September 30th, 2017

Now why didn’t I think of that?

It was my birthday earlier this week. In a sign of the times, this was the first year that I didn’t receive a single card through the post! I did get Text messages, emails Facetime and phone calls - so don’t be too upset for me (but you can send me an email if you REALLY want to!)
But it got me thinking ....
How do we communicate our emotions to our nearest and dearest? Words and pictures immediately come to mind, and I suppose that with the amazing ability to communicate these days, we have become incredibly efficient at expressing our affections in 140 characters or in a 5 second VImeo clip. So why is it that I hanker after the “old days” when people made cards and delivered them in person when they could; or posted them so that they’d be there on the day? The answer is that I am an emotional person and my emotions have a powerful impact on me - sometimes for the good, and sometimes not-so-good!
But there are hundreds of millions of people ‘out there’ who don’t rely on their emotions. They are much more “rational’ in their ways of thinking. So why the difference?
Well it appears that our brains hold the answer to all that.
According to many well credentialed experts, not only is our brain divided into two halves but they are also both physically and functionally different. Yet despite their differences, the two halves normally work in harmony thus allowing us to acheive to our potential.
The not-so-good news is that some experts believe that our “functional/rational” side of the brain has gained too much superiority and is threatening to drown the more “creative/reflective” side of our brain. And why is that so important?
Because if we do become more and more “rational” and “scientific” in our our decision making, then the “philosophical/creative” side of our societies will be squeezed out: which may account for the current level of debate on any subject where people retreat to their “fixed views,” whilst shouting insults at each other from the safety of “same thinkers.”
Which brings me on to writing and reading.
It is so important that we encourage our young folk to read a wide selection of books from fairy tales to the classics, from Sci-Fi to poetry, and as they grow let them explore religions, philosophy and other cultures. Our brains are incredible and well able to cope with it all. In fact, it has been suggested that there are more connections within the brain than there are particles in the WHOLE universe!
So the message is, let our brains soak up all those amazing facts, but let it also reflect on what it has learned and use that knowledge to the betterment of our whole society. And that means listening and growing from what you can learn from those who think differently, look different and believe different things. But in order to do that you must have an OPEN mind.
On the home front, between travel, birthdays and work, I have been able to take up the keyboard again and start back working on my latest book - Mentor -.