What's Your Pattern?

It's Tuesday night and I've just completed four hours of back-to-back therapy sessions plus an additional hour of paperwork. Unhappy couples, stressed out parents, troubled families and rebellious kids--I've seen it all and I'm tired. I head home to my family, only to find them either absorbed in their own interests or needing something from me. It's not that they're cold or uncaring; It's just that I'm the wife and mom. My homecoming is perceived by them as an opportunity for me to function in one of those roles--not as an opportunity for me to prop up my feet and be asked if I need a cup of tea. 

What do I do? I typically have a large bowl of ice cream. It seems like a great idea at the time--a way to be nice to myself by having as much as I want. Tomorrow, I think . . . I can always count calories then.

I share this pattern of mine from several years back because it's a good example of a routine that developed over time not in response to actual hunger, but rather as a reaction to a physical and emotional need. It's also exemplifies why dieting alone fails to work for many people. I didn't really eat because I was hungry. Rather, I ate because I was tired, a little bit lonely and feeling like I wanted to be nice to myself when others were unaware or indifferent to how I might be feeling. 

Other folks drink, smoke, shop online, play computer games, camp out on the couch, or "live" on the internet for similar reasons. While some behaviors truly are detrimental, most done in moderation are not a concern. The challenge occurs when we engage in a behavior to the point where it does create problems for our physical, emotional and/or relational health. Then we need to think about changing.

One of the most helpful things I've read about changing our behavior is written by Charles Duhigg. In The Power of Habit, Duhigg lays out the framework for changing any habit in the following four steps:

1. Identify the routine.
2. Experiment with the rewards.
3. Isolate the cue.
4. Have a plan.

For me this meant first identifying the routine associated with my big-bowl-of-ice-cream fixation. As you can see from the description above, it had a lot to do with arriving home around 9 PM after 4-5 hours of mentally and emotionally exhausting work and feeling that I wanted to be nice to myself in some way. 

If I wanted to change the routine, I was clearly going to have to come up with something to take the place of Rocky Road ice cream, one of my favorites.

I recognized the cue (arriving home after a long day of work), but it wasn't simply arriving at home since I did that every other day of the week and didn't feel the same compulsion to eat then. Since I didn't necessarily want to stay out all night or make reservations at a hotel on Tuesday evenings, I needed to come up with an acceptable alternative. 

Fortunately, my Main Man, although initially unaware of this pattern, was willing to be part of experimenting with alternative possibilities. On at least two different occasions for a period of several weeks, we took dancing lessons. This required me to leave the paperwork to the next day, hop in the car with him and drive to our lessons a good 20-30 minutes away. After that, we spent the next hours trying to master the moves of the fox trot, swing and rumba. On other occasions, we simply left our teens to tend to themselves in the house and took a good long walk with the dog. On nights like these, ice cream looked much less attractive. It turns out that what I really wanted and needed was not ice cream so much as human interaction and activity where someone would listen and do something fun with me.

If you've decided that now is the time for you to take some steps toward positive change in  your life, I'd like to suggest that over the next week you observe your pattern. What is the context of your troublesome behavior? What kinds of activities and emotions are associated with the thing you'd like to change? Don't necessarily try to change anything yet. Just pay attention to what's going on with you, what you're feeling before you do it and how you feel after. 

And, if you're really serious about making a change, I strongly suggest you click on the link below and watch the short, but very well done clip by Duhigg. Even better, read the book or listen to it on Audible. I think you'll find it to be intriguing and helpful.

http://charlesduhigg.com/how-to-break-habits/

Changing patterns,

Dr. Jennifer Baker

Moment of Truth

Last week I had a funny experience over at the Chesterfield Family Center.  I had just changed into my bathing suit for water aerobics and was heading for the pool when a lady at an adjoining  locker smiled and said, “Hi Jennifer.”

I’ll admit it, I’m not good with names, but her voice did sound familiar and I thought I recognized her face … at least a little. A few minutes later she hurried into the pool area and jumped into the water. I tried not to stare, but I couldn’t get over the fact that she acted as though she knew me and there was definitely something familiar about her. Who was this woman?

I worked my way over to a position near to her in the water and took a better look. She definitely looked like someone I had seen before, and yet different. Finally I asked if she had lost weight or had a twin sister who once attended water aerobics. She laughed and said she had lost a total of 105 pounds since last February, but due to a family emergency hadn’t been to class for three months. When she came every week, I hadn’t noticed the difference. When she missed for three months, there was a definite difference.

“How did you do it?” I said.

“Weight Watchers,” she replied.

“How did you get yourself to go,” I asked. To me, that’s the really important question. There are a number of ways to lose weight—some better than others, but what I really want to know is what gets a person started down a new path when they’ve been going a different direction most of their life. Most of us know a different path, a better path is available, but what causes us to put one foot in front of the other going in a new direction and then keep going day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year?

“Well,” she said, “I went to my doctor and had my yearly. He told me, like he does every year, that I was doing fine for now. Normally he goes on to say I need to lose weight, but this year he handed me a brochure and asked me to consider gastric bypass. That made me mad." 

"It was just before Christmas so I didn’t say anything to my husband until January. Then I told him how angry I was because the doctor must think I was stupid not to be able to control the food I put in my mouth . . . and then I stopped and thought maybe I did have a problem.”

“After that I said I was going to Weight Watchers, but I kept putting it off … getting into the new year … my sister’s birthday coming up … finally, my husband suggested I was stalling, just putting it off and that I would never go.”

“Alright,” I said, “and I went. I was mad about going, but I went. It was okay. I decided to go back.”

"How did you keep with it?" I wondered.

"Well, I made the mistake of telling my kids. All their lives I've told them that if they started something, they needed to finish it … like if they started a team and decided they didn't like to practice or play, they still had to finish the season. Well, once they knew I was working on a program to lose weight, I knew I couldn’t quit. So, I stayed with it. Eleven months later I have lost 105 pounds."

"It hasn't been easy. I still did all the baking at Christmas time for our family, but instead of putting those goodies in my mouth I thought, ‘What do I want more? Do I want that (which lasts for just a bit), or do I want the new me?’ It made a difference.”

Her story got me to thinking. Most of my adult life I have been interested in what helps people change. I’ve been a teacher and I know education helps people change, but it often doesn’t seem to be enough when it comes to behavior. We often know what to do; we just don’t do it.

As a mental health professional, I have worked with many people to help bring about change in their behavior, their relationships, their work or their family. I know how hard it can be to alter something about yourself that you find problematic. It's not always easy, but I know there are definitely positive steps we can take to make it easier. 

What's on your list for improvement? Common things include—

• Losing weight
• Becoming more physically active
• Being more organized
• Procrastinating less
• Improving an important relationship
• Eliminating certain troublesome behaviors (e.g. smoking)

To get yourself started, it helps to have a wake-up call. So, I'm wondering what yours will be? What will it take to motivate you? What would get you started down a new road—one that requires a change in your routine, possibly cost you time and/or money, and may make you uncomfortable from time to time? Could it be ...

• Stepping on the scales, looking in the mirror, or reviewing old photographs?
• A visit to the doctor, high blood pressure or finding out you are pre-diabetic?
• Losing track of an important document or missing another deadline?
• Disappointing someone you care about or being written up at work?
• Poor communication, tension and stress in a relationship with someone you love?

 What will happen if you don’t change? What could happen if you do?


Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer Baker

Change: "What's Your Favorite Color?"

A few days before Christmas our son, aka "Our Boy," sent us this photo of himself and his sons sitting in the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport en route to Minneapolis to visit his wife's parents for Christmas. (Our daughter-in-law, not in costume, declined to be photographed.) Now here's the thing about our son--he goes about life with a great "joie de vivre" evident in almost everything he does. He is an assistant principal at an elementary school where he handles any number of administrative duties, but his mantra tends to be, "If you can't have fun doing it, why bother?" Thus the Buddy the Elf get-up in an airport full of anxious, weary travelers at Christmas time. 
  I've seen videos of Our Boy riding up to school on his bicycle in a large chicken suit, sitting with his chicken feet propped up on his desk, and cheering the school children on with flapping feathers all to encourage more reading.

 
 

I suspect he gets this characteristic from his father, my Main Man. Back when unemployment was soaring and the economy tanking, he purchased orange corduroy pants, an orange striped shirt and an orange tie to wear as an ensemble to school one day just to give the parents, kids and teachers something to smile about. Accessorized with his green down vest, I thought he looked just like a giant walking carrot. People smiled alright. I just hoped they didn't lock him up.

What does this have to do with change? The truth is not everyone is crazy about an elf in an airport at Christmas time or someone in a chicken suit, flapping his feathers and cheering. Some thoughtful, contemplative, private folks would NEVER consider drawing attention to themselves in a potentially unseemly manner. They simply don't think it's appropriate. They don't see the point. They might agree with the extroverted personality on a common goal--using one's resources to bring greater joy and happiness to others, but they clash when it comes to how that is to be accomplished. Clashes are likely to occur when you get these personality polar opposites together and they often set out to prove the other is inappropriate or wrong. They may even try to change each other. I know because I am definitely not the kind of person to wear a costume in an airport or dress from head to toe in bright orange. My attempts at changing either of these two extroverts have mostly failed, which is as it should be. Their change is not up to me.

Are there consequences associated with being a raging extrovert? A quiet introvert? Something in between? Probably. Should people try to change some aspect of their behavior or personality--tone it down, rev it up, modify the extremes? Possibly. It might be in their best interest, but modification is likely to come only when an individual decides change is necessary. 

Your spouse might want you to modify your diet and lose a few pounds and it truly might be in your best interest to do so, but unless you commit to this change it will only be a source of conflict and resentment. Your employer may insist on certain health habits, e.g., not smoking on campus, but unless you believe you need to quit smoking your efforts will be lackluster at best. In short, unless you want to change, believe you need to change and are convinced that change is in your best interest, a successful outcome is unlikely. Others may act as a resource, offering encouragement, support and strategies when your motivation is low and your zeal flagging, but ownership of the problem, the need to change, can be yours alone.

Next week I'll begin outlining some specific steps and strategies to positive change, but before we take that next step it seems important to take one more look around and determine the following:

1) Is there something I need to change? How do I know this? Who says?
2) Am I willing to make the commitment to do so?  Sacrifice the time, energy, resources and comfort of my current ways?
3) If I don't make this change, what are the potential consequences? Who will it affect or impact? Who will be the biggest loser?

Answer these questions and those of us who are ready will get started in a new direction next week.

Sincerely, 
Dr. Jennifer Baker

Change

There are some kinds of change we find exciting and inviting.

"I've been thinking about changing the color of our bedroom."
"What do you think about changing cars, maybe to something a little sportier?"
"Let's change our vacation plans and go somewhere different this year."
"What would you think about going to a Thai restaurant for a change, instead of Mexican?"

Other kinds of change may initially sound exciting, but seem less attractive over time.

"I'm going to join a fitness center and go at least four times a week."
"I want to start eating a healthier diet--less fast food, more fruits and vegetables."
"I want to stop smoking."
"I want to get to bed earlier and get more sleep."

What's the difference? Ron Heifetz, author of Leadership Without Easy Answers, refers to the first of these as "technical change." These kinds of changes are the easiest to make. Perhaps that's why we tend to relish and embrace them. The second kind of change, what Heifetz's calls "adaptive change," is much more difficult. Implementation of this kind of change requires new learning and is much more challenging. Perhaps that's why we resist.

Every year many of us resolve that this will be THE YEAR we will change in some significant way. Although we may make fun of New Year's resolutions, it turns out they may be more significant than we may think. I recently read an article suggesting that those who make resolutions at the beginning of the year are more successful in achieving and maintaining their goals than those who resolve to make changes at some other time. It's just one study and more research is certainly needed, but it has made me continue to wonder what creates and sustains successful change in our behavior. 

Let's face it, at some point in our life, most of us want to alter our behavior in some way. We may want to be more organized or punctual. We may resolve to spend less time on social media, or stay in touch with our friends on a more regular basis. Many want to shed a few pounds and/or increase their activity level. For some, the desire to change is provoked by a look in the mirror or a review of old photos. Others are persuaded through a visit with their physician and a life-changing diagnosis. An ultimatum from a spouse or employer could be the motivation for others.

Over the next few weeks we will be considering important factors related to changing our behavior. There's much to ponder, but for now I'd like to focus on one thing, namely, your goal or goals. What do you really want to change or accomplish? What will you be doing differently when you're succeeding? What would a film crew following you around be recording?

For example, many people say they would like to write a book, or even that they should write a book. And yet, very few of those folks actually end up writing much of anything on a regular basis. It seems they like the idea of being an author, but they don't actually care much for the process of writing. Having written a couple of books myself I can tell you from experience writing can be a real drag some days--like trudging uphill carrying a couple of five-gallon buckets of water in eight inches of snow. In fact, I'm not all that certain I'll ever write another because the process requires that I give up so many other things I would rather do. It's nice to have your name on the cover of a book, but I'm not always sure it's worth the sacrifice. So do I really want to write another book, or do I just like the idea of being published?

Tim Miles, author of Good Company, Making it--Keeping It--Being It, writes the following: "Are you willing to put your head down, make a choice and move forward step-by-step down one path at the expense of other paths and opportunities?" While Miles, a marketing expert, is referring to business success I think his comments are also relevant to other changes we say we want to make, namely are we just saying we want to change or do we want to change badly enough to take the steps necessary to increase the likelihood of success.

You say you want to lose weight. Are you willing to remove snack foods from the pantry and avoid fast food establishments as a lunch? Or how about increasing your activity level? Are you willing to get up early and hit the gym before work or arrange your schedule to ensure you have time to show up before you head for home after work? Intend to improve your marriage or spend more time with your kids? What are you willing to give up to reach that goal?

Before I launch into some of the most effective ways to make important changes in your life, I think it's best to stop and ask yourself, what am I willing to let go of, loosen my grip on, change my attitude about, or rearrange my schedule for. If you can't answer this question, you're probably not ready to make a change.



Dr. Jennifer Baker

What Are You Waiting For?

Stella, age 4, can hardly wait until Christmas. She is hoping that Santa will bring her a "My Little Pony," preferably blue.

Her older sisters, age six, are hoping for new cowboy boots--the kind with lots of glitz and glitter that girls their age love to wear.

I bet most of us remember the longing we experienced as children, waiting what seemed like an eternity for that special day to arrive when we would receive the much anticipated gift we felt certain would be under the Christmas tree. In those days, most of us waited with some kind of certainty our wishes would be fulfilled. It just might take longer than we would like.

When we grow up, we still long for things but often with less certainty. Some of us long for a life partner; others for a child of their own. Some folks yearn for healing in a relationship, or for the return of a rebellious child, or even an end to chronic pain and suffering. When we wait for these kinds of things our waiting is much less certain. We're not at all certain our marriage will be healed, our child will return from his or her rebellious ways, or our family member will be reconciled. We don't know if we'll ever marry, we'll have a baby of our own, or the pain we're enduring will loosen its icy grip on our lives. When we wait for things like this, it's much harder to be hopeful. In fact, in the dark days of December when other people seem to be so "merry and bright," it can be even more difficult to experience the hopeful waiting that seems to be such a part of this season.

So what can be done? How can one wait hopefully and avoid a dreary descent into anger, bitterness and despair? When it comes to answering questions like these, I turn to people who seem to have done a much better job than I have . . . people who teach me what it means to wait with peace, patience and perspective. One such person is Cathy Tijerina.

Cathy writes the following:

     In September of 1991, I was twenty-four years old when I found myself trying to explain to my two and four year old sons why Daddy didn’t come home that day. “Prison” was a new word to define for my sons - a word that toddlers should not even know - yet here I was trying desperately to provide an explanation to them that would make sense without completely robbing them of their innocence. We were so sure that Ron was not going to be convicted of a crime he did not commit we had not even thought about telling our sons anything. Now, as I sat alone on the floor of our house, holding my sobbing, frightened children, I wondered how on earth our young family was going to make it through that night—let alone the next 14-25 years my husband was just sentenced.
     Little did I know that the devastation I felt as I walked out of the court house alone that day was just the beginning of a journey of pain, shame, disappointment and social shunning that my husband’s incarceration had created for my children and me.  
(See http://www.theridgeproject.com/#/about-us/ron-cathy-tijerina.)

Ron was released from prison after 15 years. He missed most of the growing up years for his sons--the birthdays, Christmases and graduations. While he was gone, Cathy functioned as a single parent, helping her children stay connected with their father through regular visits to the prison, keeping the faith that someday Ron would be released and they all would be together as a family. That time finally came in 2006, but in the interim both Ron and Cathy had to wait with a lot of uncertainty about the future. 

I thought of Cathy when I was driving to work one day last week, wallowing in a bit of "December dreariness."  I reflected on all the Decembers she must have spent loading kids in and out of the car by herself, putting up a tree and holiday decorations by herself, shoveling snow and managing wintry weather conditions by herself while she waited for one day, some day, when she wouldn't have to do it all alone.

I know Ron and Cathy, have heard them speak on a number of occasions and talked with them in person. When I'm tempted to feel discouraged or sorry for myself, reflecting on their story gives me a great deal of hope. Here are some things I think they might tell you.

Faith makes a difference. Early in their experience of incarceration, Ron and Cathy became part of a faith community--Ron behind the walls, Cathy on the outside. They would tell you that their faith in God was transformative. They would also emphasize the importance of being associated with like-minded people. If one must persist and endure, waiting with the encouragement of others can be very helpful.

Look beyond yourself. In the first year or two of Ron's incarceration, Cathy began to look for meaningful support for someone like herself--a committed wife and mother who wanted to wait for her husband's release with patience and courage. She writes:

Ron continually inspired me and encouraged me that we COULD make a difference for all those who came behind us. I believed him, and we took on a new mission beyond just our own family. In 1993, we began with a program we developed called Keeping FAITH (now the Keeping Families And Inmates Together in Harmony program.) In this program, Ron mentored other men in prison, while I would meet with and encourage their families on the outside. This was the beginning of the Ridge Project. In 2000, while Ron was still incarcerated, we officially founded the Ridge Project. Ron continued to mentor incarcerated men, while I worked with their families, and I also began an after-school program to help at-risk or struggling youth.

People forced to wait by a serious illness, marital discord, rebellious children and a host of other problems often report finding great meaning in looking beyond themselves to comfort and encourage others who are experiencing similar difficulties. This doesn't necessarily change the circumstances (Ron was still incarcerated for 15 years), but it brings meaning to suffering.

Enjoy the little things. Although I haven't heard Cathy or Ron say this specifically, I know from my contact with them that they are two of the most joyful people I know. They embrace life and enjoy each other. Their enthusiasm is infectious. One cannot help but be impacted by their presence. There's so much about which they might be bitter and angry, but they have chosen to focus on the good. I want to be more like them.

I confess to being a prone-to-impatience kind of person. Waiting is rarely easy for me. At the same time, I can see that watchful waiting, done in the right way, can soften us into more peaceable persons who bring joy and hope to others. Maybe that's what I'm waiting for this Christmas and I do think it's the kind of thing that's worth the wait.

Waiting with you,

Dr. Jennifer Baker

What Are You Giving Up for Christmas?

 

Yes, I know it's customary to ask what you want for Christmas or what might be on your Christmas "to do" list, but right now I'd like to suggest a pause in your holiday celebration to consider what you might want to give up for Christmas, especially in the interest of "Peace on earth, good will to men."

 

 

I've been giving this some thought myself lately. For instance, if I didn't do all the things I typically do, would I then have time to be a more peaceful and joyful person? I'm thinking I might. This gave me some ideas of what I'd like to give up for Advent, the period of preparation leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

Expectations: Most of us have quite a few expectations about the celebration of Christmas, whether we know it or not. If we've celebrated many Yuletide seasons at all, we know--with a capital "K"--how some things are to be done. We KNOW how stuffing in the turkey should taste, what kind of cookies must be baked, who must be present on Christmas Eve and when the presents should be unwrapped. There are rules about such things and we know they are true because we learned them as children. The only problem is that the person we married or the folks we hang out with didn't learn the same rules. How does one deal with the sort of disappointment and disillusionment that occurs when rules aren't followed? Only by giving up some of your expectations for Christmas and embracing the moment of today.

Disappointing Others: I've worked with any number of couples around this time of year about how to manage the expectations of their extended family for the holidays. The matter is further complicated by divorce. For example, his mother and stepfather want them to be present on Christmas Eve, but so do her father and stepmother. His father lives alone, but has asked that they spend part of Christmas Day with him. Trouble is, her mother and step-father want Christmas Day time as well. Confused yet? Not as much as this poor couple who feel torn apart by people they love, but don't want to disappoint. If small children, i.e., grandchildren, are involved, the pressure can intensify--especially if all the persons in question live close enough to each other that the couple could actually split their time, even though it exhausts them in the process.
 

And let's not forget the pressure of gift giving on small budgets already stretched to the limits for many young families. How does one deal with the sort of conflict and confusion that occurs when trying to set limits with important and much loved extended family? Only by releasing the fantasy that you can please everyone and also create happy memories for yourself.

Self-Absorption: Sometimes it's easy to be merry and bright during the holidays. Other days it's not. On the days when it's not going well, my greatest tendency is to think about myself--what I want, how I'm feeling, where my life is not going well, and how others may have disappointed or frustrated me in some way. The problem with being self-absorbed is that we miss the opportunities for joy occurring all around us, e.g., shoveling an elderly neighbor's sidewalk, helping someone beyond your family trim their tree, visiting with someone who might be lonely, or taking a friend to lunch. When we give up self-absorption we often find the joy we hope to experience during this season.

There are a lot of other things I'm thinking I need to relinquish for a more joyful holiday season--impatience for one. Perfectionism for another. I could ask my family members and they might add a few more things to my list. The more I think about it, focusing on what I want to give up this Christmas might be even more important than either the "wish list" or the "to do list." Maybe I ought to give that list a little more work.

Wondering what you want to give up this Christmas for a most joyous celebration.

Dr. Jennifer Baker

 

I Want What I Think You Want

When I rose from my bed an hour later than usual last Friday morning, I thought about all the shoppers who engaged in "Black Friday" activities while I sat in my fuzzy fleece robe, sipped hot coffee and watched the sunrise. What got them up and going at such an early hour, or perhaps led them to curtail their Thanksgiving activities the evening before? Was it only the lure of not-to-be-missed sale items, or was there something more? What is it about how we think that makes us sacrifice for a sale? Bully our way to the front of the line for a bargain? Forgo free time for long lines of pushy shoppers? And then I remembered our daughter's fifth birthday.

It was late June and I was lying in bed, "sick as a dog," wondering how I was going to purchase the Cabbage Patch doll our five-year-old daughter wanted for her birthday, as well as pull off her party the following day. If you weren't alive in 1982 or 1983 or were under the age of five, you probably don't recall what a sensation these dolls were. Perhaps it was a backlash against Barbies or dolls that walked, talked and wet their pants, but suddenly Cabbage Patch dolls with chubby faces and soft cloth bodies that didn't do anything were on every little girl's list. We were unable to secure one of the prized dolls for Christmas, but by the time our daughter's birthday rolled around in June, we thought we might be able to manage the inflated expense, provided we could locate one. Finally, just days before her birthday we tracked one down in a store about 40 miles from the small town where we lived in southern Illinois. My Main Man, like a hunter in pursuit of game that would ensure his family's survival, drove to Alton, Illinois in pursuit of the prize. Forty dollars and 80 miles later we had our doll.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now but a dim reflection in the rear view mirror of 2013, but there's much to learn about the way retailers use these two days to capitalize on a phenomena known as the "scarcity principle." This principle is rooted in both economic and social psychology research and refers to the way market conditions are impacted if people believe something might be in scarce supply. That's pretty much the way it was with Cabbage Patch dolls and we were certainly impacted. Because they were scarce, because not everyone could have one, our daughter wanted one more than ever.

In Contagious: Why Things Catch On, Jonah Berger, PhD notes that "Scarcity and exclusivity help products catch on by making them seem more desirable. If something is difficult to obtain, people assume that it must be worth the effort" (p. 54). Think about it for a moment, why do you think Disney takes its old animated features like Cinderella and Snow White off the shelf periodically and offers them to the public for a limited time only. It's because it increases their desirability. 

 

Do you recall when you had to have special status of some sort to shop at Sam's Club? Even now you have to have a "membership" and your status is checked at the door. Why's that? Because it actually increases the likelihood more people will want to be members. Not only that, but if something appears to be in short supply and we are "lucky" enough to secure it, we tell others much more often than we would have had it been easily obtained.

It's a funny thing about the way our brain works. If we think something is in scare supply, we want it more. It matters little if that item or experience is worth the sacrifice we might have to make for it financially or otherwise. If it's within our power to obtain it, we have a strong tendency to assume it will be worth the effort or expense.

Prohibition is perhaps one of the best examples of the scarcity principle in action. In his latest book, One Summer: America, 1927, Bill Bryson chronicles this era as one of the worst experiments in American history.

[Prohibition] was easily the most extreme, ill-judged, costly, and ignored experiment in social engineering ever conducted by an otherwise rational nation. At a stroke it shut down the fifth-largest industry in America. it took some $2 billion a year out of the hands of legitimate interests and put it in the hands of murderous thugs. It made criminals of honest people and actually led to an increase in the amount of drinking in the country (p.160-161).

Something designed to limit the consumption of alcohol actually increased it. Hmm. . . it got me to thinking. Retailers who decided to open on Thanksgiving this year may want to rethink that strategy for next year. It seems like there's significant evidence to suggest the reverse may prove more lucrative--limit hours and availability and people may want it more. From what I hear, Black Friday profits were down considerably this year from last. Scarcity, limited quantities, insufficient supply--all these may actually increase desire. Then again, if we think those limited quantities may be sold out by 4 a.m., we're likely to keep pushing the envelope on how early we'll rise to participate in the hunt.

Still pondering the mysteries of our brain,

Dr. Jennifer Baker