how to move forward with your story...and rewrite the ending

 

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the mindboggling research that has changed the way we look at genetics. For a storyteller, it offers elements of fantasy, mystery, and adventure. The fact that our genes express themselves differently depending on our environment and experience. The fact that we have the ability to modify the traits we pass on to future generations. The incomprehensible complexity, interconnectedness, and precision of it all. 

"You must find the place inside yourself

where nothing is impossible."

~Deepak Chopra~

But that was then...and this is now. Now we're into mindblowing research...research into the brain, and the world of neuroplasticity: the brain's ability to change itself. Back in the 1970s, we were taught that the central nervous system could not repair or restore itself following injury, whether through trauma, stroke, or illness. We have since learned that this is not entirely true. The nervous system has the ability to adapt, compensate, and restore lost function. Let's say you sustain a cut, and afterwards, your finger is numb. Then gradually sensation returns as the nerves develop new connections. They repair themselves. Years ago, paralyzing strokes spelled the end for patients. They were left bedridden and helpless. Now we know that many patients can learn to walk again with appropriate rehab and retraining. The nerves establish new connections, and function is restored. This remodeling is the basis for neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change.

In fact, the brain is continously remodeling itself. Injury is not required to trigger the process. The brain changes in response to the environment, our experiences, stress, and learning. Just our thoughts have the ability to change our brains!

"Our brains renew themselves

throughout life

to an extent previously thought

not possible."

~Michael S. Gazzaniga~

Imagine it! You can promote neuroplasticity by exposing yourself to new experiences, by setting out to learn new skills, and by considering new and different perspectives. A passion for life, enthusiasm, and purpose all promote neuroplasticity. 

The key is awareness. Being skeptical of habitual responses. Examining past conditioning. Naming your emotions. Exploring your core beliefs. Cultivating empathy. Seeking support. This makes it possible to cultivate happiness and compassion the same way we learn to play golf or master a musical instrument. With practice and intention.

This is good news for those of us in the medical profession. It gives our patients hope, and it gives new meaning to the word "recovery." For those of us who are aging faster than we had hoped we would, it gives us a tool to wield against the decline we associate with growing older. It is a powerful force against depression and anxiety. 

It enables us to move forward with our story, and to rewrite the ending.

"Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it."

~Mary Oliver~

jan

how to summon the courage it takes

 

It takes great courage to write, to tether a fleeting thought long enough to translate it into words. To tap it out on a keyboard, or to get it down on paper.  As writers, we encounter opposition no matter what we attempt. 

"A writer is someone for whom

writing is more difficult 

than it is for other people."

~Thomas Mann~

We all have an  inner critic, a disparaging voice that insists we'll never find success as a writer. That we're not talented enough, or smart enough, or dedicated enough. That we're foolish, or selfish, or conceited for frittering our time away when we're capable of so much more. Feeding the poor. Sheltering the homeless. Or, in my case, healing the sick. 

As if our own misgivings weren’t bad enough, we may hear other voices. It might be the voice of a parent or partner imploring us to get serious, or ranting at us about earning a decent living or planning a secure future. It may be the voice of a teacher or boss or co-worker, all of them claiming to have our "best interests at heart" as they scatter disparagement along the path (as if the storyteller's journey wasn't difficult enough without them).

The thing that prevents us from writing might be as simple as a looming deadline at work, or a sick child at home, or an unexpected visit from a friend.

It could be fear masquerading as anger, or sorrow that feels like loneliness, or uncertainty that fuels our anxiety, all of them standing in our way, all of them armed and dangerous. These are our demons. The enemy. But it's all a hoax. They are just as scared, and angry, and confused as we are. 

 "If you hear a voice inside your head

that says, 'You can't paint,'

then, by all means, 

paint."

~Vincent van Gogh~

I have learned it's futile to argue with these demons. Not only do they lie, but they don't listen to reason. They're stubborn, and persistent. I tend to steer clear of confrontation, so instead of picking a fight today, I invited a few of them in for happy hour. It's  a strategy called, "Feeding your demons." I mean, who can resist good food?

I'm planning to serve a vintage red wine, not too dry, not too sweet, accompanied by a colorful charcuterie platter. This will be followed by some kind of gooey confection made with dark chocolate. We'll finish things off with fresh fruit to cleanse the palate. 

We'll chat about the weather. I'll listen to what they have to say about the sad state of the country right now, the pandemic, and the economy. Then, when they've said what they want to say, and they've been lulled into complacency, I'll start writing again.

Defeating your demons doesn't require stockpiling weapons. It isn't about raising your voice, or escaping to safety. You must silence the dispiriting voices that are carried on the wind, that shift like the tide, that take up space in your heart. 

And that takes courage.

"Raise your words,

not your voice.

It is rain that grows flowers,

not thunder."

~Rumi~

jan

mind boggling for beginners

I was as happy as anyone to see 2020 come to an end, as if that moment in time opened some kind of transcendental portal to hope. To optimism. To relief. I did not, however, expect 2021 to dawn with mind-boggling new awareness and awe for me. Or, for it to strike so soon. Hence, my New Year's resolution for 2021:

To Increase My Cellular Telomerase Levels

If, like me, you are not a molecular biologist, or a quantum physicist, you might not understand the structure or function of telomeres. You may not even have heard of them, even though they play a key role in cell survival, and therefore, in your well-being and health. 

To oversimplify: telomeres are stretches of DNA that prevent the double helix from unraveling so the entire length of the helix can be duplicated prior to cell division. (It's complicated...) The length of the telomere determines how many times DNA can be copied accurately and completely, yielding the proteins required for the generation of new cells. When frequent cell divisions deplete telomeres, subsequent copies of the cell's DNA produce abnormal proteins, leading to malfunction, and eventually, to death of the cell. To disease. And ultimately, to death of the organism.

You want your telomeres to be as long as possible if you hope to live a good long life.

This is where telomerase comes in. Telomerase is an enzyme whose function is to lengthen telomeres. Therefore, it increases the vitality and reproducibility of stem cells, enhances health, and extends life. Meaning, you also want your telomerase levels to be as high as possible if you hope to live a good long life!

The good news is life experiences can raise telomerase levels. Good nutrition, exercise, a positive outlook on life, dwelling in happiness and gratitude, serving others, and love, especially self-love, all enhance telomerase activity. Telomerase lengthens telomeres, and long telomeres promote a long and healthy life.

"The moment you change your perception

is the moment you rewrite 

the chemistry of your body."

~Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.~

The bad news is that telomerase activity can be inhibited by common environmental stressors such as exposure to adverse prenatal conditions, childhood abuse/neglect, domestic violence, PTSD, nutritional deficiencies, and isolation or lack of love. This puts a whole new spin on the importance of diet, exercise, socialization, community, and the role of the environment in health and longevity.

But here's the kicker: the primary influence controlling telomerase activity is believed, by some cell biologists, to reside in the mind! In other words, we can consciously influence our own telomerase activity. We have the means to lengthen our own telomeres. Who knew?

"I was exhilarated by the new realization

that I could change the character of my life

by changing my beliefs."

~Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.~

When it comes to health and longevity, it turns out we have the ability to orchestrate certain aspects of our being that we previously thought were beyond our control. Conditions that predict our impending senescence may be negotiable. So, perhaps, after all, there is reason for hope. For optimism. For relief.

To be fair, not everyone believes that our cells are affected by our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Not every biologist supports the idea that the brain affects the biochemistry of cells down to their molecular structure and function. But then, not long ago many scientists dismissed the idea that blood pressure, heart rate, and even body temperature could be modulated by meditation. They had to transport groups of forward thinking Tibetan monks to research laboratories in the US, and hook them up to monitors that recorded the very phenomena they so rigorously questioned. They were mind-boggled by what they observed. The monks were able to lower their heart rates and blood pressure, and to raise their core body temperatures even in subfreezing conditions. Just by thinking about it.

Science unfolds of its own accord. Slowly. Fitfully. Haltingly. It unnerves me a bit to realize how many years I devoted to learning what has already become obsolete, or been proven wrong, or been questioned anew. It boggles my mind to contemplate the myths we embraced, the mystery that continues to unfold, and the masterpiece it reveals. You may not understand the science of cell division, or what drives it. It may be hard to grasp how it affects your health and well being, and it might seem absurd that you have any control over it. If it interests you, though...if you're curious about it...I've been studying "The Biology of Belief" by Bruce Lipton, Ph.D. If there is one thing I have learned, this is it:

"Your body's ability to heal

is greater than anyone 

has permitted you to believe."

~HEAL Documentary~

Or, maybe it's this:

"The highest form of ignorance

is when you reject something

you don't know anything about."

~Wayne Dyer~

Wish me luck with my telomeres. Good luck with yours!

jan