Take Back Your Mind!

     We have this thing in our heads that represents only 3% of our body weight, yet it uses 20% of our body’s energy. Scientists used to believe we only use 10% of its power; however, now the belief has switched in that they believe much of our brain is active MOST of our waking moments. If this is the case, why do we choose to have 20% of our energy being spent on mundane tasks by leaving work and switching into mental hibernation?
     We feed it TV, commercials, social gaming and networking websites. *chomp chomp chomp* We eat it up and most of us don’t even realize how many HOURS we spend absently allowing other influences to guide our brains…

Take back your mind!

     After realizing this about ourselves, we’ve made a conscious effort to try and add some sort of value to our “off duty” time. I know some of you feel like you don’t want to be mentally challenged 18 hours a day. OK, how about 12 or 14? How can I convince you that you are worth it?
     Here’s something to think about. Isn’t there something you’ve always wanted to be better at or learn more about? Try to spend at least half an hour each day in pursuit of something meaningful to yourself, and only yourself. We can all find half an hour – after the kids are in bed, when the house is quiet, or first thing in the morning before everyone’s awake and demanding your attention. Will you really suffer that much if you lose a half hour of sleep, tv or games??? How much could you potentially gain by investing a half hour in yourself?
     Maybe you’ve always had an interest in photography and have that dusty Polaroid laying around. Pose your spouse and have some fun! Or maybe you’ve always wanted to be able to draw your stick figures doing more than standing there waiving – practice! You know that rusty pole in the side yard- haven’t you wanted to learn to pole dance? Get busy!
     The point is this… we are all smart- the fine folks at John Hopkins say we are, and there’s no reason not to believe them. We all had aspirations at one time and some of us are lucky enough to still realize what those were. We can never be too good, but there’s no harm in trying! How will you spend your half hour each day?