New Years Resolutions: Can We Really Change The Way We Think?

[Adam Levi]

As the New Year gets underway, many of us have made our list of resolutions. And yet, as I'm sure many of you will agree, most people feel that "New Years resolutions are made to be broken."

Old habits die hard. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Is it really so impossible for human beings to change?

Well, modern scientists seem to disagree with the notion that humans cannot change themselves. In fact, recent discoveries in the field of quantum physics have brought about a new understanding of how our brains work. The result is that many researchers now believe that by changing the way our brain operates and thus the ways in which we perceive and respond to our world, we can re-direct the shape of our own lives. In other words, science is beginning to support the notion that we can change the ways in which we think and thus break free of patterns through daily re-wiring of our brains.

The scientific jargon is extremely "scientific" but the basic premise behind the "re-direction of thought" as I understand it is as follows: Each time we have a thought or direct our brain to focus on a certain idea, our brains build physical, neurological connections supporting these thoughts. In fact, if we undergo a certain thought frequently enough, a more permanent connection is made between nerve endings in order to make this thought process easier to come by next time around.

What I find most interesting is the research showing that by re-directing our thought patterns these physical connections can be detached and even reversed. Thus, scientists are proving that by changing the way we think, we can actually break free of harmful negative thinking and maintain a more serene and happy life for ourselves.

Of course, programs such as those focusing on addictions, weight management, and physical therapy for the injured have been exploring this process of "directed thinking" successfully for years. But, for me, the addition of scientific evidence supporting the idea that change is possible is extremely heartening.

I'm wondering if anyone else has any thoughts on this topic - I'd love to read them!

Happy New Year!

[Paul Randolph]

Hey Adam, great topic, and timely too! I have a few thoughts to add here.

I find scientific study of brain function can lead to fascinating insights into our human nature. I once heard that something like 90% of brain activity occurs below the level of consciousness, so most of those pathways go on in the background, below the threshold of our awareness. This reality might help understand why it is so difficult to change patterns of behavior that we have developed in response to situations that no longer exist. Still, there is no doubt that it is possible. The ability to learn new patterns is certainly one of the most amazing aspects of brain function.

I think it takes more than just a desire for a different outcome to achieve a real change. My observation is that it takes repetition, training, to develop a new pattern of behavior. It is awkward to attempt something new because we don't have the reflexive awareness that comes from repetition. Many people don't get beyond this uncomfortable period and revert back to old patterns even if they know that those patterns are not right for them. Perhaps behaviors like harmful negative thinking have origins in some behaviors that once served us well. They were reinforced and learned, just as any behavior, but now no longer serve us. When we try to change, our brains seek the comfort of old routines. We can develop barriers to keep us from going to the point of discomfort and trap us within our routines. When we become aware of this, it goes a long way into dissolving these roadblocks and opening new possibilities.

It amazes me how crowded it is in the gym during the first week of the year, but by the end of January there is always more room for the regulars. What happens to all of those people? I guess they just fill their lives with other activities and let themselves forget about the commitments they begin.

Right now, I am listening to my 9 year old daughter practice playing her saxophone, something she could not do four months ago. After repetition, practicing the behavior over and over, she has begun to make progress. She still doesn't sound like Coltrane, and probably never will, but it is much better on the ears now than just a few months ago.

I used to feel guilty for not making resolutions every year. Now, I feel like it is better to be present with my own needs every day. If I can't stick to a plan it is probably because the plan was not right for me, but I don't lose sight of where I was going. It is better to focus on the progress, and the journey rather than expecting to reach a goal and move on to something else. When you get there, you may find that you were already there before you started, and nothing has really changed. There is always further to go, and there are always new directions to explore.

Happy New Year!

[Adam Levi]

Wonderful - thank you, Paul. That really put things in better perspective for me!

[Martha Randolph Carr]

Hi Cousin,
I wonder if what happens to resolutions is people hit that wall where the feelings and belief system that created what they don't like requires a surrender, a different choice and a willingness to go forward even when it looks like it's not working or nothing's going on and they can't believe for the better so they fall back to the familiar. Surrender always requires us to go first and then God meets us and that can seem like an enormous journey as our faith grows.

[Adam Levi]

I love this reply, too, Martha.Thank you for it!

[Carol Ann Bowe]

Hi Adam!

I truly believe our energetic environment is a big impediment to change. No matter how sincere or well intentioned, a personal commitment to change involves changing our 'frequency".We are fundamentally energy beings constantly interacting with and responding to our energy environment. Our determination to change or shift our frequency and transmit at a higher more refined vibration,puts us on a collision course with the collective consciousness or energy that we have been interacting with previously. We are wanting to broadcast on a different wave length but are surrounded by persons and circumstances that only know how to pick up our signal on a different band, so to speak. Hence there is a period of transition characterized by a lot of static and fine tuning as readjustment occurs We are energetically challenged and have to work to not only transform ourselves but also to raise the vibrations that surround us which takes time and effort. As we all have experienced at some time or another, many of our nearest and dearest resist even our positive attempts at change because they are so comfortable interacting with us even at an unhealthy frequency. It is familiar. That is why I preach the power of subtle energy methods, music. color, aromatherapy, feng shui, etc. to help create positive, supportive frequency to influence our energetic environment and ease transition for not only ourself but those around us as we move to a higher level of functioning.

Carol Ann Bowe

[Martha Randolph Carr]

Change can come in a moment and sometimes can be all-encompassing and lasting depending on how willing we are to give into it at that pivotal moment. It can take the rest of our life and be in small steps forward and backward or sweeping as if we suddenly see everything from a new angle. It's the willingness though to go forward and accept progress over perfection while holding out compassion first for ourselves and then others.