Kelly Klein*Note: I wrote this on September 22, 2016, but I still want to share it because I believe it is still relevant.
I am re-reading a book that has completely changed my perspective, and ultimately my life. It is called Hidden Solutions All Around You by Daniel Castro. This book is all about finding a need and filling it, even though most people may not see it. The particular chapter I am reflecting most on is Chapter 25: What If You Could Change Your Brain?
I grew up believing there was something wrong with my brain. I was afraid of everything including my own shadow. I still am, to some extent. I wasn’t as smart as the other kids in my class. I wasn’t good at anything I tried and even with practice I still failed miserably. My limiting beliefs began and grew over time. I still battle these limiting beliefs. I know logically that I am not my limiting beliefs, but emotionally I still fight them. I find it hard to un-believe them. It didn’t help that I had people actually reinforce my limiting beliefs by telling me bad things about myself and who I am. Words being important to me, I always took them to heart. And so my self-confidence and self-esteem went down.
I am in a constant state of personal growth. I read books, I listen to audios, I attend seminars. I eat up information like it’s going out of style. I want to be a better person, one that is liked by other people because of my good qualities. For a while I believed that all my effort was in vein because I still held onto the belief that there was something wrong with me, and that I couldn’t change because of that.
Then I read this book. This chapter. My whole perspective changed. I learned that the brain can be changed. You can actually change your brain. The brain is plastic. That means it has the ability to change throughout your life by creating neural pathways. The brain literally rewires itself. It’s fascinating.
If a part of the brain is damaged, the common belief was that whatever that part of the brain controls would no longer be able to be used. However, it has been proven that it is possible that another part of the brain can pick up on what that damaged section controls. Eventually, with enough practice, the other part of the brain can control something it normally wouldn’t.
An example given in the chapter is a man who loses the ability to walk because of damage to a certain part of the brain. He was able to learn to walk again, just by following the usual steps (pardon the pun) that we learn to walk. He started by learning to crawl, and using his limbs again, and eventually worked up to walking. In the process of learning to walk again, his brain was creating new neural pathways.
Another fascinating concept is constant repetition and visualization. If you want to get good at playing basketball, you have to practice. If you learn how to practice correctly (using the right moves and positions, etc) and learning to always get the ball in the hoop by doing certain things with your hands, you will experience muscle memory, in which your brain remembers how your body has to respond and they work together to get the ball in the hoop. Some basketball players may also visualize playing the game and scoring. This constant repetition and visualization will cause you to play a better game, than if you were to do without the practice and the visualizing. Constantly doing things over and over again creates neural pathways in the brain, and also contributes to muscle memory.
Thoughts and feelings may be enough to simulate practice. Thoughts are things. While one should always physically practice, our brains are very powerful and can create a game in our minds that is as real to the brain as if we are actually playing it. Our thoughts can literally change our brain. Our thoughts may even be able to create neural pathways, strengthening our brain.
If we are constantly learning new things, having new experiences, facing new situations, our brain gets stronger. It must be exercised to form new neuropathways. Creative problem solving keeps the brain young, just like physical exercise keeps the body young. So, in a stressful situation, don’t turn tail and run – face it head on and solve the problem. It’s better for you and your brain.
Hope. That is what this book has given me. All these years I thought something was wrong with me. The bullies made me feel like there was something wrong with me. Some doctors made me feel like there was something wrong with me. Some teachers made me feel like there was something wrong with me. So I believed there was something wrong with me. I know now that it’s a lie. I know that even if there’s something wrong with my brain, I know that I can change it. That gives me new hope. It means that no matter what I face, I can learn to face it. I can learn to face my fears. I can learn new things. I can face new experiences with my head held high. I can grow. I can become a better person. I can become smarter. I can do whatever I wish to achieve. I can let my creative self shine. I can be all that I want to be and more.
And you know what? So can you!
Be awesome and may your life be passionate!
