August 25, 2013
Who’d ever guess that your PFC (pre-frontal cortex) would turn out to be your BFF (best friend forever)!?
Every time you’re confronted with the possibility of an immediate reward, and you DON’T respond to it the way you usually do, you’re strengthening your PFC. And this is a really good thing. Because your PFC is the part of your brain that regulates and orchestrates thoughts and actions in line with your internal goals. It helps you get what you want!! Now the BFF thing makes sense, right?
So the next time you’re tempted to eat a forbidden food, or tell your boss what you really think of him, or stay up and watch a re-run of something you’ve already seen 14 times rather than go to bed and get a decent night’s sleep, do something – anything – different. You’ll be making either a new or a stronger connection in your brain that will propel you in the direction you want to be going.
In line with what I know about my BFF, here’s how I end my morning meditation, from something I heard Pema Chodron say:
May I see what is happening; when it happens may I do something different; may I make this a way of life.
Anything you’re willing to do different? Leave a comment and we’ll root for you!
I have always done this to some degree, as I love variety, hate boredom, am naturally (I think) iconoclastic, and love adventure, exploring, research, diversity.
This has presented me with many opportunities I may have missed if I had continued to stay in the same rut.
What can I do differently today? Hmmm…..I’ll have to think about that one, but I will be aware of what is happening…and choose differently.
I think you’ve nailed the issue. It’s noticing the unhelpful responses that we’re not even aware are unhelpful that’s the tricky part! Thanks for making it a bit clearer! Robyn
Good message.
Thanks Mike, I’m working on fewer words…hopefully shorter and sweeter :). Robyn
Thank-you Robyn! This was both interesting and helpful and ties in nicely to an inherent aspect of meditation, which is that it is non-reactive.
Yep, that’s the good news and the bad news, yes? It may be non-reactive, but we’re often not! Robyn
Hey it works, I can comment from my phone now! I always love these Robyn. I take this as being in the moment and keeping my mouth shut so I can hear and observe what I experience.
Hey Jason, yes, sometimes it’s just that simple! Robyn