August Just Posts

I recently read an article about how the actual structure and wiring of the brain changes because of thought processes. Two groups of people were studied. One group spend five days playing the piano while the second group merely imagined themselves playing. When tests were done to see how the part of the brain responsible for motor activity was affected, it was found that the part of the motor cortex which controls piano playing fingers were equally expanded for both groups.


"As scientists probe the limits on neuroplasticity, they are finding that mind sculpting can happen even without input from the outside world. The brain can physically change as a result of the thoughts we think."


The article goes on to explore a study done with two groups of depressive patients at the University of Toronto. Fourteen patients were taught to think differently about for example a failed date. Instead of viewing it as proof that they will never be loved they were encouraged to acknowledge a failed date as a minor setback.

The second group received an antidepressant. Both groups perceived an improvement after treatment. When brain imaging tests were done on the patients taught to think differently, it revealed their brain activity patterns changed. Activity in the part of their brains responsible for reasoning, logic, and endless ruminations about a failed date, had decreased while the brain's emotional centre showed an increase in activity.
How the brain rewires itself. Sharon Begley, February 2007.


So what does all of this have to do with social responsibility?


I would like to argue that patterns of social behaviour might resemble the neurological wiring of our brains. There seem to be a correlation between a depression patient's inability to overcome a negative thought pattern, and the way modern society seem unable to stop behavioural patterns from spiralling out of control.

Like a depression patient, obsessing about a failed date, we are often overwhelmed by the hopelessness of reinventing a world gone crazy. Human rights violations, crime, child abuse, poverty, disease and environmental issues are all increasing, yet it seems that we have no power to change things.


Nevertheless, I believe that we should not underestimate the power of the individual and small, seemingly insignificant, actions. If we can use conscious thoughts to influence subconscious patterns, can we not also use conscious actions to change unconscious societal behaviours? Changing our thought patterns regarding future posibilities and learning to respect the humanity of those around us might well change the structure of our society.


We could start by dreaming about a different future. Each night before we fall asleep we could visualise a new tomorrow. We can discuss this future with our friends, our family, our children and the person waiting next to us at the bus stop. We can write about it in our blogs, on the pages of our journals, and in our hearts.


We can also respect all things, including ourselves. Recognising our commonalities might make it easier to acknowledge our shared humanity. The Dalai Lama points out that the two principles uniting all living things are the desire for happiness and the fear of suffering. Everything we do, we do in order to attain happiness and avoid suffering.

The recognition of common humanity empowers us to let go of the human need to classify, judge, compete and fear. The "other" then becomes an ally in the quest to rewire current social structures. On the other hand, treasuring our differences enables us to learn and grow through shared conversations.


However, conversations can only change us if we are able to acknowledge the person obscured by stereotypes of gender, race, culture and maybe even their choice of shoes. When we are silent and we listen, we allow the other person to emerge from the stereotypes. This kind of listening requires patience and effort from both parties.


Often when wanting to change the world, we imagine that we have to do significant things such as to find a cure for Aids, work for grassroots organisations, fight against poverty and human rights violations, go to University and completing our master's thesis on sustainable energies, or become a therapist who works with traumatised children.

Although there is great value in these roles, I believe that small actions such as imagining a different future, respecting others for who they are, learning from shared conversations and building networks of like minded people, are the actions which will ultimately change the mental and behavioural patterns of our society. The morality of our souls emerges at least as clearly in the way that we do the everyday, seemingly insignificant things.


For me the Just Posts allows us to have conversations that matter. Therefore, please join me in listening to the August Just Post voices. And tonight, when it is quiet, listen to the song of your own heart.


The Writers
Bon at Crib Chronicles with Blessings
Crazymumma with If I'm going to talk the talk...
Cecilieaux with blogging last word, who is anglo, people of 1066 and portal for billionaires
Jangari with more on squandered funds and stuart highway robbery
Maypole with false hope and i know what it means to love
Denguy with boyo man
Jen with what a long strange trip it's been, national news and side by side
Alejna with some of my best friends are republicans
NoMotherEarth with about a boy
Urban-Urchin with disposable people
Emily with miscarriage of justice
Kevin with Jena 6
MBT with things you get nekkid for
Vera with dominator tentacles
Packaging girlhood with increased suicide rates among teen girls
Lex with compassion
Kitchen Fire with postscript
Aliki with disparity
Gwen with feed your head
From the Front Lines with philanthropy thursday
Flutter with the morning commute and What Should Flutter Cook?
Stumbling and Mumbling with you know you're a conservative when and the tangible harm of inequality
Izzy with forgive my bluntness but i hate george bush
11D with bob herbert morphs into david brooks
MOTR with enough
Janet with my grass roots are showing
Eden with some animals are more equal than others
Acukiki at Sticking to the Point with Follow Your Dreams
African Fragments with Sisters Can Do it For Themselves
Christine at Running on Empty When I Grow Up
Ewe with Baaaaad Party, Baaaaad Party and A Sunday Not-So-Funny...
Fortune and Glory with What fills us up makes us whole again and Today as I hold my head...
Gary with Homeless
Gettin' it wrong with Twisty Slides, Twisted Logic and Olivia
Jen at One Plus Two with Teaching Fish to Swim, I Was Interviewed by National News, side by side and What a Long, Strange Trip Its Been
KC with Colorless, II*
La vie en Rose with It's the body...always the body
Latoya Peterson at Racialicious with 4th Generation Racist: Can you be anti racist if you're anti-white?
Lia with Pensioned Serenity
Maddie at Persisting Stars with Someone with sky and birds in his heart
Nina Smith with Books Review: On My Own Two Feet
Open Synergy with Darwin's Jihad-A Luta Continua
Snigdha Sen with Streets Are For Walking, Stop Stalking
Suzanne Reisman with The Real Story: Attack Of The Predatory Lenders On Single Women Homeowners
Susanne at Creative Mother Thinking with Housework for Children and Being Sick Shouldn't Make you Bankrupt
Thailand Gal with Katrina put me over the edge, Repeat ch-ch, repeat-ch-, and Your silence will not protect you
Tired Mommy with Learning what we live
The World's Yours To Live!! with The World of Peace
Wayfayer Scientista with Seasonal Goodbyes and Working against cultural biogotry


The readers
Jess
Thordora
Cecilieaux
Chani
sober briquette
Alejna
KC
Christine
Catherine
Aliki
Sarah
Karen
Mad
Jen
Hel
Susanne


Lastly please join me in lifting a glass to three awesome women: Susanna, Mad and Jen are hosting this table with me. There are plenty more snacks and cold beer on their side.