The Brain Catch

I was out for dinner with some close friends the other night and we were discussing those teenage days when we watched horror films with terrified excitement. I remember crazy sleepovers at my home with everyone trying to scare each other silly by wrenching someone out of sleep with light claw scrapes across our cheek. Oh how I wished I had never seen any of those films.

Why not, I hope you ask. Well, I'll let you in on a secret. Our amazing brains cannot tell the difference between what is imagined and what is real. Isn't that the delight of horror films, or perhaps all films? We get all caught up in the emotional terror (romance/excitement) of the main character from the safety of our couch. Have you ever tried to tell a five-year-old not to be afraid of Captain Cook or the boogie monster because he isn't real? Yeah, they don't get it. They are emotionally worked up into a feverish state of pure fear. There is no logic that will work to talk them out of it.

If we imagine something, then our brain works away to make it possible. Athletes use this technique all the time to picture themselves making the perfect movement. Lots of successful people visualise themselves making the exact speech or deal they want. Or imagine themselves already in the role that they desire. Our subconcious then connects the pathways to make what we imagine totally possible. Within reason, of course. No matter how much I visualise, I don't think I will ever beat Mr Bolt in a running race. But I could set myself up with a new goal, picture it happening, and let the incredible energy of my mind tick away to create opportunities.

Tell me, what do you see when you imagine yourself five years down the track? What are you telling your brain will happen? Or not happen? There are many documented cases of spontaneous healing. Just read Dr Andrew Weil's book by that name, Spontaneous Healing. It's wonderfully inspiring. Do you imagine yourself plagued by illness? Or jumping out of bed with vitality? Are you still in a job that makes the ends meet, or can you see yourself loving a different job, perhaps doing something completely different or someplace totally new? Do you see yourself still struggling to have children, or surrounded by the smiling, joyful energy of kids? What about your life partner? Are you bickering and still at odds, or is your home filled with harmony and honest, open communication?

You will know what your heart needs and wants. If you don't, then take some time to listen to the silence. Your inner voice does know. Trust it. Find a style of meditation that works for you. Meditation is spiritual gold. Consider a life coach too. We have many tricks up our sleeves to spur your heart and mind into action. I know now as an adult that my imaginative brain did not need to see images of crazy lunatics spearing kids at camp or sinking helplessly into the sand. Those were images that I most certainly did not want ever to see manifested, or even know were possible. I have a lot more fun now imagining all sorts of things I do want to happen!