Gratitude That I Exist

I saw this quote from Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor on Twitter recently and just had to share it.  How better of a way to view gratitude then by something that is so simple and easy to grasp.  So without further ado, here is the quote.

Jill Bolte Taylor ‏@DrJBT

I wiggle my fingers in front of my face and for this present moment I smile from within from gratitude that I exist at all 

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is the author of "My Stroke Of Insight" which is a very good book!  You can also read my review on her book.

My Stroke Of Insight And Cognitive Loops In My Brain

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor wrote an excellent book about her journey of recovery from a stroke.  She has wonderful insight into dealing with a stroke that applies to many aspects of life.  If you would like to read my review of this book, click this link.

When I become conscious of what cognitive loops my brain is running, I then focus on how these loops feel physiologically inside my body.  Do I feel alert?  Are my eyes dilated?   Is my breath deep or shallow?  Do I feel tightness in my chest?  Do I feel lightness in my head?  Is my stomach upset?  Do I feel antsy or anxious?  Are my legs jiggling?  Neuronal loops (circuits) of fear, anxiety or anger, can be triggered by all sorts of different stimulation.  But once triggered, these different emotions produce a predictable physiological response that you can train yourself to consciously observe. - Pg 151, My Stroke Of Insight by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

My Stroke Of Insight Book Review

My Stroke Of Insight
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

I've just found a favorite new book! This book is My Stroke Of Insight by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. I had not heard about Dr. Taylor until I saw her being interviewed by Oprah on OWN. When I heard what she had to say, I just had to get the book and I am sure glad that I did. It is an outstanding book in so many ways.

While My Stroke Of Insight is written by a stroke survivor, the application of this book fits into so many other places. I didn't go through a stroke, but I suffered paralysis from a conversion disorder. Much of what Dr. Taylor writes about, resonates highly with what I experienced. In fact, as I was reading through the book, there were some of those ah ha moments that made me take notice.

I'm amazed at just how resilient our brain is and how the different parts of the brain work together to give us life and the experiences we have. All too often we don't appreciate our brain enough for all that it does. We only get one of these biological organs and we need to take care of it.

Pain Helps Get Our Attention

Pain Helps Get
Our Attention

I keep running across a recurring theme lately in regards to pain.  These are not new concepts to me, but I feel they are trying to get my attention.  As I was reading on page 157 of "My Stroke Of Insight" by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, the message once again appeared.  Just as she stated, I know pain helps get our attention.

Here is the quote that I especially liked.  "Pain is the tool our cells use to communicate to our brain that there is trauma somewhere in our body.  Our cells stimulate our pain receptors in order to get our brain to focus and pay attention."  All I can say is EXACTLY!

All too often, we focus on ways to get rid of the pain, rather than listening to the pain.  Yes, I know that some are probably saying, but I can't take the pain anymore.  I hear you.  I've been there!  However, the pain is not the enemy.  In many ways, it is our friend.  The more we connect to it, the more we will dissipate the energy of the pain.

Top Book Reviews For Feb 2012

Top Book Reviews
Feb 2012

This month's top book reviews is going to be different. I am sure I could find some book that would fit in with the mind body and valentines day, but that isn't how I operate most of the time. Instead, I'm sharing three book titles that I have just purchased and are now on my reading list.

The first book that I'm anxious to read is by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. The title of this book is "My Stroke Of Insight". I saw her on a show on the OWN channel where Oprah was talking to her about a stroke she had been through in her life. I imagine it is very difficult to recover from a stroke and I know one other lady who is a healer, who recovered in natural ways from a stroke. While I've never been through a stroke, I experienced paralysis and virtually a complete memory loss. I'm always excited to learn about how others have dealt with this and see what I can learn. I've even more excited when I can learn the inner workings of the brain. This will be the first of the three books that I am planning on reading just as soon as I get finished with my current one.