We Can Choose Our Direction

This quote reflects the DIS-EASE of our brain that I wrote about on my last post. It speaks to how most of us live the majority of our day on “auto-pilot” not realizing where we are headed to suddenly find ourselves in a place of being where we did not wish to be. 

The key here is the possibility of change. We CAN CHOOSE which direction we take. But, in order for that to happen we need to 1. Be Present to where we are right now 2. Stop to contemplate the options ahead of us, and 3. Consciously make a decision as to if and how we need to shift direction.

For those of you that may believe that this is all a bunch of “mumbo-jumbo,” the fact is that this is all based on neuroscience and neuroplasticity. It has been shown that all humans have various neurons for processing information from an event, situation, encounter, circumstance, etc. One set of neurons processes the stimulus through a negative, fear-based lens, whereas the other proceses the same stimulus through a positive, love-based lens. Because as humans we are all wired to survive above all else, the neural pathways that process information through that fear-based lens work as rapidly and efficiently as high-speed internet. Whereas the neural pathways that process the information through the love-based lens work as slowly as the old dial-up internet. Again, this is because we are wired to survive above all else. Therefore, any stimulus, regardless of how small or inconsequential, that our brain perceives as a “danger or attack,” immediately goes down the ultra-fast negative neural pathways sending our brain into a recurrent loop of negative thoughts and emotions. These negative thoughts and emotions are meant to “protect” us from the danger at hand. However, the reality is that those thoughts and emotions can trap us in a long and winding path of anxiety, fear, anger, etc…, unless we choose to change direction. 

So, this is where AWARENESS is of great importance. We need to recognize that whatever has happened has triggered these negative neural pathways, and that our thoughts and emotions are getting ahead of us. This awareness can come about if we allow ourselves to simply feel what is going on in our bodies. The instant we begin to feel negative emotions we need to STOP. Then, we need to create a space so we can discern what is truly at hand. And, the best way to do this is by doing PQ reps. One of my favorites is to close my eyes and focus on the sensation of my feet on the floor, while connecting with each of my toes. This brings me back to the present moment. It allows me to disconnect from the loop of negative thoughts. In this space I then have the opportunity to COMMAND my brain: 1. Do I remain in the negative loop and continue on that path, or 2. Do I choose to engage with the circumstances using my positive neural pathways? Once I make my choice to use the positive neural pathways, I can then look at the situation at hand from the perspective that: Anything and everything can be turned into a gift or opportunity. At the very least, I know that the challenge of the situation gives me the opportunity to practice this “shifting of direction” so that I can work towards upgrading the positive neural connections from dial-up to cable. With increased practice I will eventually have a high-speed connection to those positive neural pathways as well, allowing me to recover and “shift direction” much more quickly and efficiently. In order to maintain this high-speed connection to the positive neural pathways, continued practice is essential, for the basic instincts of our brain to have our “survival mode” dominate will forever be present.

“If you do not change direction, you might end up where you are heading.” Lao Tzu- Chinese philosopher