Growth or Atrophy….
By
You are not doing the same things the same way because you are old….. You are old because you are doing the same things the same way.
I love science. More importantly I love the new directions science is taking. I have written here before about science finally realising what the great spiritual teachers have always known. But my latest discovery is just too delicious.
There is a new field in medical science, known as Neuroplasticity. This field of study is challenging our old, outmoded ideas that the brain is a static organ and the abilities or intelligence that you are born with, is pretty much what you are stuck with. Neuroplasticity explores the brains ability to create new neural pathways and synapses as a result of changes in behavior, environment and neural processes etc.
The reason I love this work so much, is because it is now confirming what I have long believed to be true. Not only are we NOT victims of our hereditary… but the reason that we age… or at least one of the reasons (the other being expectation and the collective consciousness)… is because we don’t exercise our brains, we don’t explore new possibilities… basically we just repeat the same old things, in the same old manner, because that is how we have always done things.
When we do this repeatedly over the years…. the neural pathways in our brains become like grooves on an old vinyl record…. ingrained, and entrenched, and we quite literally become a rut. With no new stimulation… our brains age, taking the rest of our bodies with them. Science is now saying that the human body was designed to live to at least 125 years old. Now when I say that to someone like my own dad (80 years old)… he freaks out. He doesn’t want to live that long. Because in his mind (and therefore in his experience), he believes that getting older means getting frailer, weaker, unable to enjoy life. But this absolutely does not need to be the case.
New experiences…. or even just doing the same things, but doing them in a different way… forces the brain to create new neural pathways, which in actuality is EXACTLY what keeps us young… or at the very least, prevents us from getting old before our time.
So next time you go to do the same old thing the same old way, you have done it a million and one times before… STOP… and think for second… is there another way (maybe even a better way) that I could be doing this… or even better… is there something completely different I could be doing instead. Life has only two directions.. growth… or atrophy!!
NB//… I’m going to add a little footnote here, as this post is not being very well received by some people. It seems that many people (myself included to a degree), are very “invested” in their physical limitations and those of their loved ones, so much so that they are willing to quite literally fight to the death to defend them. I want to just say… we are not our stories. We are not defined by our past suffering, or by the perceived suffering of getting older. Just because something has been a certain way in the past, does not mean that it must always be that way in the future. If you wish to fight for your limitations, then they will surely be yours. I understand that many are not ready to hear this message…. I write to those who are.
39 Comments
Atrophy can be delayed but is can’t be stopped… I was taking to my wife just today about how I seem to be slowing down and don’t think as quickly as I used to. It’s bothersome.
and now you have a choice… you can accept that as a “natural and normal” part of ageing (which is bollocks), or you can do something about it. Choice is ALWAYS yours.
I see your point, but the body was never designed to live beyond a certain time. It can’t be stopped, only slowed. Sorry, not trying to be negative, really!
I hear you… but I think that “certain time” is much later than we come to collectively agree upon. And there is NO reason that it has to be a downhill slide. Collective conscious suggested that over the age of 40 people’s eye sight for example degenerates. I’m almost 47, and still have 20/20… with NO intention of ever having to wear glasses. The power of mind has been WAY underestimated. It’s time that changed.
Love to see you into this! I studied cognitive science and use it often as a frame for my own personal growth and exploration. I hope more people discover it as you have, and realize how immense our power and potential is. Stay well
Thank you so much… and I sincerely hope more people find it as well.
i can hardly type i;m so atrophied…lol really just kidding
lol xxoo
Sorry TL, I intended a completely positve and affirmative response to your “very insightful” post… (please take that as the YEAH MAN I meant to leave.) As for the response I left for Genie…did not mean to but in or step on toes…but really? Good grief. Love you girl..and you are CORRECT! Age is a number…not a sentence! I intend on living and growing and changing until the day I die. Hopefully at the ripe old age of 125! <3
“Age is a number, not a sentence” – LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT… I haven’t actually heard that before, but that is priceless.
And here’s to you and me living it up until we are 125!!! I always tell my son that I am going to be one of those 80 year olds who jumps out of aeroplanes (hopefully with a parachute).
I made that line up…at least I think I did, I’ve never heard anyone else say it. As for the jumping out of planes? You want to do it here or there? I’m down with that!
I’ll check your parachute if you check mine…If, that is, we both remember to check them at all. Either way, I’m screaming bloody murder all the way down…xoxo
In two minds about this post… love the idea of going to 125, half way the now, the only problem is my mind would probably make it as it never shuts up… but what I did to the body years ago, is not going to make it a very pleasant life… I agree in a way with your Dad not sure I want to go that long, … the body I’m not sure if it is designed to last that long, the mind maybe, which makes sense,, that the body should go before the mind…
Just relised that although I follow Genie, she obviously never reads my blog, as I often refer to my family, without giving them the chance to defend themselves…
I’m sorry to say that if someone is doing or writing something on a blog that you don’t like stop following them… no one forces you to read a specific blog… Just now I’ll have someone telling me my spelling or grammar is incorrect……
Science is telling us that the body was in fact designed to live that long… it is just our own preconceived notions of ageing, that causes it to do so. The body is designed to heal and to regenerate. You have an entirely new body every 7 years.
Now just because I know all this in theory, doesn’t mean I know it all practically speaking. Yesterday I was down with a migraine. I have been having them for over 35 years. There have been many many MANY times that I have just wanted it all to end. And honestly, if I thought for one moment that I would still be having them at 70, I would just check out now. But I DO believe there is an answer. I DO believe that I can figure this out and end the suffering, and if I didn’t believe that, I am not sure I would even bother getting out of bed.
I believe with my entire heart and every bit of my soul, that the very best is yet to come, and that means in the area of health as much as anything else.
As for Genie… I gather that she needed to vent and I was just “handy”. It’s no biggie.
Migraine, why even mention that word, I had my first when 7 years old and still suffer from the today 54 odd years later, if there was a way to outgrow them I would have, 30 odd years ago I went nearly 7 years without one, then they came back… and I can get up to 3 in a week… now tell me I should have a wish to live to 125…. all I want is that my mind continues to develope and learn till that last day,, but what I have put this body through in all the years… it will not make it… But hey… I hope you get over the Migraines in some way and that you make it to 125… good luck to you… Genie and a bad day,…!!!! unnecessary…
I can’t even imagine 7 years without a headache, let alone a migraine.. but I WILL know it one day. I don’t know how, I don’t know when…. but I do know it. I have literally wasted half my life to physical pain, but it is not enough to deter me. Somebody out there owes me half a life back… I am damnwell going to claim it.
This is so true, and only now am I breaking out of the mould. I have been stuck in the same old rut for many years. Now I’m opening up to new challenges, awakening new passions, following my heart to pastures unknown. It’s quite scary at first,; change usually is. But once you step out on the path of new beginnings, other paths start to open up, and suddenly you realise your life is changing too. It’s very liberating. I’Blessings from Lizzie Joy
I’m so happy for you Lizzie…. remember, your dreams lie just outside your comfort zone… you go girl!!!!!
Age is a number – I wish that was completely true – there is more to it than that – there is no way we can fool ourselves with thinking that we have the same energy and strength at 70 as we had at 50. Doesn’t matter how active we are – the body slows down, it’s just that simple.
Have during the last 15 years said, that I want my 30th’s body – be 40 and have my 65 years of experience – but that will never happen. My mum became 90 last months – her body has given up and everything is a struggle for her … but her brain is crystal clear. So don’t tell me that age is a number. So long the heart and soul stays young plus that the healthy stands by us … we are okay.
I guess the mass collective consciousness just isn’r ready for the truth… which is why it is still “collective consciousness”… I am not there myself yet… but I totally believe in the possibility. I know that at 40 I was stronger and fitter than I was at 20, but I was working at it. I have very little fitness right now because of all the time I spend on the computer. But I believe every word I wrote (even though my own experience tells me different right now). What I experience today is the result of yesterdays thinking… if I want a different tomorrow, then it’s todays thinking that must change.
Tracie, I’m sure if we compare 20 and 40 … I think age is really a plus. Would love to be 40 again, 40-50 was my best years, 35 and onward a couple of years were the worst I think. Still can we be fit at 60 and 70, but the body starts to feel the age. Still the heart and soul is the main thing … for our health and wellbeing. Tomorrow is a blank canvas for most of us that are healthy – so doesn’t matter what age we are it’s us that fills tomorrow – it’s us that holds the brushes. I really enjoyed your post.
Great ariticle. I want to read more on this so I will look for articles or a book on the topic. Any recommendations?
So interesting. Tracie, you might like the book The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge.
I will check it out.. thank you
Great post! Hope that I can stop myself from doing things the same way and look for that new path. Sounds like an exciting field of study.
It is Deborah.. and just think of all the fun you can have exploring new ways of doing things and brand new possibilities… totally exciting.
Love your post, very esoteric thinking. Not a path, however, that everyone is on and we are only limited by our choice to stay firmly connected to this reality, to this physical illusion. Admittedly, I’m at the other end of the spectrum. LOL. But one day, science and spirituality will meet with the realization they are one in the same.
“one day science and spirituality will meet with the realisation they are one in the same”…. totally agree, and really do hope that it happens in my lifetime… reason enough for me to want a long and healthy life. Thanks so much for the comment.
How will I accept myself tomorrow? I realize I’m suppose to be one way or, another but, what if I’m not? What if, I’m better than that? It is possible, you know. Or, must I conform to what everyone else has designed for my age? I don’t have to act my age, do I?
BRILLIANT!!!!!!! Couldn’t have said that better myself… and in fact, I didn’t. But you said it PERFECTLY!!! I have never looked my age, because I refuse to act it. Most people are shocked to see that I have a 21 year old son. Good genes, maybe (who knows I was adopted)…. but Good Attitude more likely. LOVE your comment Dave… YOU ROCK.
Oh I love this post! I tell people all the time that I’m quick witted because I want to be and that I’m happy because I want to be. Everyone seems to think that it’s a gift that I’m smart. I still insist that I’m smart because I want to be. I read, memorize, think critically. It keeps my mind strong.
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I 100% agree… I am creative because I choose to be. It’s all up to us!!! Thanks so much
You are very welcome!
Thanks for stopping by and liking my blog. I LOVE yours! Your photography is amazing and the above blog made me so excited. I believe every single word of what you wrote and plan to die with my boots on rather than stagnate! Thanks so much for sharing!
I can’t tell you how happy that makes me to hear that. I have no idea why it bothers me so much, but the idea of sitting around waiting to die, drives me nuts. It is my fervent wish that EVERYONE die with their boots firmly fastened, living every last moment to the fullest
Thanks for visiting my site. I agree with you. Growth is invigorating, and I am having the time of my life trying new things and taking risks at 56. I am just getting started! Keeping the body and mind challenged is so important. Your photos were food for my soul today – beautiful!
And thank you so much for returning the visit… I am so glad that you enjoyed what you saw, and even happier to hear that you are embracing all that life as to offer. My hubby is 56, and we have such adventurous plans for the future… life is only just beginning.
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