I recently attended a course called “Positive Neuroplasticity.” During the class, we discovered how to shift our thinking in order to change the way the brain operates—including its influence on our worldview. In other words, if our worldview is generally negative (which most brains tend to gravitate toward) we can, with practice, actually train our brain so that it will operate from a more positive point of view. Cool, right?

How does this work? As neuropsychologist Rick Hanson notes, “Neurons that fire together wire together” meaning that as we create new thinking patterns these patterns wire together and future thinking defaults to this new wiring. And voila! A happier brain.

OK, OK, so even though it would be wonderful to snap my fingers and have a happier brain, like anything else it takes practice. That first step for me has been learning how to notice: are needs being met, or are they not met?

When noticing, I both observe what’s happening in me, as I experience the feelings that are there. This is way different from experiencing the feelings and ignoring them or reacting to them. So, in terms of neuroplasticity, each time I do this I change my thinking patterns (from a reactive state to a responsive state), and the more I practice this the more it becomes my resident pattern of response. (And, by golly, it works!)

Noticing is a kindly permission we can give ourselves to either deeply enjoy the moment or learn what to do to care for some unmet needs. It is an act of friendship I offer myself—and how lovely is that?

Try it out: Take a few moments to ask yourself, “What’s up for me right now?” Where are these feelings taking place in the body? For example, you might be feeling nervous (I don’t think I can do this). At the same time, you can notice, “I feel nervousness in my belly.”

If it seems impossible, try this out: Hold a pen in your hand. Notice its texture, shape, and size. Now notice that you’re holding a pen as you also notice its texture, shape, and size. Stay with this as a way of absorbing the experience of noticing. And, let me know how it goes!

~ Denise