OT: There are two domains in psychology that I regret (to some extent) that I never pursued, both have to do with the healing phenomena of our some of our "everyday" activities.
One is the power of music to generate such an uplifting of the spirit. I continue to work (ever so slowly) on a piece of quasi-fiction about how being involved in music as a child and teenager fundamentally changed who I was and am. For anyone who has ever sung in a choir or played an instrument in an orchestra or band, the tingling sensation up and down one's spine that one gets when the group reaches new heights is very powerful and overwhelmingly positive.
The other area, fraught with false idols, is the healing nature of human contact itself. While we have, by and large, selected out the very behaviors of interest here in our culture (with the possible exception of SOME of these behaviors during courtship), the very existence of the "laying of the hands" as a healing phenomenon is very real, I think, and something that has been left on the scientific "side of the road".
Preciouslife1, you no doubt have this gift, if this can even be palpated in cyberspace. I will also consider it quite unfortunate if I never get to meet you in person.
Smile and stay strong,
aj
