I saw the Neurologist this morning. We had an unusual conversation. We talked about gratitude. I learned some interesting facts. Most of our conversation was taking place around the concepts of past, present and future. They are doing more and more research on the way the mind works.
I think this is a very important direction for neurology to go into. So little is really known about how our minds work. How do each of us learn best? How do we survive trauma and violence? What can we learn about how to deal with mental illness and the part it plays in violence in our world? Why are some people drawn to violence and some completely repulsed.
They know some victims of violence, have a brain that rewrites itself. It goes around the areas damaged by the pain, trauma and fear in the past. But do they all rewrite the same? Probably not, because some abused children become serial killers and some are good citizens who care about others.
Writing is one thing that scientists suggest as a way to deal with the traumas in our lives. When you sit down to write and put pen to paper, what comes out is the real truth and sometimes what we aren’t aware of on a conscious level. Free writing is putting pen to paper and just write without stopping. Write for thirty minutes. If you hit a block, write stuck, stuck, stuck until the words begin to flow again.
Scientists are doing case studies about going back to basics. To start at the very beginning. To go into a meditative state. Breathe in and out slowly and put your awareness on how the breath flows, how your heart is beating and how your lungs are taking in air and pushing used air out. As you finish the outbreath and are beginning to take your next in breath say thank you with an open heart. The thank you is for the fact that your body works. There may be parts that are not working right, but the basics work. Your body will take you where you need to go. Even if it constantly hurts, it is still working and you are here. So thank you is all that is required from you. It is pretty easy, yet it effects your mind and how your subconscious works.
The subconscious mind lets go of pain, trauma and fear. The future becomes brighter and manageable. The scientists have determined that chromosomes elongate and we begin to feel younger. I don’t think any of us would mind feeling younger.
Namaste to everyone.
Feeling a little bit younger is good.
idealisticrebel 
OH wow I love this Barb. It is so so true! Children of child abuse do rewrite and also some forget completely! I love this, perhaps this is why I journal like crazy all day long and also blog art and stuff like crazy. I need to get my crazy out! 😀 Not really I don’t think I’m crazy but sometimes my thoughts are! I love this Barb. May I reblog it?
First, you are not crazy. Second, yes you can and thank you. Hugs, Barbara
I love that thank you Barbara. I say that a lot and then I thought oh wow I better let you know I don’t think I’m crazy but my thoughts are! 😀 I love this!
Reblogged this on Tell me about it and commented:
I love that Barbara is so wonderfully supportive and always reflags her fellow bloggers posts! I love this one about the mind! I know you will too! ❤
What an awesome blog you have! I am following you!
Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy meeting all the people in our WordPress family. Peace and Hugs, Barbara
Great post…even with my chronic pain I am grateful that I can actually still FEEL. 🙂 blessings and thank you for this post.
People could write books about gratitude and still never do it justice. You are correct about abused children being different; some come away almost completely unscathed and others suffer their entire lives. Unfortunately, I fall into the latter and tend to relive the hurt and anger.
This past week my printer malfunctioned and I blew up even though it was such a stupid thing. Children without resilience react this way – like I did. I know and understand all this.
Another thought runs on a continuous loop in my brain… People say, “You were abused years ago but you are an adult now so get over it already.” I can’t seem to get past the abuse and I resent the ‘just get over it’ command, as though it did not happen.
To try and not let this get me down I attempt to stay in the light – to focus on the positive but once in a while it is more than I can deal with. I either fall apart or I stay busy. The past few years I’ve stayed busy on average 16 to 18 hours a day. Today was hard, I woke up with pain and had a regular checkup to do but all day long the pain increased. Once I got home I let the tears go. Writing helps. Staying focused helps. Reading helps. Deep breathing helps. Tylenol did nothing today when the pain usually subsides in half an hour.
You are positive and I can count on you to be in the light. You are positive and I really need that.
Hugs to you, Barbara. ❤
I wrote a related post on my blog today about journaling, either written or visual. My visual journal is helping me release my inner demons from my past. Great post Barb!
Great article, Barbara. The attitude of gratitude definitely works, I know from experience. But I didn’t know it elongates the chromosomes and we feel a bit younger. Well, I’ll practise it then twice as much. 🙂
HUgs ❤ Irina
It is what my doc told me and I thought that is pretty impressive. Meditation can be seen on EEG’s to slow the brain rate, and heart rate. There is so much we don’t know. Hugs, Barbara
Yes, writing is so incredibly helpful, much more helpful than it seems such a simple activity would be. So glad we all have blogs!
I needed to read this today, even if I have heard similar ideas before. It always helps to be reminded and to reinforce those ideas. Thank you.
Even just a few minutes of meditation each day brings huge benefits.
What a fascinating post Barbara, thank you. ❤
This is a remarkable post. Thank you for sharing!
Great post Barbara:)
Thanks very much Gigi. Hugs, Barbara
Beautiful post Barbara. It is so true that writing is cathartic. It keeps me sane, especially writing in memoir. 🙂