My mother has a Ph.D. in counseling. She is published, counsels people and teaches at a university. Who would think that she could tell me three little words that may or may not change my life? We're all screwed up, right? We all have issues. Many of us actually pay a licensed counselor to help us through tough times. Years and years of counseling some people think they need. But three words... Three words could possibly eliminate the need for counseling for all mankind?
TRICK. YOUR. BRAIN. That's what she told me the other day. And she didn't sit me down and look me in the eye and get all serious on me. I think she was actually getting up for her chair and sort of threw those words as me with a little nonchalant headshake. "Ehh.. Trick your brain." No big deal. Just trick your brain.
So now let's apply this. I have chronic migraines. I have no idea what causes them. But let's say I just trick my brain into thinking I don't have them. *Head is killing me* "Oh, no sir, my head doesn't hurt!" and just go about your business? Eventually, will your head just give up trying to kill you? Kind of ignore it and it will go away? Now, I don't think she was talking about physical ailments, but guess who is trying this new "trick your brain" technique regarding headaches right this minute? I'll let you know how that goes. I actually think that example blows.
Let's try this... Think about it... Any sort of happiness/sadness/worry/stress issue that you have could really benefit from this technique. Let's say you are sad you didn't get the job you wanted. What if you told your brain that you didn't want that job to begin with? You say it over and over every day until your poor confused brain catches on. I mean really... Who cares you are a friggin liar? If it helps you wake up every morning with a smile on your face, then lie away, right? Live your life in a deceitful way? Ok, now that I think about this example, I think it blows too. I mean, where does your heart come in to this equation? Isn't it your heart that wanted the job? I can buy into tricking your brain, but not your heart. MAYBE after a while, if your brain really starting believing that you didn't want the job, then PERHAPS your heart would go along for a while. Until you saw the person that got the job instead of you... or you read something that reminded you of the job... Or what if the job was... say... a lifeguard? Every time you saw water or the sun or a bathing suit you would mourn the loss of the job all over again. Your heart won't forget how much it wanted that job and will tell your brain.
Ok. I'm trying one more example before I just give up on this theory completely. And I think this one may work. What if someone dear to you was no longer here? Let's say they died or went away forever. You could trick your brain into thinking you just talked to them. Or just saw them. Have you ever had a dream about someone no longer living and you wake up and it really feels as if you just saw that person? I've always taken those dreams as a gift from God. I love them. Because you DO feel as if you just saw them. Not only did you see them, but often you talk to them and touch them. So if that works, then perhaps it works to trick your brain into thinking you see and talk to people all the time, even though you don't. You would never miss anyone ever again. This example I like. You are not lying to your brain. Or your heart. You are just remembering. You can close your eyes and remember what it felt like to hug your grandfather. And the way he smelled. And just PRETEND that you did actually hug him. This is the sort of brain tricking I can live with.
There is quite a difference between lying to your brain and saying, "I don't care that he died. I don't miss him" and just PRETENDING you just saw him. You do the former and then see a picture of your grandfather and what does your heart do? It breaks. And to hell with all the lying you've been doing to your brain. Because heart rules, people. You will break down in an emotional fit because you miss him. And then you decide to start the whole deceptive cycle all over again. But do the latter and what happens? You see a picture of him and your heart and brain collectively smile. Because it seems as if you just hugged him. And can still smell that smell of peppermint and tobacco, right? And you close your eyes and hug him again in your mind. So if this is what my mom meant by "trick your brain," I'm on board. I don't think it IS what she meant. But I still benefit from her words. Because I really really like this last example. And I will use it for sure in the future. I guess it is a form of lying to your brain. But it's a lie that won't backfire.
This kind of brain tricking is like getting one of those awesome God gifts in the form of a dream. But you are giving it to yourself.
