In My Stroke of Insight, neuro-anatomist Jill Bolte Taylor recounts in vivid detail the events of her 1996 stroke, caused by an arterio-venous malformation, including the removal of a golf ball size blood clot that was placing pressure on the language centers in the left hemisphere of her brain. Her explanation of this life-threatening and life-changing experience from the unique perspective of a brain scientist reveals how each of us can access at any time the loving oneness and compassion of our right-brain function.
Though hard to believe, all we need do is disengage our left-brain’s old mind patterns and story-telling loop for 90 seconds and realign our focus. She calls this technique the 90-Second Rule. Through this conscious choice, exercised over and over, our well-worn brain passageways that formerly thrived on conflict, negative association, old ways of thinking, become less used and eventually disappear altogether. In essence, then, we can remap our minds and direct our energy toward states of being that cultivate Self-awareness and compassion. All in 90 seconds.
The key to making this work is to discover where to focus the mind. This is in many ways a personal choice. Dr. Taylor offers three of her favorites:
- remember something you find fascinating that you would like to ponder more deeply
- think about something that brings you terrific joy
- think about something you would like to do
Dr. Frank Lawlis, in his book The Stress Answer, suggests:
- dancing
- singing
- laughing
- taking a walk
as methods to successfully untangle a stress storm. He cautions against trying to think through a problem using old habits of thought. Suspension of old thoughts allows neurological changes to happen immediately. The brain’s plasticity then begins new mapping. You start thinking outside the box (your box!).
Indeed, the beauty of Nature has always helped direct the mind and renew the spirit, and flowers are among the best of natural images, having the power to instantly transform our state of being.
As personal as is the chosen focus, equally personal are the form and color of a favorite flower.
Is it the golden glow of a yellow sunflower that stops your breath?
The orange, peach, purple, and green burst of a mixed bouquet that draws a smile?
Or the delicate white cluster of bells that softens your heart?
Perhaps the fragrance of gardenia, hyacinth, or daphne is all it takes to strengthen your resolve or view things with new perspective.
If you haven’t thought about this, try experimenting and see what you discover about yourself. Jill Bolte Taylor believes that peace ~ personal and global ~ is only one (focused) thought away. Popular gardening wisdom affirms the same: Take time to smell the roses.
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Aha you mentioned Frank Lawlis! I like the white bells flowers, they’re really beautiful and the photographic composition is excellent!