Friday, June 19, 2015

Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

I recall being a young kid and seeing a popular motivational poster in school offices, and lunch rooms, and the like. It said, "Attitude is Everything". The older I get the more I believe in that corny piece of propaganda little quote. Seriously. Just like the Bob Marley quote in the title. We all gotta get wet every now and then... why not at least try to enjoy the feeling, or enjoy the journey through the rain... or something.

I heard a story of Thomas Edison the other day. Thomas Edison apparently espoused an idea known as "Amor fati". The Love of Fate, or the Love of ones own fate. Basically in all things to experience a piece and love of what is happening, because it was meant to happen.... or something like that.... I don't know the deep details... but the main concept I particularly enjoy. The story teller told about Edison's factory catching fire, which was hardly insured due to over confidence in their concrete buildings. However Edison seemed to almost enjoy and was said to tell his son to get his mother so they can "enjoy the splendid colors of green and blue fire" that was consuming what was once his factory.

Like going on a zen-like walk.... whatever that means exactly. To me it means flowing through life like water gently makes it way to the sea. Not in hurry, not too slow.... just in time, and just right. And of course with a slow and steady current plenty can be accomplished in reasonable time. And we can all agree on the benefits of consistency and reliability. I can really get into these types of zones when doing mechanical type work while listening to some mood enhancing music or a good audio book. Getting into the "zone" is something I find myself continually trying to do.... and it pops up in all sorts of my activities. Programming, working on cars.... heck even in the mornings when I have a cup of coffee or tea and listen to some music, and write my ideas down.... wooo I love that zone... :-)

Every little thing is going to be alright. I remember, several years ago, being depressed and hearing thoughts like this.... and thinking... man I wish... but geez luiz.... I really do think it's true. If you don't think it is... you are certainly blowing problems out of proportion. This is probably what depression is. It's when there is some sort of chemical or other reason that you start blowing all sorts of problems out of proportion. Hmm.... interesting idea.

Lately, I've really been enjoying idea's from Simon Sinek.  Particularly this talk where he discusses neuro-transmitters and their role in happiness. Keep your brains healthy people... we don't talk about brain health enough, but it's just as important perhaps more important than the physical part of health, and of course very connected.  I love to discover new information about how the brain works, as it helps me to keep mine in optimal condition.  But not only that.  When we have a better understanding of how we work as an animal or creation or whatever... we are better able to manage/lead/govern our selves, and others.

Okay, back to the "Attitude is everything" concept I opened with.  I could say all sorts of cliche, corny things... like you can't control things that happen to you, but you can control you attitude... but I don't want to hit that horse right now.  I want to focus on one particular attitude.  The attitude of gratitude.  Author and self proclaimed "Why-Guy?" Tony Robbins loves to pound on the idea of developing our gratitude.  When we are grateful we can't be scared... when we are grateful we get hopeful.  Fearlessness and hope are pretty powerful concepts.  But not only that....

My postulate is that when we develop an attitude of gratitude we are actually increasing our "self-less neuro-transmitters", serotonin and oxytocin.  And according to Sinek, the build up of these chemicals cause us to desire (for happiness mind you) to work together and sacrifice for our own personal gain for the gain of the group.   Along with feelings of belonging, and trust, and fulfillment.   It's pretty remarkable really.  The concept that Robbins has been espousing for years, may just now be getting some scientific backing... of course it would not be the first time.  He also espouses posture and movement and it's relationship to health... which was recently backed by reproducible clinical studies.

Anyways, that all be said.  Be grateful... it's for your health!  :-)  But seriously... it may just be a great way to "hack" your neurology.   As far as I am concerned I know that after hearing and doing a bit of my own research, I do believe that these "self-less chemicals" are something that I want more of.

Interesting idea that a bit of "good living" (being good to your neighbor, loving, trust... and all that feel good stuff) is actually connected to generating these chemicals.  I think that people who have done incredible good via personal sacrifice, or great lengths of love, are actually those who have formed a strong enough neural network.  A neural network with habit loops which are rewarded and continue to get rewarded at not only at a philosophical or even a physiological level, but rather at the core biological level. 

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