Hello Everyone
This has turned into a great discussion and one that is extremely important for all of us.
Quirky, thanks for your comments. Should I put them on my wall? 😊
The eternal battle between head and heart. I find when I really look at a situation that my heart is often right and the brain is taking the easy way out by switching to the default mode. This is where neuroplasticity comes in.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways and change how its circuits are wired; neurogenesis is the even more amazing ability of the brain to grow new neurons. I had a quick search and Mr Google came up with this. It's often something we can do ourselves. Instead of turning left at the pub turn right. It needs lots of repetition, repetition, repetition. Whoops, needle stuck.
It's that constant conversation we have with ourselves about our failures in life. Rather than try to push the thoughts away, which is hard work, we must think of something different to say. Even the situation you are in can be a lesson. You may not want to brag about it but you can allow a feeling of satisfaction to thread through your body and remember that. So next time you slip into default mode, make yourself remember this feeling or any other accomplishment.
The default path is a well-worn track while the path to reasonableness is overgrown and we cannot see the path. By constantly changing direction and walking on the new path, which will be well worn eventually, the old path becomes overgrown. That's my description of the brain. No doubt anyone with more knowledge will roll round the floor laughing. Whoops, that thought is unkind, what can I put in its place. Ah yes, Quirky's comment.
Apart from my flippancy I think this is what we must and do it frequently, preferably every time Jessica pops up her head. Grandy, do you mind if I use your idea? It will take time and I know from my own experience that getting tired of the constant rebuttals can make us stop for a while. When you have had a rest you can start again. The beauty of this is being more accomplished each time we pick ourselves up and start from where we left off. Yeeeaay!
Mary