The amygdala (Greek for almond) is composed of two almond-shaped emotional storage areas above the brain stem. It developed before the thinking part of the brain developed and prompts immediate reaction—the so-called “fight, freeze, or flight” syndrome. As the amygdala does not differentiate between physical or psychological threat, so the mind often does not differentiate between fantasy and reality. You can tell yourself almost anything you want and you can believe it. Consequently, what you think has an effect upon how you feel.
Other people can sense your feelings and your mood. They can even sense your feelings over the phone. Whether you have a negative or a positive feeling while you are talking, the other person can notice it.
We detect emotions without a word being said. Think of a time when you entered a room just after the people already in the room have had an argument. You didn’t hear the argument, but you sensed it. What was the first thing you wanted to do? The question became one—not of leaving—but of how fast you could.
Whenever I want someone else to think/feel positive thoughts, I must experience positivity first—with the knowledge that it becomes communicated before my saying a word.
