Thoughtful Sparks

Welcome to The Thoughtful Spark!

So, what’s a thoughtful spark, you might ask?

Technically, a spark is a small fiery energetic reaction.

And how about thoughtful?

Careful consideration is one definition.

Acting kindly is another.

Now the average human brain generates 45 thoughts per minute, and the average person has 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts per day. That’s a dizzying number of thoughts!

Wouldn’t it be nice if all those thoughts were creative, productive, and positive?

Alas, science has demonstrated that 95% of our thoughts are repetitive, and of those, 75% are negative.

That’s good news for the anti-depressant industry, the adult beverage, nicotine, and entertainment industries as well. They know we crave relief from what Prince Hamlet called “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” i.e., life is tough.

That’s why our little reptilian brain, the amygdala, (coming from the Latin word, amygdalon, meaning “almond,” because this ganglion at the base of the cerebellum is almond shaped and sized) works overtime for us. “SOS! BE CAREFUL! FLEE! NO!!!” it’s been shouting since we were tots and learned about the hot stove or that yanking our sibling’s toy away is not cool. The amygdala’s scary and negative messages are so ingrained in us that our emotions are primed to jump into action flooding us with adrenaline and cortisol, the fight or flight mojo, at a nano second’s notice leaving our slow stirring frontal neocortex where logical and lofty thoughts are formed, left at the gate.

“No hard feelings big brain,” the amygdala snorts, “my job is to keep this human wary, competitive, and fearing the worst. That’s how humans stay safe, successfully round up food, nail a mate, and motivate themselves to change.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of my dog-eat-dog amygdalin messages. And I know from Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare who and what wins the race.

That’s where The Thoughtful Spark comes in. It’s a blog to help you create a shift in your thoughts from tales of woe to what it takes to succeed at the game of life

How? Act like the tortoise. Slow down. Be aware of the chatter in your head. Deliberately choose your next thought by focusing on the NOW. Notice the orchestra of bird song around you. Revel in the freckles on your child’s face, on the checkout person’s face at Kroger, or on your own face. Let the earthy smell of newly cut grass douse you with visions of summer, bare feet, picnics. Taste that tomato plucked from the vine, squirting Vitamin C, and sunshine on your tongue. Take the arm of an elderly person and help them get up the steps, or across the street. Feel your strength support their rickety frame. Feel their gratitude.

I promise you, taking time to notice your “thoughtful sparks” will knock your amygdala into the cheap seats. You’ll feel good. You may even feel WONDER, which, by the way, is the secret to eternal youth.

And, hint, hint, getting good at noticing these thoughtful sparks should help you to start listening to the voice deep within you, the one that always steers you right, the one that encourages you to assume leadership of your own life. That’s the first step in becoming a Heard Leader.

Cheery bye,

Susanna