Have you ever wondered how many problems you solve in a day?
Problems like:
Which is the best route to drive to a destination?
How to utilize resources more effectively?
How to save costs?
How to resolve conflicts and respond to customer complaints?
And even things like, where to go for dinner?
Our brains must be very powerful to help us live this life of problems and resolutions. On average, a human brain contains 86bn neurons . These neurons form neural pathways to communicate with various parts/cells of the whole nervous system, which in turn controls all functions within a human body/mind. Based on how these neurons fire, the brain develops a plasticity, which means “neurons that fire together, wire together”/”neurons that fire apart, wire apart”
What does all this mean?
It means that the more you use your brain in a certain manner, the more you tend to use the brain in the same manner, which creates a somewhat vicious circle. The responses become more automatic as habits form. You may end up solving problems when the circumstances may not require you to do so. Is it a good thing? One may argue that a balanced use of the brain – a mix of activities that focus on various areas of the brain, might be beneficial in living a more balanced life.
Solving problems and advising effective solutions comes very naturally to me so one of the ways I create a balance is by going outdoor rock climbing. We go as a group but we climb in pairs – a climber and a belayer who holds the rope.
Rock climbing provides me with challenge – I have to find small crevices and holds to climb up the rock face. It encourages me to be present in the moment and connect with my senses. When I am belaying a climber and I can’t see him, the tension of the rope tells me if he is okay and what I have to do next to help him climb.
Climbing allows me to feel the air, appreciate nature when I am above the ground level and away from the noise of everyday life. It makes me realize that life is balanced very precariously around various subtle things and if one falters, the balance is very easily disturbed.
But above all, It allows me to accept that all I can do is be my best and trust in the outcome.
