How'd that happen?

Lu, just moments before,  was heading in a straight line down the street. And then, within seconds, ended up looking like this. She thinks she's a snow shovel and runs her face along in the snow. But there's that pesky leash...

Some Last Thoughts

It's clear from some of your comments, that this is a subject people are thinking about. How about this: The mind is something that does not age. Those little old ladies you see walking with their walkers - are thinking the same way you are. At least, they are thinking the same way they always thought. The mind does not have a "little old lady" version of itself. It was the same as a child, as it is as a retiree. I don't know about you, but that came as a shock to me. As a young woman, I viewed aging as something that happened to every part of self. It is true of the brain, and all other bodily parts. But the mind stays the same.

Think about it. Do you "think" any different now then you did ten years ago? (I know you are probably wiser, and more mature, but I'm talking about the "voice" in your head - is it ten years older?)

So if the mind is an interaction of the brain and the spirit - is it our soul?  

Our Reptilian Overlord - Part 2 of 2

Many parts of the brain evolved after the "reptilian". And to keep it simple, I will just say that the "mind" is the result of the functioning of the brain. I believe that we are spiritual beings, therefore I am of the "Dualist" school of thought, i.e., the mind is the interaction of brain and spirit. 

I think of the mind as the "drama queen" of friends. You know the one. She often overreacts to information, dramatizes, and disses. She never lets go of a topic, even if it is hurtful. She talks, talks, talks, long after you wish she would just be quiet. (Especially when you are trying to go to sleep.) She can be repetitive and scary. She has some really terrifying stories to tell of what could happen to you. On the other hand, when she is feeling good about herself, she is a best friend. If you can let her know when she is out of line, she calms down, and does what you need her to do. But she's not easy to control.

So how does that relate to the "reptilian overlord"? 

When our senses detect something as dangerous, such as the loss of our retirement, or a desirable woman your husband notices, or that scary man in the alley, it sends signals to your brain that interacts with your friend, getting her all worked up. As she goes into full-on drama mode your body responds with appropriate hormonal activity. Now here is the catch, the brain doesn't know the difference between something made up, (imagined), and something that is actually happening. But that's another story. Suffice to say, when the more basic part of our brain is activated, we can respond in ways that our more reasonable parts are quite shocked at, mainly because our "dramatic" friend is egging us on. The trick is to know when she is right and you better listen, when she needs to calm down and be quiet, and when to run. 

Our Reptilian Overlord - Part 1 of 2

I have been re-immersed into the world of the mind. I studied "The Mind" many years ago, but have found so much new information, now I feel compelled to take another look. It's a fascinating subject.

Did you know most decisions have already been made about most things before the conscious part of your brain gets the message? Our, once-called reptilian brain, or ventral palladium, has already made the decision, before you have time to think about it.

Did you know that unconscious goals are often stronger than our conscious goals because we have no way of moderating stuff we are not conscious of ? Think about that. We have unconscious goals that are stronger than our conscious ones.

Did you know that we can be "primed" to react a certain way by a smell, or object? (And, no, by the way, the old story about the movie theater that flashed a subliminal message to buy popcorn and coke, never happened. The theatre operator admitted he lied to increase sales of coke and popcorn.) Nonetheless, test subjects that had a briefcase in their hands acted differently than those that didn't. They were more competitive and selfish. Could the Wall Street debacle have been different if all the bankers wore shorts and flip flops? 

All of these things have one thing in common - our most primitive part of our brains. It controls our breathing, body temperature, sexual behavior. It is instinctive and automatic. It has remained unchanged by evolution and it sits in the middle of our brains. It tells us when to flee, fight, and eat. It's motto is "might is right."

But how is it connected to our thoughts? 

Cheese & ADD

I have two major struggles going on right now. I have not finished one book I have started, and they now number four and rising, and I want cheese on everything. It is almost like I have ADD. My attention is easily diverted. It can go from thinking about one thing and then flip to another channel. As for reading, it is near impossible to read for longer than a few minutes before I find my eyes looking out the window, thinking about the exercise I should, and am not getting, or better yet, the housework that should be done today. In the meantime, everything I eat, I want cheese on it. From the breakfast omelette, with Swiss or Gruyere sauteed with tons of veggies, to a casserole that only seems complete with lots of melty cheese, to a snack of  low-fat (now that's a hoot) triscuitt and  sharp cheddar cheese (melted, of course).

I am well aware that cheese is not low-calorie, and should be used in moderation. But it is comfort food. And for most of us living in the US, we really want to be comforted. My daughters are both trying to not eat any cheese. That's probably what I should do, too. Cold turkey. But along with salt, cheese is a too big a part of my diet. If I must, it will need to be in stages. I wouldn't want dt's from cheese withdrawal.

As for the reading, I am going to put off any blogging, reading of bloggs, or mining of the newspapers until I have read at least one chapter each morning. (Ummm will have to start tomorrow as I am already blogging...) I think I will start with my book that has a spiritual bent. Let's start off on the right foot, then onto the book teaching me how the "tipping point" in society works, followed by "The Bridge of Sighs" which is a "happy to go along" book. In the evening I can read my psychological thriller. It is always best to read those when you can reach over and touch your husband. Maybe my ADD will be cured with a little discipline. Then again, maybe my ADD is just cabin fever, and the only cure for that is Spring.

Remodel Contd. - Closet across from dining table - used mostly for "stuff"

New Closet Area - Hubby loves wine fridge