Rebooting Your Programming

I wondered how stuck in a belief or reaction my thoughts are programmed for? Was I virtually hardwired?  With decades of my neural pathways covering the same ground, the brain takes the easiest and fastest response. If my mind works like my computer, it goes to the default choice automatically. Altering that action requires my conscious effort to stop, and consider, WHAT IF I chose a different path? Is there a practical method to re-think how I think?

A word I’ve coined, and a group of messages, came to me in a meditation. ENVISITUDE, new term, was a beginning.  Envision means “cause to be” in Latin. Common definitions include; to form a mental picture, foresee, ponder, reflect, conceive or contemplate. Attitude refers to a settled way of thinking, a predisposition, and may be a positive or negative action.

What did I need to consider if I wanted to re-boot my brain but to a different program? This is what emerged.

1. OUR THOUGHTS ARE POWERFUL

2. FREE WILL IS NOT ENOUGH

3. MUST DUCT TAPE THE EGO

4. KNOWLEDGE DOESN’T LEAD TO SUCCESS

5. REFRESH CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

The whole idea now felt complicated. So what did my programmed mind immediately seek? The Silver Bullet of course. The shortcut to a solution, a miraculous fix. Then I realized where that automatic belief sprang from. Drug and supplement companies “coughed” up pills as their silver bullets. The promise of getting better, stronger and living longer is deeply embedded in our cultures and our brain. Their strategy has seemed to produce more human medical issues than ever before. Maybe the solution had to come from within me. What could I do without resorting to a counselor’s couch, hallucinogenic, or those plant infused cookies and brownies I mentioned in last weeks article? I loved the TV Lone Ranger but a silver bullet wasn’t the answer.

Sadly, we get really set in our ways…especially reacting. I wanted to learn how to modify or develop new neural pathways? When does this often occur? A little science should be interjected here.

Our brain’s neuroplasticity works in our favor when we regularly reinforce happiness, love, patience, compassion and generosity. Yet negative emotions get programmed too. Anger and jealousy, for example, springs from our subconscious as powerful feelings. Our conscious level is where new and creative ideas and behavior can happen. Research confirms that we are conscious only 5% in our activities. If we understand how our beliefs are formed, we can, with practice, change our thoughts and attitudes.

I’ve considered various credible studies. There are some nearly universal concepts we can apply to help alter our thoughts and attitudes. Not in a priority order…here they are.

1. COMITTMENT: When we want a better computer program we decide to change it, and download a new one.
2. KNOW YOUR INTENTION: By stating aloud, and writing down that I have a clear purpose, my subconscious is alert to what I want. The mind/body connection is powerful.
3. SET THE STAGE: Positive thinking is the attitude change we want most. So, reduce exposure to negative news and people, critics, and complainers. Their anger or frustration is within themselves, and not our problem. As we’re more relaxed, we “inhale” what is successful, beautiful and creative. Exhale our negative thoughts and we become more conscious.
4. STAY IN THE PRESENT: While our subconscious gets used to the new pathway, we want to stay focused on now.
5. MY BELIEF: It is not about WHAT we think…It is more critical  to strongly believe that my goal is to transform HOW I think.   
6. ON SEEMINGLY IMPORTANT ISSUES: Ask yourself, over and over: WHY?…until the answer and feeling is right.
7. REMEMBER: Our rational mind is limited by childhood experiences and the inherited beliefs of parents, teachers and religious leaders.  Altering any major belief is a huge achievement! Be proud for even small steps and changes.
8. SLEEP is critical: Practice eight hours of sleep…Our two stages of sleep help the body recover and remove waste from our brain.
9. Most scientists and progressive medical professionals confirm  that our thoughts are powerful triggers and can improve our health and quality of life. We have the ability to better manage  our thoughts. Our thoughts become our reality.
10. The Dalai Lama reminds us: “The goal is not to be better than the other man, but to better your previous self.”  In this holiday season of faith and gratitude, we are so blessed to enjoy the warmth of the Vallarta community. Whatever your beliefs are, be joyful and generous, it is contagious.