Imagine That!

DeAnna Willman

Welcome back! I do so look forward to our time together! I continue to pray for you and for your healing. I am honored that some of you even share your growth experiences and “aha” moments with me as we go through this journey. Praise be to our God!

Thus far we have looked at 9 brain helpers that bring healing to the brain: rest, sleep, mindful meditation, empathy, laughter, prayer, praise, gratitude, and forgiveness. We have also talked about how each helps the brain, and therefore our body and mind. What changes have you seen in yourself as you apply these helpers to your life? Were some of them hard to begin practicing? How is it becoming easier? How have the changes in you brought about changes in others around you? Be mindful even in noting how you are healing and in the progress of your healing. Let’s continue with more brain helpers.

So we do not lose heart. Though out outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day… For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-18

No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s we began to see articles being written about a couple of professional coaches and professional ball players who had added something new to their daily practices. And it was working! What was this new practice that was helping athletes greatly improve their game? Visualization. For 15-30 minutes a day each player was visualizing themselves succeeding in the areas where they needed improvement. They sat during this time with eyes closed and “saw” themselves performing moment by moment, every step that would be involved in a successful run, free-throw, homerun, or catch. After 2-4 weeks of this exercise, the coaches noticed definite improvement in the athlete’s performance. How was this possible?

The brain cannot distinguish the difference from what is real and what is not real. That is a job for the mind. The brain, however, will default to what is familiar. So, if an athlete is daily visualizing a successful free throw, the brain builds the neurons that make it as something familiar and as reality. During this visualization the brain is sending out the chemicals and energy to the parts of the body that would be involved, preparing them to do what would be needed in the actual activity. This is developing muscle memory which is also imprinted upon the brain. So, when the athlete actually does perform the activity that has been visualized, the brain and muscles act as if they have done this multiple times with success.

How does this apply to our subject? Well, how often do you find yourself visualizing in your mind a worst-case scenario? Your child has not come home at the designated time and you begin visualizing a horrible accident, kidnapping, or worse. Your spouse is not answering the phone and you start visualizing the “other” woman or man they may possibly be with instead of you. Your boss tells you he wants you to come to his office. You immediately start visualizing security escorting you out of the building as you carry out a box of your personal items or visualize the endless wait in the unemployment line. How many of us have repeatedly replayed in our minds negative things that have happened in our lives? All that is visualization which the brain cannot distinguish from reality. The more we visualize that event, the more familiar it is to the brain, the more the brain will default to that thought and action.

But the good news is that like the athletes, we can use this exercise for good. You have a problem with passing the cookie jar without eating a couple, no matter how many times a day you pass that cookie jar. Visualization would be helpful if you were to repeatedly visualize yourself successfully walking past that jar as if you didn’t even notice it there. This would become familiar and reality to the brain. Within a short period of time, you will find yourself successfully walking past the cookie jar without awareness of it being there and without eating any cookies. Perhaps you feel anxious in new situations or with being around other people. By using visualization, you can convince the brain that you are comfortable with people. You can convince your brain that you are comfortable in new places- especially if you check out and visualize the inside of that place before you are to go there for your date, meeting, or social event. You have a problem with saying hurtful things when angry. You can visualize yourself successfully holding your tongue in the moment of your anger and leaving the situation until you are calm enough to handle it appropriately. Visualization will make it familiar and reality for your brain. What can you visualize yourself doing?

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11

O YHWH, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people and direct their hearts toward you.

1 Chronicles 29:18

When we were discussing things that harm the brain, we mentioned negative thinking. It is obvious that if negative thoughts would harm the brain, that positive thoughts would heal the brain. Positive thoughts include love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faith, happiness for others, encouraging others, praise for God and others, gratitude, forgiveness, acceptance of others, empathy, humor, contentment, and so much more. We need to practice these positive thoughts toward others and toward ourselves. Some of us are great at encouraging others but very quick to put down or condemn ourselves. Same with forgiveness and many of the other positive thoughts! We must practice them toward ourselves as well as toward others.

I do not mean that we should be Pollyanna’s who see good without being able to acknowledge the reality of possible pain or ugliness. No, but the Apostle Paul wrote that “I can do all things in Messiah who strengthens me,” and “I have learned to be content in whatever state I am in.” Did he pretend he wasn’t whipped, stoned, and imprisoned? Did he refuse to acknowledge the pain he felt in those times? No. But he didn’t allow those circumstances to shape his thoughts or his brain. He focused on what he did have, not what he didn’t have. He gave praise to God for who He is, for always being with Paul no matter the situation. Paul continued to follow the mission he was given by God, spreading the gospel to save as many as possible. He chose to think upon that which is true, noble, pure, trustworthy, honorable, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. He focused on the sacrifice that was made for him and the love that was behind that sacrifice. He looked forward to the return of our Messiah and His earthly kingdom.

Positive thoughts cause the brain to release endorphins, the feel-good chemical, and keep the brain from triggering the sympathetic nervous system which puts the body into fight or flight or freeze mode. Thinking upon positive things increases resilience and contentment (peace) within a person. Repeating good thoughts strengthens the dendrites upon the thoughts and causes them to make healthy connections with other thoughts. The more one thinks good and positive thoughts, the more they tear down and destroy negative thoughts and emotions. The more positive thoughts we store in the non-conscious (through the QZE) the more our actions, words, and decisions will be healthy and life-giving to ourselves and to others. What is a positive thought you desire to have in place of a negative one? Use the 6 step process we have discussed a couple of times now. Remember it takes 21 days to build that thought, and another 43 for that positive thought to become a permanent part of your brain; the familiar to which the brain will default.

This week continue to practice the 11 brain helpers we have so far discussed. Do not become discouraged if they are not yet a daily habit. It takes repeated effort (QZE) to learn to daily practice them. Just keep going forward. Visualize yourself being successful in them. And be mindful to note your progress. Rejoice in that progress! It means there is healing taking place within your brain and by default, within your body, as well. HalleluYah!

Until next time…

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger; abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13