Thoughtful Thursday & The 3 P’s
Did you know your brain is working just as it was designed?
The human brain is amazing!
It has three primary functions.
I will call them the 3 P’s.
Protection.
Pleasure.
Productive.
(Or, in other words, efficient. I had to use a P word so it sounded cool.)
These functions served our ancestors well and kept them alive.
Their brains helped keep them safe by looking for dangerous predators or enemies and by avoiding pain.
They sought pleasure with things like food and sex so the human race survived.
Systems and machines were created to simplify their lives and to be more efficient.
The modern conveniences that we enjoy today were all created because of the brain’s design to keep us safe, to seek pleasure, and to be efficient.
Your brain is still scanning for danger.
Not from an attack from a wild animal.
But, maybe a co-worker that is hard to work with.
Avoiding pain.
Not from pulling a handcart across the plans.
But, maybe a family member who is choosing a different life path than what you hoped.
Seeking pleasure.
Not by scavenging for food out of a dumpster.
But, maybe needing a cookie and a large Diet Coke to handle stress.
Being efficient.
You have little daily habits like brushing your teeth.
You don’t even have to think about how to do it.
You just do it.
But, maybe it is that little thought “you aren’t good enough.”
You have practiced it so many times.
It just comes automatically to your mind when you make a mistake no matter how big or small.
The good news is you have a normal human brain!
And nothing has gone wrong.
Your brain does all of this because it believes it is useful and it is protecting you from future harm.
Realizing this allows you to step back and separate yourself from your thoughts.
Becoming an observer of them.
Elkhart Tolle calls this “The Watcher” of your mind.
Taking this first step of being a curious observer gives you the opportunity to create an extraordinary life.
And the power to deliberately choose who you want to be.
Give it a try!
