Automatic "uppers" are a must in today's world of "not enough" and our primitive mind's constantly repeating itself about supposed possible threats and trying to correct it's human by doing lots of criticism. The latter can't help but doing that (though we can train the brain so it intervenes automatically).
We have discussed having coping statements and/or automatically restating a negative to what is a more objective, kinder statement, but it is also helpful to "increase the positivity supply" in a real sense, one that also relaxes the body and increases the actual physical ability of the brain to be happy
While Facebook and such will draw the mood downward, or at least the thinking level, if one reads inspiring things in the morning (or evening or any time) one's mind will be full of good stuff - and one's threat center will be soothed into thinking "oh, great, things are calm and good." (Note that the brain will so the same thing if a person on purpose starts breathing slowly and deeply, as that is a signal to the primitive mind that there are no present dangers to be on alert for.)
If one has emails from high-minded, progressive type blogs, one's thinking, short term AND long term will have much more peacefulness, feelings of powerfulness, and positive things to think about. The effect can literally turn some people's thinking around super significantly.
I get a simple email from a daily gratitude blog. I open it even if I skip alot of other emails. It is proven that focus on gratitude rewires the brain and is a significant effector of happiness!
Though I'm emphasizing "automatic" sources, I used to (before it was emblazoned in my mind) read My Daily Reading early in the morning. I might also select pieces to read from the Gratitude Contents, Links page.
Reading, by the bedside, the various books in the Chicken Soup For The Soul is a good idea.
Even subscribing to the higher level YouTube channels offers more sources of good thinking.
You are aware by now, most likely, that those you associate with determine your level of being and of happiness. And, yes, you want to heed this very strictly in those who you associate with the most. But you can also "associate" with all of the great leaders in the success areas - by subscribing to their blog emailing lists and YouTube channels. See the list in the right hand column of the Resources For Success page.
As you go, you'll see some of the better blogs referring you to other excellent resources, so you'll add more high thinkers and good examples of happiness creating and/or highly effective people. At one end of the thinking extremes, some will like the Farnam Street Blog or Daniel Pink or perhaps one of the sites on my page on good sites.
A word of caution here. Do not depend on yourself, your memory, or for random inspiration to go to the good sites or blogs - you must set it up so it is automatic or you will lose alot by using the random approach, plus effort will dissipate or disappear without regular automatic inflows.
Other suggestions will come later, if there is interest expressed in finding more of the better resources to follow.
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A SIDE NOTE ON HOW THE BRAIN PHYSICALLY CHANGES FROM THIS!
As people meditate and/or as they think rationally there is an actual scientifically observed increase in the left prefrontal cortex in what is sometimes called the happiness center. Within that portion of the brain is a malleable "screener of the ridiculous" that also without our conscious awareness cuts off further transmission of what is nonsensical. If someone practices meditation, for instance, a brain scan will show that part of the brain getting larger (somewhat similarly to taxicab drivers whose location part of the memory increases physically). (See Why Are Buddhist Monks So Happy?)
A complainer, justifier, negative speaking person will actually cause that part of the brain to get smaller while increasing the size of the fear center (the amygdala and its buddies). And, besides perceiving a greater number of possible threats it becomes physically hypersensitive and overreactive, such that what was considered a smaller threat is now believed to be a bigger threat. Negative conversations, either inside the head or outside, are a guarantor of a worse and worse life just by decreasing the functionality of the brain!!!!
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