Retrain the Brain

Well, I did state that I would fall from the Earth and then come back again when I started this. I was doing so well too, 5 am workouts and trying to remember to post. I was even thinking of which ideas would make better posts than others. However, intentions are not the same as results.

It's true. Now that I think about it none of the great role models I have ever sought inspiration have ever said "i intend to (insert future goal here)." No. Instead, they would tell themselves "I will (inserted future completed action here)."

If there was an all-star award for the Best Dreamer, I would rock that category. The only reason being is because I let it remain all in my dreams. The reason being because in my dreams I don't run into obstacles or if I do run into obstacles they are easily overcome. The reality is much different. Reality to my dreams is like vinegar in milk when all you have is a plate of chocolate chip cookies. However, remembering that vinegar in milk is also a substitute for buttermilk could be useful. I have a difficult time remembering that just because one dream doesn't work out should mean everything is ruined. I need to learn to think about how to use that to my advantage instead. I need to literally "retrain" my brain. Yes, that is my point here - "retrain the brain"

The key that everything hinges on when retraining my brain is focusing on being in the moment every moment. For example, this morning I woke up to my 4:45 am alarm that allows me 15 minutes to drowsily slide out of the warm comfortable sanctuary of  my bed, shuffle into workout clothes and head out the door to the gym to get there by 5 am. I live a block from the gym. If you want someone with no excuses, I am the person behind that person because the person in front of me is the person working at the gym (someone I used to be). Did I do that this morning?

No.

There is the problem. The reality is I woke to the alarm (on my phone). Looked at the glowing screen buzzing and blasting at me. Then swiped my finger across SILENCE before rolling over into soft warm oblivion. I made a conscious decision - don't let me fool you, I am wide awake for a split second when that alarm sounds but I choose to drift back to sleep. I love my ZZZ's. I love my bed. I love nothing more than the black oblivion of sheer rest.

However, that is not what will help me towards my goals. That is not what will help me run my 5K that I signed up for at work because responsible me said "You need a reason to get your act together." and I knew signing up for that would be like a bucket of ice in a hot steamy shower. What does help?

Having a reason to think of in the moment as if it were a compass if you will. I mean I know moss only grows on one side of a tree but that doesn't help me know which direction. A compass is something I can look at and say "yess" or "NO". Because we all know my brain can't always be trusted. So tomorrow morning when my brain says "sleeeeep" my compass will let me know that sleep is due South when really we need to be heading North. Find a reason, own it, make it yours. Many times people are able to think of a dozen reasons for something (i.e. losing weight or stop smoking) but it never works until is THEIR reason. A reason is big or small, a reason is personal or totally public, but it still remains a reason to move forward. A compass doesn't have a stop sign. It shows direction and keeps moving as long as you keep moving. Your brain doesn't have a stop sign either, it just changes direction - with or without you.

Retraining the brain
- Be in the moment, every moment.
- Reality bites but so does regret. The first has bigger teeth but only bites once, the second will be with you a lot longer.
- Find a reason. Use it to help you evaluate decisions. If it isn't helping you, it's taking you in the wrong direction.

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