Change Your Focus to Change Your BrainWe have all witnessed the rapid brain growth that happens during the first few years of a child’s life. Research shows that although this process slows down in adulthood, it continues to occur throughout life. As we learn and gain new experiences, some neural connections are strengthened while others are minimized or eliminated, a process called synaptic pruning. This ability to create new neural pathways and alter or reinforce existing ones is known as neuroplasticity,or brain plasticity; it refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt as a result of our experiences—both positive and negative.
In 1949, Donald Hebb, often referred to as the father ofneuropsychology, famously said, “Neurons that fire together, wire together.” In other words, the brain reinforces what we repeatedly focus on. With that in mind, it behooves us to deliberately adjust our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to hardwire positive memories and experiences into the brain. By practicing gratitude regularly, we proactively train our brains to notice the good in life. In doing so, we build a foundation of positive memories and experiences. We can then draw upon this wealth of positivity to boost and support us when difficulties arise. Over time, we learn to become better observers of the good in our lives and simultaneously become more appreciative—and when the inevitable losses and challenges come along, we have internalized resources to draw upon.
Because of the brain’s extraordinary capacity to continue to grow and strengthen new neural networks, it is possible to change our mindset, even despite genetics, past trauma, or life circumstances. But to do so, we must first learn how to overcome certain
propensities we have inherited from our ancestors.
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