfed spirit. He is a fellow psychiatrist who used his ingenuitely and interest in brain imaging to help bring people out of comas. His creative thinking brought joy to my soul. There are not many people like Sandy that I have met.
I then talked to colleagues about launching a global initiative called Creating A Brain Healthy World, with many facets to benefit people at each age of life.
Then spent the evening at WNET and WLIW studios for the new show with truly wonderful people.
There are so many people working to make the world a better place. I am grateful for them all.
When I think of all these wonderful connections I feel a sense of love and gratitude in my heart.
Of course, it is easy to think about all the stress in the world, and that would make me sick, because where we bring our attention determines how we feel.
Focus on what you love about your life and you will be more likely to love your life.
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9 Comments
Well said. I am convinced that keeping a “Thank You” journal has changed my brain for the better.
Thank you! I’m grateful for any day that I learn new concepts from you. Will you be in the Philadelphia area during your tour?
Dr. Amen, I am a fan of your work and refer to it in my presentations on supporting the gifts of the AD/HD child. I also use gratitude exercises with my young clients as a way to “flex” the AD/HD brain and grow its capabilities. Glad to see it referred to here in your blog post.
Great ideas, let’s give the world fish oils and maybe then we will have peace, you think? I think so!
Love/Blessings and Grattitude,
Randy McArthur
Dr.Amen, I saw your PBS special a few weeks ago in the Savannah area, and after reading your books and newsletters, it was great to see you in your special. I read “Change Your Brain” when it first came out, it was very helpful to me, I am thankful for what you have shared with all of us. God bless you, and continued success!
Oops! Doc, I see that you do talk about pheronomes…silly me!
This may come as a surprise, but sometimes I get impulsive. Ah Well…C’est la vie
Dr.Amen,
I recently learned of your research, and thrilled you captured the positive effects of gratitude on the brain. I created personalized gratitude journals for kids and adults (www.startwithgratitude.com). I would love to use your research study as a tool with the school systems. Where would I find your summation… on your website or in one of your books?
Peace and gratitude,
Diane
Dr. Amen, I’ve seen you on PBS several times but just last week March 14th or 15th I really got it…I ordered some of your books and just kept reading…I’ve read many books on ADHD when my family was diagnosed with it..but your books opened new doors for me..Some of what I read is frustrating..I feel like I’m hitting brick walls when I talk to professionials about what you’ve written to help with the different types of ADHD…I have over focused…just learned that last weekend..my grandaughter has ADD combined type..it’s been diagnosed 5 times in the last 2 years but she isn’t being treated for it…she is now in a residential program in Connecticut and everytime there is a status meeting for her more people are added to find out how to help her…NO ONE LISTENS to what I’ve suggested..she can’t exercise..because she hasn’t earned that level yet..she’s allowed to eat donuts, cakes, twinkies all day long if she wants..she screams at the house staff telling them that she doesnt understand what they are talking about when they tell her to do things to move up levels in her program..so reading ways to help her with and without medications for ADD is frustrating..She’s on Depokote and Abilify and she has the side effects of behaviors that they are trying to stop..ODD..they just keep increasing her medications to make her stop fighting…thank you for writing the books..you’ve opened doors for my other grandchildren that I have custody of.
My 25 yr old daughter has been on four BIG medications for over 5 years now and I believe that she is experiencing brain disfunction as a result. Coupled with too much alcohol her prescription drugs for OCD, Lexapro, Asthma and Allergy treatments of Singulair and Allegra D, and Celebrex for her headaches, are causing her extreme physiological stress. She is convinced that she must have these medications in order to function but her functioning is decreasing before my very eyes. She stopped alcohol 6 months ago, which is good, and she doesn’t do any illegal drugs, but her situation is still very serious. None of these drugs should be prescribed for so long. She won’t discuss this with her doctor because she is afraid of having the various symptoms even though she has never been completely symptom-free even while taking these medications. I don’t know how to help her and Dr. Amen’s presentations have served to confirm my worst fears about the continual use of these medications.