Our Emotional Footprint

In times of uncertainty, our base levels of anxiety and reactivity are high, but our human propensity to hope can save us.

Archeological evidence has shown that humans have always been on a quest to understand our origins and the meanings attached to our complicated lives, just as we are now..

As a little girl, our daughter said she felt "only," as she felt this word better described her feelings than the word "lonely," to convey its isolation, sadness and solitude.

We often try to interpret the meanings of our dreams. Dreams can be vivid and memorable, delightful or disturbing—and can enrich our lives.

Career

Stories of Our Lives and 'The Human Condition'

Saul Levine M.D. on October 3, 2021

Is "the human condition" a curse that bedevils us or a blessing bestowed upon us? Humans have considerable say in how their life stories unfold, but we need each other.

Is "the human condition" a curse that bedevils us or a blessing bestowed upon us? Humans have considerable say in how their life stories unfold, but we need each other.

Motivation

How to Live With Uncertainty

Saul Levine M.D. on September 3, 2021

We live with uncertainties about our health and futures personally and with severe global crises. We have the need and intelligence to overcome, we need the impetus and motivation.

We live with uncertainties about our health and futures personally and with severe global crises. We have the need and intelligence to overcome, we need the impetus and motivation.

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive Dissonance: True Lies and False Truths

Saul Levine M.D. on August 7, 2021

In addition to pandemic and global warming, people are psychologically pressured by intense conflicts about what is true or factual versus what is based on disinformation and lies.

In addition to pandemic and global warming, people are psychologically pressured by intense conflicts about what is true or factual versus what is based on disinformation and lies.

In spite of psychological stressors and social challenges, we have capacities to achieve senses of Being, Belonging, Believing and Benevolence, and a Positive Emotional Footprint.

Career

A Domestic Corps: Inspiring Our Youth, Enhancing Our Country

Saul Levine M.D. on June 1, 2021

A year-long Domestic Corps experience could be a "win-win" for post-high school adolescents and young adults while contributing to the social and infrastructure of the country.

A year-long Domestic Corps experience could be a "win-win" for post-high school adolescents and young adults while contributing to the social and infrastructure of the country.

Spirituality

A Sense of Awe, and "Peak Experiences"

Saul Levine M.D. on May 5, 2021

Most people can recall at least one extremely intense event in their lives that involved transitory but profound emotional, perceptual, and cognitive alterations.

Most people can recall at least one extremely intense event in their lives that involved transitory but profound emotional, perceptual, and cognitive alterations.

Optimism

The Arc of Humanity Bends to Benevolence, or Belligerence?

Saul Levine M.D. on April 8, 2021

Our social species has advanced communally and benevolently, but we have not controlled our propensities to anger, hate, and violence: benevolence or belligerence, our yin and yang.

Our social species has advanced communally and benevolently, but we have not controlled our propensities to anger, hate, and violence: benevolence or belligerence, our yin and yang.

Despite the imposed hardships of the pandemic inflicted on all of us and our troubled political times, there are glimmers of optimism evinced by human creativity and resilience.

Resilience

Resilience Revisited: Help Often Plays a Key Role

Saul Levine M.D. on February 8, 2021

I've known people who overcame severe adversities and thrived in their lives. Their stories are of pain and setbacks, courage and perseverance, but help from others was crucial.

I've known people who overcame severe adversities and thrived in their lives. Their stories are of pain and setbacks, courage and perseverance, but help from others was crucial.

Anger

The Pleasures and Pains of Writing

Saul Levine M.D. on January 3, 2021

Writers of opinion columns and articles have long received respectful praise or criticism, but the internet has brought forth vile personal attacks.

Writers of opinion columns and articles have long received respectful praise or criticism, but the internet has brought forth vile personal attacks.

Gratitude

Gratitude for Grandparents

Saul Levine M.D. on December 9, 2020

Grandparents are adored by grandchildren whom they can love and spoil, but they also often play crucial roles in raising children.

Grandparents are adored by grandchildren whom they can love and spoil, but they also often play crucial roles in raising children.

Health

Canada and the United States: Different Peas in a Pod

Saul Levine M.D. on November 10, 2020

Canada and the U.S. share the longest peaceful border in the world, but there are differences and tensions between the two nations in the way they see society and the world.

Canada and the U.S. share the longest peaceful border in the world, but there are differences and tensions between the two nations in the way they see society and the world.

Anger

The Appeal of Authoritarians to Malcontents and Militants

Saul Levine M.D. on October 1, 2020

During times of social unrest, intense pressures, and uncertainties, many are drawn to authoritarian leaders who promise stability, security, and exclusion of unwanted others.

During times of social unrest, intense pressures, and uncertainties, many are drawn to authoritarian leaders who promise stability, security, and exclusion of unwanted others.

Friends

The 'Positive Emotional Footprint' of Mike

Saul Levine M.D. on September 1, 2020

My father Mike's life as a child was marked by poverty and dangerous anti-Semitism. As an adult, however, he was benevolent, warm, and resilient.

My father Mike's life as a child was marked by poverty and dangerous anti-Semitism. As an adult, however, he was benevolent, warm, and resilient.

When the pandemic is over, will we return to the past? Will we be unprepared for other disasters, revert to human selfishness and aggression, or will we strive to live in harmony?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Enigma and Metaphor of Face Masks

Saul Levine M.D. on June 21, 2020

In the midst of a pandemic, evidence that face masks are effective, and the urging of scientists, many still refuse to utilize them. Wearing them is a metaphor for civility,

In the midst of a pandemic, evidence that face masks are effective, and the urging of scientists, many still refuse to utilize them. Wearing them is a metaphor for civility,