I just finished reading a wonderful book by Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD, entitled My Stroke of Insight. Jill is a neuroanatomist who had a massive left hemisphere stroke. She stayed conscious during the stroke and due to her training, is able to brilliantly describe what was happening inside her brain during the evolution of the stroke. Her recovery was long and arduous, but the book chronicles the many insights she gaining into the working of her brain, and the way she now views the world. When faced with a choice, she makes a conscious decision to look on the bright side, and lives each day joyfully.
What she says about pain makes me think. Jill writes “physical pain in a physiological phenomenon that is specifically designed to alert our brain that tissue damage has occurred somewhere in our body. It’s important that we realize that we are capable of feeling physical pain without hooking into the emotional loop of suffering. I am reminded of how courageous little children can be when they become extremely ill. Their parents may hook into the emotional circuitry of suffering and fear, while the child seems to be adapting to his illness without the same negative emotional drama. To experience pain may not be a choice, but to suffer is a cognitive decision.”
Well, I know how easy it is for me to start to enter that circle of suffering and fear, which of course only makes pain worse. But the idea of having SO MUCH conscious control over pain is fascinating. Jill got the “opportunity” to know how her brain works in minute detail different functional areas came back “on line” during her recovery. Jill is now able to consciously avoid painful situations by choosing to focus her brain on more positive thoughts and actions. This prevents her from “suffering.” I am going to use my brain to think about how I can more often make choices that reduce stress, rejuvenate me, fuel my passions and be more joyful.
I’ll keep you posted on what tools I find helpful along my journey.