Editorial: Thankful Determination

It is the time of year where we count our blessings and realize all that we have to be thankful for.

If you stop and really think about it, you might find that your blessings outnumber your struggles.

You might see that when you focus on the good and let the shadows fall behind you, you feel better.

Sometimes it’s hard to look on the bright side though. Turn on the news, it’s bad. Hop on social media, it’s worse. Phone a friend… you get the idea.

It is hard to have a positive mindset when you feel like you are marinating in a negativity stew.

Thinking positive isn’t easy, especially if you struggle with depression or grief.

However, it is because of those things that positivity is so important.

Choosing to “think positive” may actually wire your brain to think positive in the future.

“Neurons that fire together, wire together.”

Hear me out…

The phrase is a simplified version of Hebbian dynamics, a principle in neuroscience that states that if two neurons in the brain are repeatedly activated at the same time, their connection becomes stronger. This process strengthens neural pathways, making them more efficient over time, explaining how the brain learns and forms habits. This experience-dependent neuroplasticity means the brain can change and adapt throughout life based on repeated thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

How It Works (Courtesy of Google)

Synaptic strengthening: When neurons are activated simultaneously, the connection (synapse) between them is strengthened.

Repeated activation: The more often this simultaneous firing occurs, the more efficient the connection becomes, leading to a more ingrained neural pathway.

Neural networks: This repeated strengthening forms networks of connected neurons that fire in a coordinated way, which can become the basis for a specific thought, behavior, or skill.

Physical changes: This process isn’t just abstract; repeated use can lead to physical changes in the brain, such as the strengthening of specific brain regions.

Examples

Learning a new skill: When learning to play an instrument, the neural pathways associated with that skill are repeatedly activated, strengthening those connections until the actions become more automatic.

Developing habits: Similarly, repeating a behavior over and over again strengthens the “wiring” for that behavior, making it the default response.

Practicing gratitude: Repeatedly focusing on what you are grateful for creates and strengthens specific neural pathways, making it easier to process gratitude in the future.

Translation, your repeated thoughts and actions create a well-beaten path in your brain, each time you repeat thoughts or feelings, you make the pathway stronger. You make it easier and quicker to get there next time. Your negative thoughts can make you more negative over time. The darkness compounds.

It takes stubborn determination to break old patterns, but it is possible.

They say you are what you eat, well, you become what you think, so change your mindset.

When you wake up in the morning, think of three things you are grateful for.

That’s an easy one, my feet hit the floor, I’m above ground and I get to take in the beauty of this world for one more day. What are your three things?

If you start to think the worst, say “Not today, Satan!” and try to think of a positive outcome for the situation.

You will always find what you are looking for, so look for the good.

Brief side quest: A thing that my family and I do every year at Thanksgiving is list the things we are thankful for, then we give thanks for those blessings. Some things mentioned are: health, children/grandchildren, family, friends, and a roof overhead.

Everyone’s list is different but the idea is the same; focus on the good and let the bad fade away.

What are you thankful for? Have a blessed Thanksgiving.