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Dr. Caroline Leaf believes that human beings are "hard-wired" to think good thoughts.

"We're wired for love, but we learn fear," asserted the speaker at an upcoming Complementary Therapies Conference in Albany. The annual, day-long event is sponsored by the Center for Complementary Therapies at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam.

Dr. Leaf is a native of South Africa and the author of several books on positive thinking and discovering one's potential, including the one for which the March 21 conference is titled: "Who Switched Off My Brain? Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions."

She noted that she has 25 years of experience in the fields of neuroscience and communications. In that time, she said, research on the human brain has changed dramatically; physicians and scientists have more of an understanding of how negative experiences and even negative thoughts and emotions can have an effect on the body.

Dr. Leaf calls this "the science of thought: how thoughts form and how they can become toxic; how that impacts the choices we make."

She explained that good choices "build good thoughts," while "toxic" choices and thoughts cause the body to "go into a stress state."

During the conference, the speaker plans to help participants explore their gifts - which she sees as the unique way each person thinks - and the manifestations of those gifts as various talents.

In talks and in her books, she also notes the connection between spiritual and physical health. A born-again Christian, Dr. Leaf told The Evangelist that "the Bible is correct: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Brain science is catching up with the word of God."

Although some medical professionals will attend the conference, Dr. Leaf said that her theories can be put to use by anyone. She invited others to attend.

"These principles help people to improve their lifestyle choices," the speaker stated. "We can't control the circumstances of life, but we can control our reactions."

The complementary therapies conference will be held March 21, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the Best Western Albany Airport Inn, Albany. Cost is $100. Call 841-7146.[[In-content Ad]]

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