Saturday, August 8, 2009

Brain structure in relation to sex

There are fundamental differences between the male and female brain which has been timelessly observed through all cultures. Science (neurology) has made breakthroughs in discovering exactly what those differences are.

The brain is divided into two halves, the left and right hemisphere. The left is the logic orientated side (generally), with very little emotional range or lateral creativity. The right side is the emotional and creative side (generally). The left can think with words, numbers, symbols. The right can think with feelings, visions, colours.

Men and woman have basic differences between the connections between those two sides of the brain. Most men and woman fit into the description, to varying degrees, but not always.

In the masculine brain there is very little connection (and therefore communication) between the two sides of the brain. They are either thinking rationally and logically with little emotion, or they are thinking emotionally with very little logic, with the left side of their brain. So if they are working on a problem solving exercise that they have very little emotion for (mathematics, engineering, finances, physics), they are completely rational with little emotion or creativity. However, if they are working on an emotive problem (eg. their loved dog is dying, they are in love, have a loved child who needs protection, just broke up with meaningful partner, like a song) that they feel strongly about, there is little logic and rationality, and they are using the right side of the brain. So if you are dealing with them when they are dealing with a logical problem, there is little point in trying to point out the emotive factors. Apply gain-orientated logic. If they are in an emotional state, there is little point in pointing out the rational factors (such as life will go on, or the logical processes involved). Apply feeling (sooth if upset, share the joy if happy). Ie. feel for them.

The feminine mind however, has a lot of connections (and therefore communication) between the two sides of the brain. The brain moves easily between emotional/creative thought and logical, rational thought. An example is "women's intuition". A female mind can feel something then apply logic. That's why they are capable of talking about emotions. If you are helping a female mind dealing with a problem, either logical or emotional, point out factors that make sense both logically and emotionally. Neither aspect can be ignored.

As stated before, your physical sex is an indication of your brain's sex, but different people show differing degrees of these connections. Occasionally people have brain's that are completely different from the norm.

Friday, August 7, 2009

You can only fly

You're like a butterfly
With a clipped wing
You can only fly
With a certain swing
You're like a midnight flower
You need your hour
You're like a rising star
You're free to fall far
Free to fall like a butterfly...

(return to start, repeat)

Late '90s

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Quotations from others

The little unremembered acts of kindness and love are the best parts of a person's life.
William Wordsworth

Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you.
Rumi

Act as if what you do makes a difference, it does.
William James

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.
Buddha

For everything you have missed, you've gained something else.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph.
Marvin Phillips

I can therefore I am.
Simone Weil

Your daily life is your temple and religion. When you enter into it, take with you your all.
Kahlil Gibran

We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do.
Samuel Smiles

Be realistic. Plan for a miracle.
Anon

Our life is a creation of our mind.
Buddha

Please notice when you are happy.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jnr.

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour onto others without getting a few drops on yourself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never miss a opportunity to give encouragement.
George Adams

When you do nothing you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.
Anon

Feel yourself being quietly drawn by a deeper pull of what you truly love.
Anon

Get down on your knees and thank God you are still on your feet.
Irish proverb

When you get into a tight place never give up, for that is just the time and place that the tide will turn.
Harriet Beecher Stowe

You are a rare pattern.

Be yourself, there is no one better qualified.
Anon

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength, give thanks for your food, and the joy of living.
Tecumseh Shawnee Chief

The best thing to give to yourself is respect.
Francis Maitland Balfour

Be thankful for everything that happens to you.
Anon

Remember, day by day,
to scatter seeds of kindness
as you pass along the way.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Whatever difficulties you have had in the past, you can make a fresh start today.
Buddha

Never stop believing in dreaming, and never stop dreaming of believing. That's what gives us hope and what keeps us alive.
Anon

Keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life.
Kahlil Gibran

If you have much,
give of your wealth.
If you have little,
give of your heart.
Proverb

If you are in search of the greatest treasure, don't look outside, look within.
Rumi

Work like you don't need the money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
Dance like no one is watching.
Anon

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hitch your wagon to a star.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do what is right. Strive with all your might. Develop as fully as you can the gifts you have been given, and never stop learning.
Ludwig Van Beethoven

Don't count your days, make your days count.
Anon

Helping depressed people.

This information is inspired by a Beyond Blue pamphlet.
If you know someone who is depressed, here are some do's and don't to help them.

Do:
Spend time talking about their experiences and how they feel about it. Listen to what they are trying to express. They may not be looking for advice, and having someone just listen and understand may be all they need. Maintain eye contact and sit with open body language. Be relaxed. Use open-ended questions. If the conversation becomes awkward and they get angry, stay calm, and back down from any opinion that might be antagonistic or insensitive. Depression is often suppressed anger arising from feeling oppressed by a problem.

Tell you have noticed a change in their behaviour. For example "I notice you aren't as enthusiastic about your passions anymore. What's let the air out of your balloon?"

Let them know you aren't going to judge them for what they tell you.

If you are worried that they are in danger (suicidal, likely to take dangerous risks, stopped doing whats needed to maintain basic survival) suggest seeing a doctor, counsellor or other mental health professional. If they are unlikely to achieve it through their own efforts, assist them and check up on progress.

Talk openly about depression and help them find information relating to depression or whatever is causing the depression.

Encourage them to socialise (in whatever capacity suits them), eat well and exercise (in whatever capacity they will enjoy).

Keep in contact and encourage their nearest and dearest (good friends and healthy family) to do the same thing.

Often just spending the time shows someone cares and can pick up their mood.

Take care of yourself. If you fall apart yourself you won't be able to help anyone!

Don't - It's unhelpful to:
Pressure them to "snap out of it", "get their act together" or "cheer up" (negation).

Avoid them or ostracize them.

Tell them to "get out more" "get a life" or stay busy (denial).

Encourage them to party hard or get very intoxicated on alcohol and drugs to mask how they feel.

Assume the problem will just vanish of it's own volition.

Added points (Dawn's opinions):
Depression is often caused as a reaction to something that makes them feel unexpressed anger. If they are in a situation that is oppressive in nature, feel unloved or trapped or like their personal potential is being undercut, they may not know themselves why they are depressed if they have denied their anger. Help them pinpoint the external factors that are depressing them. In cases (the majority) where the external problem isn't satisfactorally dealt with, medication will have little long term benefit. In rare instantances, it stems from a biological problem, and even then medication is still a band-aid solution.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

In spires, a Light

The spirit reminds me
I must speak
My heart Being
Brought back to earth

In spires, a Light
Eye sees the throat
Such Love is
Equal in death and birth.

18.03.01