Memo from Brain to Body

Photo from singularityhub.com

Recently I spent time with some wonderful people who are working hard to help their company thrive. Many of us talked about the incredible pace of life. I heard words like:

• I am so overwhelmed
• This pace is insane
• I can’t catch my breath
• I don’t know how I’m going to get everything done

Suddenly a co-worker walked in and announced that an employee had left work that morning and gone to the hospital with a raging fever. By 2:00 p.m., they weren’t sure if he was going to make it.

There was a subtle shift in mood for those of us that heard the news, as we all realized the incredible delicacy of this temporary visit called life. Our breathing slowed down and people patted others on the shoulder in passing.  The change in body language reminded me of the fact that the body believes what the brain tells it, and creates a quick synaptic action plan that orchestrates what each part of the body should in response to the message.

The body does not know the difference between real fear (your life is in immediate danger) and “what-if” fear (I think my company is going to be bought soon and what if I don’t have insurance and what if I get in an accident and what if . . .). Before the news we were walking around with adrenaline-pumped bodies, ready for fight or flight. Once we put life in perspective, we calmed down. We were thinking of someone other than ourselves as well as relishing every healthy breath we took.

The good news is that the employee is doing well. The better news is that if you want a better day, simply tell your brain to issue the memo to the rest of your body. When it sends out the This is a great day – you’re healthy, you have people you love, and you’re alive. Live it up! your body prepares itself for something wonderful.

You smile more, which sends endorphins down your spin. Others smile back, which calms your adrenaline. Suddenly, you’re not overwhelmed by work, you’re fulfilled by a life that is truly a wonderland of incredibly giving moments. But we only get so many moments. So, today, stay in each moment and love it, nourish it, be thankful for it.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross said it best:

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.