There's a charming young Dutch woman, Vera, whose YouTube channel is about the simple approach to life. She's interesting and very thoughtful.
Today she talked about neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to change. It's a bit like fake it till you make it, which I've always mistrusted, since I thought pretending emotions couldn't be good.
But it turns out there's more to it than I realized, in that deliberately training out draining thoughts, and training in more supportive attitudes,, can eventually teach the brain happier reactions. I guess it's true up to a point, in a brain that isn't already struggling constantly with its thoughts.
Anyway I think it's worth considering on its merits.
Saturday was a day of doing. Laundry, changing sheets, knitting, reading, watching a very good episode of Wives and Daughters.
The thing about watching TV series jointly produced by WGBH and BBC is that the casts are like reunions. Wonderful actors all of whom we've seen in other productions. It's like meeting a bunch of acquaintances where you say I know her from somewhere, oh, now look who she is.
A loaf of honeynut squash and cranberries. I tested this sample and decided it was good enough to give. Then I sliced the rest and presented shares to several neighbors.
One of them said, this is funny, just yesterday some neighbors were talking about your baking! Anyway it all went over well, met a little dog I haven't seen for ages, a Cavalier King Charles, got caught up with who's moving just across the street, who was just right now in the mood for a slice of cake, and so on.
Couple of slices in the freezer for next time Handsome Son visits, and an extra for Gary when he gets back next week.
Happy day everyone, get your share of the cake of life if you can.
That loaf looks and sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty good. Neighborhood baking!
DeleteI haven't bake with cranberries in quite awhile. You've put ideas in my head!
ReplyDeleteDried cranberries are my preference to raisins in baked goods or just snacks.
DeleteThe loaf is a great size for sharing and looks so good.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty nice. Anyway, well received.
DeleteI'm sure the neighbours were more than happy to help you eat your baking. Most people these days don't bother to bake and that's a shame.
ReplyDeleteParticularly the Indian friends, very intrigued with Western baking.
DeleteAnd a'baking we shall go.
ReplyDeleteI can't help it, it's going through my to the tune of Hi Ho the Derry-O
Arghhgh ear worm, ear worm!!
DeleteThe squash and cranberry bread looks yummy! That's an interesting combination -- very autumnal.
ReplyDeleteyes, I was thinking how seasonal it is. Having some toasted for breakfast with coffee right now.
DeleteYou have some lucky and happy neighbors!
ReplyDeleteThey're there for me, too. So there's that.
Deleteit does work. decades ago I was in a women's support group with a facilitator for awhile. One of the women in particular was plagued with negative thoughts and her life was not that great. I told her to change the way she was thinking, to actively push those thoughts away and actively replace them with what she thought would be better. she rejected my advice as impossible, that I just didn't understand. the group broke up for a while and then reconvened. I guess she had gotten some counseling in the interim because her life was better and she had the grace to tell me that I had been right.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to hear. I expect she got to a point where she could manage it, great.
DeleteWow, that sounds delicious and your neighbors are nice so that makes sharing all the easier to do.
ReplyDeleteYes, this little neighborhood is nice mostly. I gave a slice this morning to another neighbor who was so tired from an active day yesterday. She's going to toast hers. Very happy camper.
DeleteAt this moment I have two types of wedding cake in my refrigerator. This is dangerous.
ReplyDeleteIt's the kind of danger i wouldn't mind being in.
DeleteI do think you can trick yourself into being happier. Fake it until you can make it.
ReplyDeleteyour cake looks great what a nice thing to share with your neighbors.
Cathy
It sounds as if people here have experienced that change. Good stuff.
DeleteIt’s very depressing here. Everyone is on some kind of diet. So if I bake I end up eating it all. Our freezer is currently full of beef off the paddock
ReplyDeleteI’m glad your able to share with so many. May your small acts of kindness ripple out into the world. We need them right now
Most of my neighbors are not on special food. I do omit nuts, to protect one little boy. So it's nice to be able to share.
DeleteChanging one's thought process does bring change. If all you think is negative thoughts that is what you will get. Your cake looks delicious. Squash and cranberries what a great combination.
ReplyDeleteThey worked nicely. The squash was integrated into the dough, so I'll do that again.
DeleteI've not seen the video channel you mention, but awhile back I watched a lecture by a psychiatrist on that very topic, i.e. training the brain to follow new, positive neural pathways instead of habitual negative ones. Apparently, neurons can be built or shrunk by how much time and energy we spend following particular lines of thought. Really fascinating stuff.
ReplyDeleteYes, seemingly it's a thing.
DeleteBrain activity isn't all one way traffic apparently. I read some vague science somewhere that said if you smile (really smile, not simply gurn) the brain gets the message that there must be something to smile about. The activity of the smile muscles fire up different parts of the brain, and it creates a positive feedback loop. It sounds really trite, and some part of the brain has to say ' SMILE, DO IT NOW' but the effect of doing so has a positive impact on other, heretofore disinterested, bits of brain. Weird huh?
ReplyDeleteI always end up realizing that what we know about the brain is much less than what we don't know!
DeleteI do agree that training your brain and your emotions is a good idea and absolutely feasible. It is not particularly easy to do, but then training yourself in new habits never is. But it's worth it. Thank you for the link. Your cranberry loaf looks wonderful. Just the kind of thing I like to make. Would you be able to post the recipe at all, please?
ReplyDeleteStay tuned, Jenny, and I'll post next blog time. It's very good for toasting, or cold, and freezes fine. If you have any left to freeze.
DeleteMm, yummy. I do envy you your neighbourhood. But that is my fault as much as anyone's.
ReplyDeleteI used to notice that as you traveled south from Yorkshire people were less and less friendly. I was astonished to find they didn't seem to know their neighbors.
DeleteYour explanation of neuroplasticity makes me think of this scripture: "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Not easy when life is stressful, scary, or feelings are hurt, but perhaps a worthy effort most at times like that. I appreciate the pause this post created for me to think about that. I'm going to look into this topic of neuroplasticity.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be something that works. Worth checking out.
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