There are ways to give your brain a workout and keep it fit. And a fit and healthy brain means a longer life. David Snowdon, PhD, author of Aging with Grace notes that those who age best share optimism, gratitude and engagement in a variety of new intellectual pursuits.
So live longer, exercise your brain! Learn, explore, share, discover, create, innovate, play!
And get physical: Outside Magazine has an article that gives you some tips on the physical and mental brain workout you can focus on for a healthy brain.
Hi Martha,
Your suggestion was very helpful. After exploring some feelings and asking, I came to "expecting" the same courtesy of listening in return. I got that I need to develop ways of asking for what I need in being listened to. I am feeling the injustice of one-sided listening and want to act on taking steps to insure more that I'm listened to. It feels uncomfortable to take this step but I will work on it. Also, maybe a frustration and sorrow to overcome is that some of the relationships no longer exist in my life and to make peace with that as well.
Margie, one suggestion for you might be to continue on that line of feeling we discovered during the end of our class. You said you were angry. Angry that you've given yourself through your empathic listening, but others haven't given in return. Anger is valid. I'm thinking there has to be more thinking on this, however. Don't just walk away saying "I'm angry". Celebrate that you've been able to pinpoint a feeling that "resonates" with you (that feels right in your "tummy brain".) Now the tough thinking work begins (the "intelligence" part of "emotional intelligence"). Ask: WHO am a angry at? One person, several? Why? Myself? What was I expecting?
Anger is your reacting to some sort of injustice. Pinpointing it will really help you identify who/what exactly to forgive, confront, explore more. Because it's not healthy just to sit in an emotion, you must act. So, to overcome anger, you must forgive, forget, accept, apologize, ask for an apology or any other creative way you can think of to release your anger.
That's the kind of thing I refer to when I say "explore your feelings". Does that help?
Hi Martha,
This is an interesting way to talk. I think I'm more adept at being outside and sort of joining with whom I'm talking/listening to. I think I'm just coming into an awareness of this. Maybe I'm not at all adept at being inside myself. Have to explore this. Feeling word -- numb, little sensation of being present writing to you. Drift in thoughts as I write. I don't know if those are feeling words. Comments.
As far as Noetics, the woman who started it just passed away so I think the focus may change to a variety of things. Very in flux right now.
Margie
You are a rare creature who knows how to listen. Most people I work with don't listen themselves, let alone being aware that others aren't listening. But you are sensing you've not been heard, and that can be a little painful. Why is it feeling hard for you to stay inside a place you are adept in? What exactly is "hard" about it? Let's name the feeling.
Also, how do you like the Boston chapter of IONS? I'm curious about attending. What can you tell me?
Hi Martha, 2nd message. don't know what an URL is so you may not get this. From class last night. Realized from so much inner work that I give myself away as an empath in the listening process. How do I comfortably and physically stay inside in the listening process. It "feels" hard to do. Saw you are a Noetics reader and maybe that's why I look familiar. I belong to Noetics in the Boston area. Maybe that's where we've seen each other...