The human brain has limitless potential. That’s what I realized as I transformed myself from someone who could never pay attention in school and took the college entrance exam three years in a row to someone who successfully completed a degree in clinical pathology. [ … ]
When you imagine a life without laughter, excitement, apprehension, or sorrow, it’s flat and formless — it hardly seems to be life at all. In your own life, isn’t it clear that you bring valuable emotion to the most important decisions you make? You seek strong relationships, success, and money in large part because [ … ]
Usually, once they’re old, people don’t stimulate their brains much. From your brain’s perspective, it’s as if its boss doesn’t inspire it to work hard. A basic principle of your brain’s operation is that it improves when stimulated and declines without stimulation. Hopes and dreams are the greatest stimuli we can give [ … ]
As I’ve met people from all walks of life and helped them to live more satisfying lives, I’ve found that there have been two main reasons that people feel they are unhappy. First, they are unsatisfied with the environment they face. In other words, they consider themselves unhappy because they lack something. [ … ]
When I looked at my father as he got older, I often felt sorry for him. He was quite healthy as late as his 80s, but past the age of 90, he slowed down significantly and his speech declined. When I touched his body with my hand, attempting to teach him some exercise, he would flatly refuse. All I could do for him [ … ]
It might surprise you, but on any given day, we will make over 200 decisions about our food — even decisions as simple as whether we will eat cereal instead of eggs for breakfast, but also the kind of cereal we will eat, the amount of milk we add to it (if we add any), and whether or not we finish [ … ]
Many people start to look back on their past when they enter the second half of life. In particular, they become immersed in memories as they recall both good and hard times. But such passive retrospection isn’t enough. You must take time to do an interim accounting of your life, reflecting actively and intentionally on your past [ … ]
One of the ways to assess the impact of human activities on this planet is what is known as the “ecological footprint.” In order to stand, I need land the size of my two feet; that’s my footprint. In order to lie down, I need land the size of my body flat on the ground. Likewise, all human activities, even the [ … ]
Human emotion is a strong response coming out of our mental activities. Emotion itself is only a brain function; it is neither positive nor negative. Fear makes you avoid danger, resentment makes you fight, and loving makes you care for others. People cannot remove their emotions from [ … ]
Based on the scientific research so far, neuroscientists consider three things to be the human brain’s most important characteristics: complexity, changeability (plasticity), and infinite potential. As a brain philosopher and brain educator, I’m glad that my personal experience with my own and other brains led me to [ … ]
One of the most effective and simple brain exercises is something that we do naturally — walking. Although stepping forward by placing one foot in front of the other may seem ordinary, it’s actually a complex process that requires the harmonious coordination of all your joints, bones, muscles, and nerves. Normal walking [ … ]
Practically everyone has at least a few habits they want to change. But unless you’re a very special person, you probably have more experience with failure than with success in trying to change your habits. That’s why we end up listing the same goals for our New Year’s resolutions every year. [ … ]
The effects of meditation on the body and mind have been studied thoroughly. One of the most directly observed effects is that meditation changes brain waves to a comfortable, stable pattern. “Brain waves” refers to the electrical current that develops when signals are transmitted between neurons. [ … ]
There is one thing, though, that stands above the rest as necessary nutrition for the human body, mind, and spirit: hope. Without hope, there is no drive even to live, and the more hope we have, the more motivated and enthusiastic we feel. Hope is the most powerful supplement available to us, and thankfully, we can make hope for ourselves [ … ]
Have you ever wondered why humans seem so obsessed with discovery? Why throughout the centuries have we sailed dangerous seas, trekked through pathless jungles, and risked our lives descending into lightless caverns where no one has gone before? [ … ]
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