There are moments like this all day long if we are aware. However,
we may have to really decide to make this our intention (e.g. capturing the
good, positive moments) as our brain has a negative bias to be on the lookout
for danger and negative experiences.
Although our brain has continued to evolve over millions of years, it
still has that instinct to look for any danger so it is prepared to survive. It
is hard-wired for this. Yet there are many good moments that we can anchor. These
are the exact moments that are our opportunities to change our hard-wiring. These
are our opportunities to capture the moments, to push the pause button, and to step
into it allowing the feelings of the moment to be noticed and internalized –
anchored within us. According to Rick Hanson, author of Hardwiring Happiness,
this practice actually has a place in changing our brain structure. Hanson
states that any growth requires structural changes within the brain. He gives
some specific steps to hard-wire these experiences, which create the pathway to
experience more of these feelings and thus, hardwiring happiness. (Hanson, 2013)
Hanson states that we need a useful experience to activate
the mind to reach the mental state that would be enjoyable (a good moment).
Then we want to download that useful state – we want to “install” it for
lasting structural changes in the brain-giving way to pathways to be created,
allowing us to easily access these states.
To do this Hanson has some specific suggestions. First he recommends that we “capture” the
ordinary experience and we notice it, allowing the duration of the experience
to move from one or two seconds into 20 or more seconds. This allows us to
increase the duration of our experience, which then allows time for the
feelings to come up and “sink in”, thereby increasing the intensity of the
moment. This sets up the opportunity to experience “the feelings” and to allow
the neurons of these positive feelings to be activated in our brain, firing, as
they are wired together with the experience of the moment. Last, Hansen suggests
that we step into receiving the moment. Hanson calls this “yielding to it,
letting yourself receive the gift” which I liken to putting on a balm and
relishing in the moment. This entire practice is done within a minute or less –
but the more we do it, the more we change the structure of our brain to wire it
for happiness. (Hanson, 2013)
It certainly seems like a doable practice to become aware of
the moments (becoming more mindful) during our day so that we can pause and step
into appreciating and feeling the moment of joy. Perhaps we want to make 2014
about “capturing the year” by capturing the moments. It would mean you take the
time to push the “pause” button when you want to anchor the feeling, thereby
creating easier access to activating the feelings again and again. Get those
neurons firing and wiring together towards happiness. Push your pause button
and step into receiving what is already there for the taking. Make 2014 a year of grateful moments that run
together for a year of happiness! And who knows, maybe at the end of 2014, you
will not be saying, “Where did the year go?” because you were totally aware of
so many of the moments that you lived in 2014.
4 comments:
Great reminder to be aware that it's the small things that practiced daily make the biggest changes. Thanks, Janie!
Thanks Anonymous! Yes, we really have it at our fingertips on a moment by moment basis.
Again you've delivered a most timely, inspiring word of wisdom! (Hope to get the book) I'm 'sharing' this with several people in my assorted circles right now! Thank you very much, and may the Lord give you all you need to keep doing what you do! God Bless!
Gosh - thanks for the kind words. Great to hear that it resonates with you and you are sharing!
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