Our brains are fascinating machines.  Biological computers that not only store and sort information, but they process data and support multiple systems and functions.  They allow for thought and movement and creation and order.  They can be a place of absolute chaos as well, there is no doubt about that. The brain is responsible for all function.  It’s amazing how a mass of matter with no way to move or protect itself, something that can’t live on its own outside of our bodies, is responsible for life as we experience it and perceive it.  The brain tells us our story, how we feel about it and how we navigate it.  Why do some people get to be the hero in their lives while others are their own worst enemy?  What makes some people capable of going after everything they want and others feel stuck in the mud?  At the end of the day, how does a blob that essentially sends neurological impulses (granted very complex impulses and functions) determine the course and quality of our lives? Through evolution we now have enough capacity in those impulses to ask those questions and even to find the answers.   

For as advanced as our brains our, sometimes the thoughts behind it aren’t quite so evolved.  Sometimes we forget that we have the ability to channel those thoughts and our focus and to manage our energy.  I spent a lot of my life sloppily navigating through the day, responding to the whims of my emotions, fearful of how people around me would treat me.  I created scenarios in my mind long before anything happened, trying to protect myself in whatever way I could.  I am not unique in that regard.  We can’t live in our heads.  I saw a reference to an old Malcolm In the Middle episode where Reese joins the army and he states that  he managed to complete all of his tasks perfectly because he stopped using his brain and just followed the steps he was given.  He said thinking is what caused all of his problems in life and that if he stopped using his brain he would be happy.  If he could stop thinking he’d be happy.  The scene/show itself is played out with facetiousness but the concept of not thinking and getting out of our heads struck me. 

I don’t advocate for mindlessly/blindly following anything—we were given the capacity to think and to have different thoughts and ideas from each other (as well as the ability to see different sides) and to discuss them—there is no reason why we should follow anyone without question or on someone else’s agenda.  But the part that we should consider/remind ourselves about from time to time is that the world happens outside of our head.  We can spin our thoughts any which way a million times over again, expending that energy doing nothing other than creating a scenario only we see in our minds.  We make up our minds before we even experience the thing.  Other times we confuse what’s happening with how we feel about it—feelings are not facts.  The fact is we may feel a certain way, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean that’s what actually occurred, and we need to understand the difference.  Other times we feel like we need to know all the answers before we can do anything or we feel like we have to do all the things.  For as smart as we are, we aren’t omniscient.  It isn’t our job to get things perfect the first time out.  Sometimes we have to separate ourselves from what we are thinking and just get in the moment and do something.      

The brain is an amazing tool and it has the power to propel us forward or keep us frozen in place based on our thoughts.  It is capable of learning rules and systems in addition to its own innate functions and we can manage those rules.  We can add new input that changes the course of our lives and the course of others lives as well.  But we can’t get stuck in there.  Sometimes we have to accept what is and go with it, other times we can make some changes and try again, and other times we have to recognize when we are fighting a losing battle and change course entirely.  So while I don’t advocate for blindly following what people tell us to do or how we feel, I sincerely do advocate for learning when it’s appropriate to shut off for a while and simply go with what we have in front of us.  No analysis, no fear, no thought—just do it.  Just make a move and see what comes of it.  There comes a point where the only option we will have is to move.  We don’t have to know the outcome 20 steps from now, we simply have to be where we are and take the next step. Sometimes we just have to do and we are all the happier for it because we aren’t trapped in our minds.