Emotional Footprints

Oct 16, 2022

Ever hear a song and find yourself transported back to prom or some other significant event in your life? Yep. That’s an emotional memory, which is a strong force in the brain. Although some cognitive information fades, emotional footprints stick with us long after events have passed.

Earlier this week I found myself in the Atlanta airport with several hours to kill, so on a whim I stopped into The Barber Shop to take some weight off the top of my head – and boy, was that the right move. It was an experience – like stepping into the bar on the old television sitcom, Cheers. Everybody was incredibly welcoming, and the employees went out of their way to make sure their clients had a positive experience – which I did.

Unfortunately, within minutes of leaving the shop I found myself trying to get through airport security with about 300 other people. From start to finish it took me exactly one hour and four minutes to move through the continuous maze and get cleared. Did I mention this was the expedited TSA pre-check line? Though I had reason to feel angry and frustrated, my brain was still saturated in positive emotions from the haircut.

That’s the power of an emotional memory. The amygdala, an area of the brain that processes emotions, is strongly connected to the hippocampus, an area associated with memories. This potent pairing can make or break us when it comes to daily interactions, as strong emotional states stick with us.

Teachers, it can be disheartening knowing some of your students deal with negative emotional states outside your classroom, but I recommend you remain optimistic. Every day you have the chance to leave positive emotional footprints on your students that they will keep long after they have left your classroom. And it’s not so much the amount of time you spend with them that makes the difference, but the impact of the experience itself.

With time, I’m certain I will forget about my hour-long wait getting through security – but my emotional state during the haircut – that positive feeling is with me to stay. So, if you ever find yourself traveling through the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport, I highly recommend you stop in to have a trim at The Barber Shop. Trust me, you’ll leave with a heavy dose of joy and a great haircut as well.

Start of School Goals

Welcome to the new school year. Consider kicking it off by working with your students on setting behavior and/or academic goals. I tell younger students, “One goal makes our heart happier, and the other makes our brain smarter.” Frame the discussion in terms of...

School’s About to Start! Woo Hoo! …or not

While at a restaurant earlier this week, I really enjoyed a conversation coming from the booth next to me. Two brothers were talking about the start of school. The soon-to-be first grader told the waitress he couldn't wait! The soon-to-be eighth grader...not so much....

A New Year

As we said goodbye to 2025 earlier this week, I was thinking about one of my favorite animated children’s specials, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year. In it, Father Time tells Rudolph that if the horrible vulture, Eon the Terrible, takes Happy, the Baby New Year, time stops...

Enjoy the Journey

Perspective and attitude carry a great deal of weight when it comes to behavior. Accordingly, I need to slow down during this hectic month. Of course, my tendency is to speed up. I make a list of all the tasks needing completion before the year’s end and check it...

Homeostasis

You might have noticed I stepped away from technology over the past few months. It wasn’t a choice at first. 2025 has been a challenging year - and one that has reminded me of the importance of homeostasis. A simple definition of homeostasis is “any...

Using Our Time Wisely

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. Sorry – this was not my intent. As I mentioned in a prior blog, my wife and I spent a great deal of time over the summer in Ohio with a lifelong friend who is now in hospice care. We’ve felt fortunate to be able to do this. ...

Unseen Challenges

We don’t know what we don’t know – this is the mantra that’s circled through my brain on several occasions this summer. People have all kinds of challenges that are not always visible to outsiders. And when we don’t know the full story behind people’s behaviors,...

Acknowledge, Defer, Step Away

So parents, are you enjoying time with your kids while school is out? Though summer can be great for families, it can also present challenges. Close quarters, combined with high amounts of together time, can become a breeding ground for conflict. Keep in mind that...

Blooming Challenges

II’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Parents, you are going to get frustrated with your kids. But when that happens, find an activity you enjoy and step away. This strategy help you avoid a power struggle, and more importantly, adjusts your perspective....

Time to Refuel

Educators, this is just a reminder that It’s called summer break for a reason. Your work August through May is draining, which takes a toll on your physical, emotional and mental health. You might not be consciously aware of this now because when your brain and body...

Mother’s Day – A Collective Effort

It’s Mother’s Day - and the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. This seems appropriate since most teachers play the role of surrogate mom about 180 days per year. Teachers nurture, support, encourage, provide boundaries, model, listen, and teach. These...