What if you were to change your mind completely? Does this scare or excite you? Aren’t you tired of living in the same room, in the same house, in the same street, in the same town, in the same country, doing the same work, with the same people? No wonder you are feeling bored, exhausted, disappointed and frustrated. The most amazing thing about being human is to change your mind. Neurogenesis tells us that every single day of our lives, our brains produce millions of new neurons that we can either use or lose. Unfortunately, when we get stuck in our stuff, or world view, those very neurons that could lead us to peace, freedom and joy, get used to build walls that are higher and thicker as we cling to outdated roadmaps of reality.
This year I rethought my views on the church, Christianity, and organized religion. It had been a foundational holding space in my life for the past 58 years, but as I tried to make sense of clinical depression and burnout, I realized that it was no longer for me. I’d exposed myself to alternative thinking and could not go back. The Bible says there is a time and place for everything under the sun, which I think is true. So, I want to encourage you to think about your own thinking and belief systems, and as Dr Phil famously asks, “How is that working for you?” Do you find yourself living in peace, freedom and joy, or are you battling in conflict, captivity and despair?
Byron Katie in her book “Loving what is”, makes the point that pain is inevitable in life, due to events and circumstances, but suffering is optional. I know this may sound flippant and insensitive to those living with chronic pain or in circumstances that are truly dire, but as a human race, if we are not individually and collectively navigating our way towards true interdependence, then we are choosing the co-dependent drama triangle of victim, rescuer and persecutor. With the recent pandemic, mother nature has just administered a major wake up call to all of us, that unless we learn to change our minds, things are only going to get worse. If you would like to learn more please contact me, psychologist in Fourways.