Having a Heart in a Sometimes Heartless World
Day 195 – Benefits of brain renovation
Scripture focus: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
In 2008 Tiger Woods won the U. S. Open on one leg. Injured, and advised to take it easy – the guy went out and won a tournament even though he was in the play-offs and had to pay an extra nineteen holes of golf! During this tournament, an interview with Tiger’s father, Earl, was played repeatedly. Basically, his father goes on record and reports that he not only taught Tiger how to swing a club, he taught him how to train his brain. He told his boy, “You will never, ever play against anyone who is as mentally tough as you.” The U. S. Open of 2008 proved Earl Woods to be a prophet.
How does one strengthen their mind, and improve the performance of their body?
“Although feelings and thoughts seem intangible, the brain is active anytime we feel or think anything. That activity can then lead to a cascade of changes in the body. The brain, as you know, regulates the heart, the gastrointestinal system, the lungs, and probably the immune system, and each change in the brain can lead to a sequence of changes throughout the body that can have an impact on health.” Healing and the Mind, by Bill Moyers, p.209
Evidently, it matters what you think. But this isn’t just about positive thinking. There’s more to the story!
“A fascinating aspect of all this interaction, and something you really need to be aware of, is that even though you can be presented with evidence that something is true, you won’t really believe it, unless you feel that it is true. It may be reasonable, logical, scientifically proven or just plain common sense, but you won’t believe it unless your brain’s limbic system (the seat of your emotions) allows you to feel that it is true. Your emotions are not separate, but rather enmeshed in the neural networks of reason in your mind.” Who switched off my brain? p.36
One of the ways we sharpen our mind is learning how to be present in the moment. The brain encodes every life experience with our five senses, with thoughts and feelings. If we’re distracted, disconnected, frustrated, and agitated – we miss important cues. From my perspective, when I’m freaked out, insecure, neurotic and emotional (F.I.N.E.) – those are the times I miss God moments.
For me, stillness is exceedingly important in the brain renovation process. We need time every day for stillness. Stillness provides time for the brain to focus. It promotes creativity. It encourages the experiencing of God moments. I pray that you will find some time each day to be still. (Let me remind you that when we figure out that we don’t have to do everything well, we don’t get distracted because we’re aggravated when others don’t treat us well, and when we realize life isn’t easy – all that renewed thinking frees up time for stillness.)
Recommended reading: 1 Chronicles 16 and 17 in the morning; Psalm 6 and 7 in the evening
In 2008 Tiger Woods won the U. S. Open on one leg. Injured, and advised to take it easy – the guy went out and won a tournament even though he was in the play-offs and had to pay an extra nineteen holes of golf! During this tournament, an interview with Tiger’s father, Earl, was played repeatedly. Basically, his father goes on record and reports that he not only taught Tiger how to swing a club, he taught him how to train his brain. He told his boy, “You will never, ever play against anyone who is as mentally tough as you.” The U. S. Open of 2008 proved Earl Woods to be a prophet.
How does one strengthen their mind, and improve the performance of their body?
“Although feelings and thoughts seem intangible, the brain is active anytime we feel or think anything. That activity can then lead to a cascade of changes in the body. The brain, as you know, regulates the heart, the gastrointestinal system, the lungs, and probably the immune system, and each change in the brain can lead to a sequence of changes throughout the body that can have an impact on health.” Healing and the Mind, by Bill Moyers, p.209
Evidently, it matters what you think. But this isn’t just about positive thinking. There’s more to the story!
“A fascinating aspect of all this interaction, and something you really need to be aware of, is that even though you can be presented with evidence that something is true, you won’t really believe it, unless you feel that it is true. It may be reasonable, logical, scientifically proven or just plain common sense, but you won’t believe it unless your brain’s limbic system (the seat of your emotions) allows you to feel that it is true. Your emotions are not separate, but rather enmeshed in the neural networks of reason in your mind.” Who switched off my brain? p.36
One of the ways we sharpen our mind is learning how to be present in the moment. The brain encodes every life experience with our five senses, with thoughts and feelings. If we’re distracted, disconnected, frustrated, and agitated – we miss important cues. From my perspective, when I’m freaked out, insecure, neurotic and emotional (F.I.N.E.) – those are the times I miss God moments.
For me, stillness is exceedingly important in the brain renovation process. We need time every day for stillness. Stillness provides time for the brain to focus. It promotes creativity. It encourages the experiencing of God moments. I pray that you will find some time each day to be still. (Let me remind you that when we figure out that we don’t have to do everything well, we don’t get distracted because we’re aggravated when others don’t treat us well, and when we realize life isn’t easy – all that renewed thinking frees up time for stillness.)
Recommended reading: 1 Chronicles 16 and 17 in the morning; Psalm 6 and 7 in the evening
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