Could spreading good cheer, especially in uncertain times, be contagious? According to Brett Westcott, a junior from Plainfield, Ill. it is. His comrade Cameron Brown, a junior from Toledo, Ohio, does also believe it can help people to get in a better mood. This Summer together they kicked off their RV road trip on Monday (July 20) in the Big Easy tour ending August 7 in Rochester, N.Y..
It is a well know fact that people can have strong effects — both positive and negative — on one another’s mental health. Today a lot of negativism is infecting the world. It goes around as a wild virus in this crisis world. Nothing seems to be sure any more, and lots of people have lost trust in their government and even in their environment, not sure any more of the bond of friends. Ordered things have shown the tendency to become disordered sooner or later, however natural. The same applies to human behaviour, however genetic. A new study by a University of British Columbia researcher finds that some people are genetically predisposed to see the world darkly.
The study, published in Psychological Science, finds that a previously known gene variant can cause individuals to perceive emotional events–especially negative ones — more vividly than others.
“The ability to regulate emotions is essential to both mental and physical well-being. Conversely, difficulties with emotion regulation have been postulated as a core mechanism underlying mood and anxiety disorders.”
It is interesting to see that the human mind which is considered to be the most ordered and conscious system in the world is not left untouched by the negative effects of the environment. Negativity is all-pervasive, it seems. today it is possible to identify and distinguish between the different emotions which go through our brains. Negative emotions helps us address the problem that led to those emotions in the first place. But while some people can tell the difference between feeling angry and guilty, others may not be able to separate the two and may become depressed, feeling they can not cope with it any more.
People around us can contribute al lot to our mood; They can make us happy, sad or even make us depressed. Those who know the blessings of the world would do better to let others also feel the goodness of this world. They’ll better share their happiness and good mood. They better take care that the right virus contaminates their environment they’re living in. Jesus asked his follower to spread the Good News. But before people can spread that good news they themselves should feel good. They themselves should be radiant, full of sunshine. they should not be so much concerned about themselves, but should be willing to live more for the others around them. Noticing them and encouraging them. by giving compliments to others they can contribute the first step to more happiness.
When Westcott started giving compliments on the Purdue campus almost a year ago he never expected it to be so well received all over the world. Though lot of the compliments they gave where on material things that cost money. It looked a missed change to give compliments on the better and more important things in life, like having a smile on the face, feeling bright. An appropriate remark by environmentmatters was:
“I wonder how these compliments or lack of compliments affect people who can’t afford nice hoodies, shoes, bookbags, etc.?”
“the idea maybe great, but i guess randomly complimenting on any object they could see on a person may not be a good one..what if that person hates that object? they’ll be so offended that it’ll turn to be a mockery or an insult rather than a compliment.”
The trip was undertaken to allow the two guys to share the same good feelings with people around the country that they had exchanged at Purdue.
Westcott and/or Brown stood at the heart of Purdue’s campus for two hours every Wednesday afternoon last school year giving out free compliments to thousands of passersby. Initial suspicion of their motives quickly melted in face of their enthusiasm and earnestness. The Compliment Guys’ ability to make people smile prompted Kodak to sponsor the national tour.
“There is absolutely nothing else I prefer doing than making people smile,” Brown said. “It’s amazingly easy to do if you take the very short amount of time to notice what is special about those around you.”
People may forget that it does not take big, grand gestures to make a positive impact on someone else’s day. Being around, having some smile on the face, saying “Hello”, giving a few simple courtesies, they all can contribute to making a day better for the person we pass. In ourselves we do have the power to make the difference and for ourselves and for the others. The greeting on the streets may have already gone a long time, but why should we not take up such an attitude from the old days when the villages or towns where smaller? It is true in a city we could not say to every person we pas “Good morning”, but for sure there are enough people to whom we could say “Hello”, like the porter, the man in the tube or train station, the bus driver. to others we can show them we are feeling happy, so that out smile on our face can transform their face as well. In case more people would not mind to make an effort to go out there and prove that chivalry is not dead, the world could become a nicer place to live. Being gallant and respectful, should not be things out of date. They are traits that will never go out of date or out of style.
Be that person who will make life easier for the people around you.
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Read more about it: Purdue Compliment Guys hit the road for national tour
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Give joy to the world, keep smiling, keep giving love and Spread the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God.
Be a messenger of happiness, love and peace.
You too may be a Blogger for peace
and join a movement willing to bring others that brotherly love and peace.
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Of interest:
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