Neuroplasticity
Among
other things, neuroplasticity means that emotions such as happiness and compassion
can be cultivated in much the same way that a person can learn through
repetition to play golf and basketball or master a musical instrument, and that
such practice changes the activity and physical aspects of specific brain
areas.”
Andrew Weil
I have
been sewing since I was a teenager—and that was a long, long time ago. But it
was not until recently that I made an important decision. In the past, when something
wasn’t going the way I wanted, I simply put it aside or threw it away and started
over. I have many remnants of unfinished projects in my bins of fabric. But a
few years ago, I decided not to quit when something does not please me. I keep
going, I make changes, I re-work, and I add to pieces until they do please me.
Maybe that sounds simple to you, but it wasn’t for me because I was so judgmental
about myself and my work. I have found over the years, however, that regardless
of what you are attempting to do, practice really does make perfect—or at
least, perfect enough. My rule now, is just keep going.
Until
relatively recently, we believed that adult brain cells, neurons, could not be
replaced or repaired if they were damaged or lost. Now we know that, like everything
else in our bodies, our brain cells find work arounds; they make new synaptic
connections, grow extra dendrites, and eventually overcome certain types of
damage. We see this when stroke patients regain functioning. This sort of brain
restructuring usually happens in response to learning and experience. If we
keep on learning, keep on practicing, and don’t give up, our brains reward us
with new abilities.
Dr. Andrew
Weil says that happiness is a skill and as such requires time and effort. We must
practice happiness if we want to master it. Just like any other skill, we get
better over time so that what feels awkward and forced in the beginning,
becomes our natural response to life. I’ll admit that this is easier for people
who are optimistic by nature, but even pessimists have brain plasticity. What
makes the difference is summoning the will, and the grit required make the
change.
We have
been living under a cloud of unhappiness for some time now, especially since
Covid 19 arrived on the scene. But we don’t help ourselves or anyone else by
being constantly in the dumps. These are hard times, there is no doubt about
that. But our bad mood makes everything worse. It would behoove us all to
practice happiness until we lift the heaviness we feel. One way to help with
this is focusing on the breath. Dr. Weil says that if he were to give one piece
of advice for the health of humanity, it would be to learn how to breathe, and
to practice deep cleansing breaths every day. And, while we are practicing our deep
breath in, and slow exhale out, we think positive thoughts. Here’s a mantra for
practice: “I breathe in with joy. I breathe out with gladness.” Slow and
steady, y’all. Have a happy day.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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