I recently read about a neuro-scientist who made a direct correlation between mental health and the health of planet earth. Far out? Nope. Not really.
According to Harvard-trained
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor , there are similarities in how, on one
hand, we improve our mental health and, on the other
hand, how we can make earth a better place to thrive in.
The right hemisphere of our brain, which accounts for our
creativity, is also responsible for enabling us to realize our similarities as
humans and the larger picture of our connection with nature.
On the other hand, the brain's left hemisphere, which
focuses more on details, reasoning, logic and critical judgment, is responsible
for fear and hate, and our preferences and prejudices.
By being conscious of the interplay between the two brain hemispheres we can make "better"
decisions on how we see our reality and our world.
We don't have to be on auto-pilot in the way we react to what are going on in and around us and allowing one side of our brain to prevail over the other. We don't have to run around shooting from the hips or at each other.
We don't have to be on auto-pilot in the way we react to what are going on in and around us and allowing one side of our brain to prevail over the other. We don't have to run around shooting from the hips or at each other.
Think about it. Knowing how one side of our brain can tend
to dominate the other, we can temper how we think and, as an outcome, end if
not significantly reduce poverty of the
body, mind and spirit.
We can put a stop to conflicts of both the armed and
low-intensity types.
Politicians can stop
filibustering and instead work harmoniously, deliberately and selflessly for the overall good,
with or without pay raises.
We can actually direct the way we, as humans, continue to
evolve (we've supposedly gone a long way from the caveman). And
hopefully, we can even ensure the
viability of planet earth's existence, not to mention restore the integrity of
our political and societal systems. Wow!
In short, we need to "shake our minds" for our own and earth's sake.
And still if that doesn't work, a lobotomy just might.
- Ariel Murphy (with credit to Peter Haberly for "earthsake.")
Illustration by thegirlwithkaleidoscopeeyes on tumblr.com |
- Ariel Murphy (with credit to Peter Haberly for "earthsake.")
Great work, Ariel ! Love the illustration !
ReplyDeleteThanks Pete!
DeleteIf I can get my brain to get along, we can all get along!
ReplyDelete