Healing the Hurt

Nuclear facility in France - photo by Tristan Nitot

          When a site has been contaminated due to heavy metals or radioactive waste, the most widely used remedy involves excavation, removal, and storage. Since available storage for tons of toxic material is limited, researchers have begun to look into phytoremediation. This method uses hyperaccumulators to clean up such contamination - plants that can absorb high concentrations of toxins into their leaves and stems. The plants are later harvested and incinerated; small amounts of ash can then be safely stored. Sunflowers have been useful in removing arsenic as well as radioactive isotopes. Basket willow has shown potential in extracting heavy metals like cadmium, zinc, and copper. Indian mustard can absorb lead, and water hyacinth can take up mercury. Rather than add further hurt to the environment, phytoremediation can help heal it.

          Anger is a normal reaction to a perceived injustice. Used as a positive motivating force with a calm mindset, it can create needed change. Yet instead of righting a wrong and creating the potential for reconciliation, anger often becomes an ongoing cycle of hatred, hurt and misery. To allow healing to begin, we must be aware of the toxic beliefs that perpetuate resentment. Here are some questions worth considering:

1) Is this actually an injustice, or simply a difference of opinion or way of doing things?

2) A surge of anger may leave us feeling briefly empowered, but is it covering a hidden fear that needs to be addressed?

3) Rage can seem like an efficient method to force change, yet doesn't it simply fuel animosity on both sides?

4) We may think our resentment will allow the other person to understand our hurt and pain, but wouldn't honest communication be a more effective approach?

5) A lack of forgiveness can appear to be a way to stand up for our rights and encourage self-respect; however, might self-compassion be a better choice if we're concerned about our well-being?          

For more information on forgiveness, see this post. 

Staying Grounded

Whooping cranes - photo by Jeff West

          In psychobiology, imprinting is a form of learning in which a very young animal fixes its attention on and thereafter follows another animal or object. While such a learning process can initially be valuable for survival, it can become problematic when it comes to recognizing an appropriate mate. In 1976, there were only about 100 whooping cranes left in the world. Conservationists thought they might save them from extinction if they could breed them in captivity and then reintroduce them into the wild. Their hopes relied on 'Tex,' a female crane hatched and hand-reared in the San Antonio Zoo. Unfortunately, Tex would have nothing to do with any of the male whooping cranes, because she had imprinted on her human caretakers. Only after crane expert George Archibald moved in and formed a bond with her did Tex lay her first egg. 

          Like the misguided crane, pride can cause us to take on a limited, confining identity that we get stuck defending. Rather than embrace self-awareness and self-acceptance, we attempt to create an illusion about who we are. As Thomas Merton explained, we "demand that others believe the lie we have made ourselves about ourselves." While this identity may manifest as arrogance with an air of superiority, it could make a more subtle appearance under the label of 'worse than.' In this case, we consider our struggles more difficult than those anyone else must face. Rather than taking on an identity forged by pride, we can release the need to be a certain way and become curious about our humanness. The Latin word from which 'humble' is derived is humilis, meaning 'on the ground.' Regardless of outward appearances, we all walk on the earth, not on water. On the inside, everyone wants to be loved, happy, safe and well. Through the practice of humility, we stay grounded and recognize our common humanity.

A Sticky Subject

Yellow garden spider - photo by Jill Spencer

          Researchers, supported by the National Science Foundation, have been studying the glue-like substance produced by orb-weaving spiders that make their webs sticky. The gummy material was found to be composed of entangled polymers, giving it a consistency that was both viscous and elastic. The substance is also water resistant; however, without humid conditions, it begins to lose its stickiness. Spiders apply drops to only the spiral threads of their web, leaving the spoke threads free of it. Orb-weavers have a nonstick coating on their legs that repels the polymers. When moving across the web, the spider touches it delicately, gripping the threads with a layer of hairs and claws on its feet. These weavers have evolved traits that keep them from becoming stuck in their own sticky trap.

          When it comes to giving freely - whether of time, attention or material resources - things can get sticky for most people. Jan Chozen Bays explained that although generosity lies within each of us, "it has been obscured by the inevitable wounds, duties, and worries of our busy lives." We may be self-absorbed with our own challenges, think we have nothing worthwhile to offer or fear to let go of what we have. Yet even a small, generous act can help reduce our fear and clinging. It allows us to remember our interconnection with the rest of the world. But perhaps the greatest consequence of generosity is that it helps us accept change. Our personal ability to let go will support us in adapting to the natural ebb and flow inherent in life.

For more information on generosity, see this post.

          

Wellspring of Well-Being

Rhesus monkey photo by Ed Jones

          Charles Darwin argued that "communities which included the greatest number of the most sympathetic members would flourish best." Are kindness and compassion natural responses rooted in biology? In 1964, The American Journal of Psychiatry published a study of altruistic behavior in rhesus monkeys. Researchers found that monkeys refused to pull a food delivery chain when they realized doing so caused a companion to receive an electric shock. Those who had been shocked previously were even less willing to pull the chain. The monkeys preferred to go hungry rather than inflict pain on each other.

          Emerging scientific studies seem to show that practicing kindness and compassion is an important factor in the well-being of humans. In a study led by Elizabeth Dunn and published in the journal Science, participants were given a sum of money. Half were asked to spend it on themselves, and the other half to spend it on others. The results of the research showed that those who spent money on others felt significantly happier than the group who spent it on themselves. Another study led by Lara Aknin across 136 countries found a similar outcome, regardless of a person's level of income or social support. UCLA medical researchers studying cellular inflammation discovered that it was not connected simply to one's level of happiness. Instead, participants whose happiness was based on a life of pleasure-seeking had high levels of inflammation while those who lives focused on purpose and acts of selflessness had low levels. It appears that these principles help the giver just as much or even more as the receiver.

For more information on kindness and compassion, see this post.