The human brain is magnificent;
it’s a real work of art. I say art because even today we are unaware of its
real potential, its real power. It is not a machine, like all works of art, it
depends on the beholder to derive little or more form this incredible organ.
The human brain, where responsible for a complex number of functions is the
home to a magnificent talent; recalling moments or experiences we call “memories”.
I will not go into the science of
what a memory is; but rather what a memory does. This single most important
function makes us who we are, as individuals.
Who are we anyway? but a lot of recollections and experiences take that
away; and all other functions withstanding we will lose the essence of what it means to be“you”.
I was in the car the other day and I
heard a song I hadn’t listened to in quite a while. Instantly, I was transported back in
time…..
......I am driving the car and it’s the kind of sunny winter
morning, where you can taste the fresh crisp air, the kind of day when you feel
very, very alive. I remember the people in the car and I remember what we were
talking about; most surprisingly I remember my feelings in that particular
moment and the thoughts in my head….. I re-lived it all. Till the song came to
an end it was like I was experiencing the past and the present at once, it was
wonderful.
However this phenomenon
also works in reverse. A particular smell, sound and taste can take you back to
a very unpleasant memory stored in your head, hence we dislike certain things
based on the memories that they bring back. A juice you used to have when you
were sick; the smell of a certain incense that’s reminds you of a loss. Our
brain recollects things all day and night; moulds us, protects us rationalizes
and reasons, judges and decides based on the millions of memories, good and
bad.
I saw this movie once, "The
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind", It discusses an interesting aspect of
this brilliant organ. It explains that we will fall for the same kind of people again and again even if
our short term memory was erased and we were somehow given a clean slate. Its a great watch and one aspect of the brain I completely
agree with; our abilty to make the same choices given the chance. But I also believe that if we choose to, conscious modification of our thoughts (our
short term memory) can alter its more irrational patterns.
See, what our head
does is, it rationalizes. It justifies why it wants something or why we should
be inclined towards something or not. Understanding our own limitations;
may they be caused by some emotional trauma or child hood complex; we can break
the vicious cycle of making the perpetual bad choice. For example you have been
made to realize that you like emotionally controlling people and you can trace
a pattern where subconsciously you keep falling for the same category of people
without wanting to. What do you do? After all it is your head that attracts you
to that person, so how do you break that cycle?
The answer is, by talking to
yourself. Aloud or silently but constantly; get your head talking to your head
and somehow in all this talk create a new path for your brain to follow. I know
it sounds crazy, but it works.
Ever wonder about pathological liars;
they work on the same principal. You keep repeating a lie to yourself all the
time or remember a situation in a particular manner. You remember what you want
to remember and keep repeating the story to yourself; after a time that story
will become your truth. In the Michael Jackson murder trial, Dr. Conrad Murray
was charged with involuntary manslaughter, the man was found guilty. The Doctor
to this day pleads not guilty, psychological analysis show that he genuinely believes
he did not kill the Pop Star, he was merely doing his duty. He kept telling
himself he was doing the right thing, he believes he is innocent, in his mind
that is the truth. Lie detectors confirm the same; this is the power of the
human mind.
It is very important to sometimes
step back and view what we are constantly telling ourselves; how we are
rationalizing our actions. Listen to yourself sometimes and see what your mind
is telling you. You will be surprised by what you say all day, about work,
about people, about life. This capability, of talking to your head and changing
the thought pattern is a life changer. The only difference between an average
person and an extra ordinary one is there approach to a difficulty in their
life.
The Human mind is incredible, it believes what it believes.
