Reflection Revisited-when the mood strikes

What comes to mind when you say the word, Reflection? How about—“The return of light or sound waves from a surface,” or “An effect produced by an influence.” What do you see when you look around you? When you look in your mirror? What I see of myself is I am growing older but my attitude today seems to reflect this article that was published on the same day, November 5, 2010! So, let’s revisit this mood and moment.

Whether the word reflection refers to the physics of light and sound or digs deeper into your own personal musings and those around you, let’s see what we can discover. With this month’s lifeskill, Reflection, let’s take some time to learn how our surroundings and each of us influence our community and world. Let’s start with “when the mood strikes.”

You may ask “Why this topic?” Well, honesty is the best policy. I have been in a frustrating mood the last couple days and still was at the writing of this article. Although I will keep the reasons to myself, William Butler Yeats understood the writer’s dilemma very well with this hopeful axiom. “The creations of a great writer are little more than the moods and passions of his[her] own heart . . . and sent to walk the earth.”

So, I decided to take advantage and reflect upon “the mood.” The first thought to surface was, there is a difference between “the mood” and “the moment.” Often times we confuse them. Yes, any particular mood fills a moment in time. Yet, a mood I may find myself in doesn’t always accurately hint that “the moment” has arrived. Moods are driven by emotions sparked by just about anything—negative or positive. From just feeling tired one day, sneering glances from the sales clerk, to a day off from work, a thank you from a friend, or even a sumptuous piece of chocolate cake!

How do you know when it’s just a passing mood or a special “moment” to embrace that will influence your life, community, our nation? Mark Twain offered us this reflection: “Time cools, time clarifies; no mood can be maintained quite unaltered through the course of hours.” So, let’s all agree that with a little time, whatever mood we are in will change. Time even helps us more clearly separate “the mood” from “the moment.” The moment can then be more clearly seen for what it really is—something to gently let pass or invite into our lives and relationships.

No matter one’s political persuasion, our nation is also going through some difficult “moods.” Archibald MacLeish, American poet, playwright, and Librarian of Congress (1892-1982), left us with a reminder of earlier times. “The American mood, perhaps even the American character, has changed. There are few manifestations any longer of the old American self-assurance which so irritated Dickens. Instead, there is a sense of frustration so perceptible that even our politicians have attempted to exploit it.” Sounds like this would fit today as well.

No matter the challenges and difficulties, each day brings a new set of possibilities—as long as we know the difference between the mood and the moment with the actions we take. Pearl Buck gave us some sage advice. “Don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to earth.” Living each day with a clear understanding of our daily reality paired with possibilities helps us direct our moods and actions. Hopefully, each possibility mirrors our core values and life goals with each step. Honest, respectful inquiry and communication, with occasional apologies, need to also accompany each step for a more positive outcome.

So, whether you are having a conversation with yourself or that person next to you, here are some questions I asked myself to reflect upon. I encourage you to do the same—whether your mood is negative or positive. Don’t rush your responses. Take your time. Consider this exercise a journey of discovery as I did.

What mood is driving you today? How is the moment fueling your mood? And how is your mood fueling the moment? Where is it taking you? If you are traveling on a negative road, how can you change your mood right now to transform the moment? After responding to each question, I discovered on my own journey, that even when the situation doesn’t change, your outlook does.

In addition, since my own life experiences involved traveling a long, winding road back to health, my attitude or mood has had everything to do with my physical and emotional wellbeing throughout the years. At a November 2009 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in Orlando, Florida, researchers reported from a ten-year study that holds true today. “…people who have a positive attitude during stressful events are 22% less likely to have a fatal or nonfatal heart attack than those who have negative attitudes.” With this first set of studies of a large population, it “. . .shows that having positive feelings and positive attitudes during negative events may prevent first heart attacks,” says researcher Karina Davidson, PhD, Columbia University in New York. Davidson also reported that those who expressed negative emotions were more likely to have one.

This is just one example of how a positive or negative attitude or mood can impact health. Yet, we all know most illnesses result from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, behavioral, and psychosocial factors—not just one thing. So, no guilt trips here for an occasional rotten mood. We all have them. And we know many of us can be exposed to germs and not get sick. This is also true for any emotional, psychological stress, or trauma we may experience and still stay healthy.

As researchers continue to delve into the connection between attitude, stress, and illness, each one of us can choose to improve on our mood, no matter the circumstances. I know writing this article has helped change mine for the better. May you also, in the midst of your mood, discover your situation has also improved, along with your community and our world.