Are you Left Brain or Right Brain?

I was a Bio Sci major in college. One of my favorite subjects was Neurobiology next to Molecular Biology. I was very fascinated about how the brain worked and looked forward to lab and doing some dissecting.  I still remember freaking out my roommates because I took home (and refrigerated) a partial brain of a lab rat.  I don't really recall now why I could take the brain home or maybe I was just a klepto.  Well, while the formaldehyde soaked lab organ was preserved in the fridge next to leftover Chinese food and pizza, I was just as favorably eager to pull out my canvas and oil paints, or my sketch pad for some R&R to escape and take a reprieve from my analytical and scientific brain activity that consumed most of my day.  I often forgot where the time went for every time I immersed myself in my creative world.

Don't get me wrong.  I love science.  I also love world history.  And business.  And reading the Wall Street Journal.  And, intellectual conversations.  And sitting around doing nothing...just to regroup and recharge. But, my love of all loves is A.R.T.  I actually FEEL a super charge of neurons firing and electrifying in my entire being when I talk about and DO art, photography, writing, and design.  It's like experiencing an endorphin rush but double or triple the dosage. My spirit shoots up into the Universe and back in the speed of light accompanied by the beauty and spark of fireworks that makes the experience so metaphysically indescribable.  "Your eyes light up," is often what people will say who are closest to and know me well. "I hear it in your voice," is another common comment.  I am naturally high from the vision of colors that expands my imagination.  I become very excited to create.  The  neurotransmitters are on overdrive.  I re-experience in my mind the delight of childhood when I had felt freest and happiest because I was doing what I loved, and my spirit was carefree and fearless.  I felt like I could do anything and I CAN  do anything.  I am evolving and realigning myself into the person that I have always been meant to be.  It has taken me some time to finally get it but I realize that my gift for "interior design" is both about breathing life into a home and a fashion line, and also about breathing life into a lost and dimmed spirit.  The journey is both yours and mine. In creativity, I am most joyous, spontaneous, content and at peace.  I thank my left brain for its contribution to my take charge and practical approach life skills.  If it weren't for its existence, it could not have logically reminded me that its right brain counterpart is truly my real boss at the end of the day.  

Which side of your brain drives your passion and dreams the most?  Is your passion about the study of the Universe or following the calling of the Universe? 

This Mercedes Benz ad brilliantly and creatively illustrates the strengths of the left and right brain. I of course prefer life in LIVING COLOR. 

Sometimes, we cross the bridge back and forth:

But one thing is for sure:   DO WHAT YOU LOVE and LOVE WHAT YOU DO.

And hey, visit other like-minded souls who are doing what they love and see how they are living life: 

https://www.facebook.com/RightBrainJourneys
Right Brain Journeys

Take the time each day, in a minute, to .......

Be grateful.  .

Relax.  

Connect.

Gain Perspective.

Think about YOU and DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

"Whatever the mind of man [and woman] can conceive, and believe, it can achieve."  Napoleon Hill.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE.

"This is your LIFE."  The Holstee Manifesto starts off with these profound words.  This powerful introduction is then followed with, "Do what you love, and do it often." Before I know it, I am having an uncontrollable ugly cry and saying, "Yes. Yes. Yes.," in my heartfelt efforts to agree.  At that instant, it is the only thing that makes the most sense in my heart that can fix my suffering.  This heartache that I call suffering of course is humbly revealed in the next two lines that say, "If you don't like something, change it.  If you don't like your job, QUIT." More tears.  I look up to God and pray.  My tearful eyes also glance at the images of photographs that I recently took that I have framed but are now collecting dust in front of the fireplace. They are one of my fabulous business projects that I am trying to launch but have lost some momentum with.  Meanwhile, the landscape of my troubled mind flashes back into my childhood tapping into a time when I felt freest and happiest while growing up on a tropical island, loving every moment of my daily swim and frolic at the beach, climbing fruit trees, creating stuff--drawing, making necklaces from special seeds and beads, collecting shells, making handbags, observing and helping my grandmother decorate her home,  learning how to keep the orchids and roses blooming and well watered, sewing my first handkerchief around age six, etcetera. In warp speed, everything that I loved and still love came flooding back into my consciousness.  I continue to stare at the Manifesto which loudly shouts a concluded message that,  "LIFE IS SHORT. Live your dream and share your passion."

Sometime between childhood and now, we had to grow up and become responsible adults. This responsibility for some of us didn't necessarily include doing what we loved but doing what someone else wanted us to do.  If this resonates with you, then you're not alone! Likewise, I'm not alone! In my household, that idea was defined as doing something considered a respectable profession which provided prestige and financial security.  The life goal had to be practical, whatever practical meant.  For me, it was my family's dream that I became a medical doctor.  But, my dream was to be an artist, an editor, an interior or fashion designer...even a singer because I wanted to be Marie Osmond back in the day. Instead, I heard, "Well, you can't make money being an artist."  The knife pierced through my heart and the light in me dimmed quickly. There's nothing like killing one's passion and dream with words that can suddenly make you feel so cut off from your true essence and uncertain of your true existence. When you believe it enough, you abandon the dream and reluctantly but obediently choose a different path.  You grow over time in doubt and fear about certain fundamental life decisions, questioning if they will be good enough for everyone else. However, in the core of your being, you have a burning secret, a burning desire that has been buried alive. Over your lifetime, its heartbeat gains more pulse, calling out for freedom and abundantly pouring out its love.  You recognize it right away and it cannot be contained.  It chases after you because it is your divine destiny to be "IT."  

What is the "it" for you?  What burning desire calls to you?  What did you stumble into between childhood and now that brought life into your imagination and passion into your dreams?  What have you discovered and enjoyed that has been effortless, soul-rejuvenating and made you lose track of time? 

 As the saying goes, this life is no dress rehearsal.  We have one shot.  This is your life.  What do you love to do?

WORDS OF THE WISE:

"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.  Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things that you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you."  --Maya Angelou, poet, writer, speaker

IN A MINUTE, You Could.....

Be Grateful.  Write a thank you card.

Relax.  Close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly three times.

Connect.  Pick up the phone to call someone you haven't seen in a while.

Gain Perspective.  Look out the window toward the horizon.

Think about YOU.  List three things you love.