Have you ever wondered about your brain and how it works?
I’m always interested in the mechanical aspects of the brain and how we are continuously challenged to become a better version of ourselves.
For clarity, I’m not studying to be a Rocket Scientist or a Neurologist.
I consider myself interested in the workings of my brain as I age because the more I know, the better I can deal with the challenges in front of me.
Today, Alzheimer’s and Dementia are so rampant and prevalent in this world. I know it’s not a matter of when you and I will lose the function of our brains, It’s a matter of being more prepared to deal with it in the future as we age.
I’m aware that there are people in this world who remain very sharp in their thinking, and then there are those we see in our lives right now with very short-term memory. In time each of us will be affected differently.
This past week, I took the challenge of replacing a Bathtub Spout with a diverter after my Grandson handed it to me.
My Grandson said he was in the shower, and it scared him because it just came off unexpectedly.
I can only imagine his heart racing with an object flying forward. I thank God he didn’t panic.
If you know anything about water, water pressure will do the unexpected if something is loose.
As I further examined the situation, I asked myself which side of my brain would figure out how to replace or turn the threads or stub out connecting the tub spout.
Imagine seeing the picture in your mind of the thinking man. You know, the one where a naked man sits on a pile of rocks. The Thinker | History, Description, & Facts | Britannica
Although I was fully clothed, I had to think for a moment to ensure that I didn’t do something that I would regret in fixing the tub spout.
Maybe, in your case, you know someone that is always overly analytical.
Analysis paralysis (or paralysis by analysis) describes an individual or group process where overanalyzing or overthinking a situation can cause forward motion or decision-making to become “paralyzed”, meaning that no solution or course of action is decided upon within a natural time frame.
I knew I could fix almost anything and took the challenge as a homeowner. Years ago, it was knowing that when I took my DISC questionnaire, I’m considered as a High C. I sometimes tend to be overly analytical when it comes down to details. DISC Assessment – Free Personality Test for Business (truity.com)
Returning to the thinker and the bathroom situation wasn’t an overly complex problem; however, I surely didn’t want to cause more damage by breaking a water pipe.
I don’t know about you, however; I’m grateful for the cognitive motor skills I’ve developed over the years, especially around the “formal operational period.”
If you have ever taken psychology, then these words should ring a bell in your thinking. If not, challenge yourself to read about Jean Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory. The formal operational period is the fourth stage of Jean Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory.
I’ve heard, read about, and seen people who can’t even change a tire because they were never challenged or shown this growing up.
I’ve taught my grandson’s many things through Psychologist Jean Piaget’s teachings.
Mainly as their Cub Master through the seven years I was in scouting.
As adults, you and I are responsible for helping with at least three of the four stages of cognitive development because each stage builds on the skills learned in the previous stage.
In case you’re wondering, Yes, we teach how to change a tire in Cub Scouts if you’re thinking that.
We start in the preoperational stage, where children often play next to each other (called parallel play); but not with each other.
Then we move to the concrete operational stage between the ages of 7 and 11. During this stage, a child develops the ability to think logically and problem-solve but can only apply these skills to objects they can physically see (concrete).
Then it’s the formal operational stage, where they learn abstract thinking and hypothetical problem-solving skills.
In the formal operational stage, deductive reasoning, or the ability to make a conclusion based on information gained from a person’s environment.
Therefore, you and I may have encountered many people who were never challenged because someone always did things for them. In short, these people never had any concrete learning to build upon.
Maya Angelou wrote that “We are all creative, but by the time we are three or four years old someone has knocked the creativity out of us. Some people shut up the kids who start to tell stories. Kids dance in their cribs, but someone will insist they sit still. By the time the creative people are ten or twelve, they want to be like everyone else.”
Whether you are a right or left-brain thinker, I would ask you to think about how organized you are and how you use your brain to solve complex problems.
I won’t insult you and ask how well you’re able to assemble IKEA furniture; because IKEA knows that a trusted professional will do the assembling for those not mechanically inclined.
Sometimes reading the directions is even a challenge for me.
Thankfully, I could replace the Tub Spout without damaging the water pipes.
Therefore, take a moment and think about how mechanically inclined you are and the last time you used your brain to fix something in your home.
You and I must care for our brains and understand its importance when doing various tasks.
How much does a human brain typically weigh? – Morgridge Institute for Research
You and I need our brains daily to decide our quality of life.
One could argue that the brain is a great equalizer.
Today, I want you to “keep challenging yourself to think better, do better, and be better.”
How well you understand yourself is so important.
On this day, dare to dream big and dare to challenge yourself.
“Keep challenging yourself to think better, do better, and be better.” — Robin Sharma
I accepted the challenge, will you?
