the 40.10.50 guideline

here's a little neuroscience for your day; a bit of practical metacognition, if you will...did you know that your brain is made up of 80% water?  that being so, before you sign up for expensive intervention, simply try drinking a tall glass of water.

also, this principle fascinated me.  i've always wondered why the same circumstance, happening to two different people, could have such a vastly different outcome.  this may have a lot to do with it.  scientists have discovered that about 40% of our personality is encoded in our DNA, that is we're born with this much of our natural outlook on life.

only 10% of our mental health, however, is based on actual circumstance.  this is extremely small in proportion to what comes next...because the rest is literally up to us!  that's right, 50% of our happiness quotient comes from how we think about and talk to ourselves about our circumstances.

this is why, of two different folks who win the lottery, for example; one will joyfully start to think about how they want to spend it to make the world a better place while the other person will stay awake worrying about taxes and thieves.

this 50% works in everything large and small.  coming down with a slight cold?  what a great opportunity to rest or maybe catch up on writing encouraging post cards to people.  stuck in traffic?  look around at the scenery, say a nice blessing over the person in front of you or sing along to your favorite song.

it's important to note this is not a numbing technique or excuse for not facing life or being in touch with reality.  it is exactly this way of processing that goes through--not around--the adverse circumstance and literally takes the energy from it to propel ourselves toward gratitude.  it is not without effort, but the payoffs for this intentional move when repeated and prolonged literally serve to rewire our neuron pathways.

the places you use get bigger, stronger, faster...so why not choose to use your 50% to boost your brain and the world around you? 

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