Bringing Calmness to Any Situation

Bringing Calmness to Any Situation

By: Dr. Roger Landry, MD, MPH

Silence is a source of great strength.   ~Lao Tzu

In the Standford University publication, “Compassion’s Curative Power,” Emma Seppala, PhD and associate director of Stanford School of Medicine’s The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), shares that most of us are “wired for empathy,” and states: “Whenever we look at or interact with others, parts of our brain, ‘mirror neurons,’ internally echo what others do and feel. Someone’s smile, for example, activates the smile muscles in our faces, while a frown activates our frown muscles. In this way, we ‘read’ other people’s states of mind.”

One only has to turn on the news for five minutes to witness unrest, and how negative situations escalate when people’s emotions feed off one another.

As you go about the day, what do you bring to potentially challenging conversations? Are you the one who brings silent strength, calmness, and wisdom to the situation? Remaining calm and centered is a powerful force that benefits your well-being and those around you. Live Long. Live Well!