All New! New and Improved! New Releases! We like new things, we consumers. Scientists have discovered that novel objects perk up the reward system of our brains, indicating our sense of adventure—exploring or learning something new—may be just as tempting as cash and other prizes in the choices we make.
Wittmann and her colleagues scanned the brains of 20 volunteers while they played a game in which the goal was to accumulate money. In each trial the researchers showed players four pictures, one of which, if chosen, would net a cash payoff. The images were taken from a bank of 20 postcards, each featuring a different mountain scene. As the game went on, participants learned which images had the highest value.
When subjects selected a postcard that they knew was valuable, a region in their forebrain called the striatum (known to process rewards and pleasures) activated in expectation of their cash prize.
After the game had gone on for awhile, researchers inserted new images of similar landscapes into the mix. They noticed that in nearly all cases, players opted for the fresh shots over the old ones, including the known moneymakers.
"Participants seem to treat the novel ones in a special way," Wittmann says. "Participants treat these novel stimuli as if they expect a higher reward from them."*
There is a sense of hope in anything new. The Super Bowl victory is being celebrated today in N’Orleans , yet hope springs eternal for the other 31 teams in the NFL, a new season starts in just a few months. Perhaps that’s why we like the New Year—we expect a higher reward.
The Lunar New Year celebration will take place this Sunday—a Valentine’s Day Lunar New Year this year.
So, how about you? Are you optimistic about the New Year? Are you hopeful? Most of us are cautiously optimistic, realistic about the continuing challenges of economy, wars, and Haiti. How about making it more personal: relationships, personal health issues, family stresses, education, expectations, personal finances . . . what does the New Year promise you?
Whatever the New Year has in store for you, there is something new you can bring into the New Year. Please give careful thought to what your Lord says to you in Ephesians, chapter 4:
22 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Fueled by God’s forgiveness and grace, God has empowered you to start the New Year in the right way. A New Year is met with a new attitude—put on by the new self created to be like God. This is accomplished through God’s strength and power, fueled by God’s powerful gospel. Draw near to the strength God provides throughout the New Year. Spend time in your favorite version/translation of the Bible. Listen to God’s messages to you and take them to heart. Meditate on your favorite promises your Lord shares with you. Your New Year will be met with a newness of heart and attitude through life’s challenges as well as joys. You will have a great New Year!
Happy New Year! If you are free and in the area, you are very welcome to attend our Tết celebration this Sunday, February 14th. The service begins at 10:30 a.m., with potluck following and entertainment program and kids program following.
