Rewiring the Brain
Do you remember a time when your behavior disappointed you? How about when you noticed your thoughts were bringing you down? For most of my adult life those are things I learned to pay attention to. Are my thoughts limiting me or did my behavior result in negative consequences? I think you might agree, this happens to most of us at some point in our life journey.
A burning question that I went back and forth with was, “Can we rewire our brains to change thoughts or behaviors when they are not working for us?”
In the 90's I discovered neuroscience. Specifically, cognitive neuroscience, which focuses on how brain function creates thought and behavior. It is amazing how something so light, the brain weighing in at only 3 pounds, and making up only 2% of our total body weight, daily has the power to influence how we think and how we act.
I was spellbound when I recently heard about Dr. W. Lee Warren talk about our ability to rewire our brains. He is a neurosurgeon, podcaster, speaker and author of, “The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery,” He seems to weave together neuroscience, scripture and faith to help people take practical steps toward a healthier more hopeful life. His science backed approach demonstrates the possibility of rewiring the brain for focus, resilience and hope, from floundering to flourishing.
Dr. Warren was a combat neurosurgeon in Iraq who came home with PTSD in 2005 and his marriage was falling apart. In 2013 he experienced unimaginable grief, sadness, hopelessness and a loss of faith when his nineteen year old son Mitchell was murdered. In spite of all that, he believes “We are never stuck with the brain we have or the genes we inherit.” He also believes, “You can't change your life until you change your mind.” Makes sense to me! It does seem possible that thriving, flourishing and living a good life might be enhanced as we become more skillful at managing our thoughts and behavior... not ignoring them.
I was fascinated to read about Warren's simple 2 minute daily journal practice that he teaches along with other principles and core exercises to rewire the brain. Regardless of one's spiritual or religious leanings, it seems like a journaling practice would be harmless. We know that putting pen to paper triggers a coordinated network of brain responses that transforms how we process emotions and memories. It invites us to pause and notice what is going on. A first step to rewiring the brain.
THE PRACTICE:
Daily, ask yourself what 3 things you thought about most frequently and write those down.
At the end of the week, read what you wrote and ask yourself, “Are these thoughts I would choose to become?”
Depending on your answer you might have some idea of your next step. Keep doing what you have been doing and be unhappy...or consider getting some help. That could mean reaching out to a therapist, your pastor/priest/rabbi, a trusted friend or begin your own deep dive into self-help courses or books... or something else entirely that assists you in rewiring your brain.