Your Brain Pays Attention to your Words

We have learned recently that your brain and mine don't deteriorate with age. As a matter of fact, it is exciting to learn that the brain grows and expands every day. Our brain is flexible. We can make it light up and
respond to our words. Giving our brain positive messages works. It is important to thank our brain for every positive response we get.

Here are some words that I say to my brain:
THANK YOU, DEAR BRAIN, FOR GIVING ME ANOTHER DAY.
THANK YOU, DEAR BRAIN, FOR HELPING ME WALK.
THANK YOU, DEAR BRAIN, FOR HELPING ME PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER.
THANK YOU, DEAR BRAIN, FOR HELPING ME ENJOY ALL THE BEAUTY AROUND ME.
THANK YOU, DEAR BRAIN, FOR HELPING ME APPRECIATE THE KINDNESS THAT OTHERS SHOW ME.
THANK YOU, DEAR BRAIN, FOR GIVING ME ANOTHER DAY SO
I CAN SHOW LOVE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.

Please take the time to tell your brain to help you. And be sure to thank it when it responds to your requests.

Here are the names of competent professionals who have studied the
brain and know that what I'm telling you is the "emus". In Jewish that
means "the truth".

Dr. Ed Diener and his son, Robert Biswas-Diener, "Happiness" Blackwell Publishing, 2008.

Dr. Norman Dodge, "The Brain that Changes Itself" Viking, 2007

Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, "The How of Happiness" Penquin Press, 2007

In his new book, Dr. Derek Bok, the former president of Harvard University, writes: It is not unreasonable for government to provide some simple way to help the mentally ill. (The Politics of Happiness: What Government Can Learn from the New Research on Well-Being, Princeton Press 2009)

Recently, (March, 2010) Oprah Winfrey talked to Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk for more than 60 years. She heard him tell her that people need not sacrifice the present for the future. He made it clear that it is today that matters--not tomorrow. He said, "Life is available only in the present. That is why we should walk in such a way that every step can bring us to the here and now." His words were like music to my ears.

Enjoy the moment. Enjoy this blog. Enjoy yourself. You deserve pleasure. Experience it right now. You are helping your brain to light up with joy and that is so good for you.

A recent study by Columbia University showed that if we want to have a healthy heart, it helps to be happy. "If you aren't naturally a happy person, just try acting like one," said Dr. Karina Davidson of Columbia University Medical Center. "It could help your heart."

I still remember when I was a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, I was told by one of my psychology professors, "IAnn Ruben, if you fake it long enough, I promise you that eventually you'll make it." He was absolutely right when he told me that and I've tried it. Believe me it works.
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