Science does prove this; neuroplasticity. I enjoyed your cone and cylinder analogy, thought I'd offer one back: Neuropathways are like a record. We tend to listen to the same track for a long time, the familiar answers to life we call on immediately as objective fact rather than subjective experience. "I can't do that," "can't trust people", etc. Deep grooves are created through repetition. It's difficult to unlearn something rooted in emotional "fact" from adverse experience. But we can begin playing a new record, a different message. "I will try," "I am enough," etc. No deep groves exist yet so we have to choose to play this one over the old one. But eventually a new pathway develops and we change our external world with a shift in internal perspective. And like you said, eventually evidence piles up to contradict old messages.
I have to say that virtually every article I read here hits a note somewhere in my inner ear.
This one did for me this morning as I recalled the childhood memories that told me I should not get above my allotted station in life (blue collar worker like my hard working parents) nor expect more than I received, thus warding off disappointment!
I guess that's why I spent 28 years of my life as a 💩kicking bank employee rather than aspiring to become it's CEO!
When I showed my first serious attempt at painting to my talented artistic Mother, she said "You can do better." At that point, it WAS my best, so I stopped trying.
My late husband was the only person who gave me the courage and belief that I could achieve, be, have more. He did it in a loving way, leading by example rather than lecturing and whilst he passed before "The Pat Project" was completed, he did at least, set me up for life without him.
“He did at least set me up for life without him.” That's an incredibly moving thing to be able to say about someone you've lost.
It sounds like your husband gave you something that outlived him: permission to believe that you were capable of more. I suspect “The Pat Project” isn't finished yet.
Pat, I am so sorry you lost your husband. What a gift to have been in a relationship with him, but/and, my heart aches when I read, 'he did at least, set me up for life without him. I hope you have found your what to a live that is full and meaningful, It sounds like you have.
"Every mindset runs its own private laboratory, and it prefers results that prove it right." That line stayed with me. Thank you for putting it into words so clearly🙏
I completely agree and really enjoyed reading your post!
I felt this idea resonates deeply with Zazen, which naturally leads to personal insights and letting go of doubt.
Practice of Zazen quiets the inner noise—like "shoulds," self-interest, and anxieties about the past or future. Historically, it was also one of the essential disciplines practiced by ancient Samurai.
A mindset that’s never been caught on a scan or an autopsy but somehow always shows up in the credit card statement 😆 The line that got me was “a judgment that forgot it was a judgment” — that’s basically how every stale macro thesis dies too, it just stops checking its own priors and starts calling itself a fact.
you are bang on spot to read the mind of any person and define his personality, and thats not majic though but a science you practice again and again , simply wonderful and enriching.
The How Your Mindset Shapes Your Life How old beliefs shape your choices, your character, and the direction of your life. PUBLISHED 6 DAYS AGO 377 LIKES 68 RESTACKS 21 COMMENTS framing is the part I keep coming back to. Most takes on this skip the underlying mechanism and try to win on vibes.
The world right now has a lot of opinions, including your own opinion to yourself. I find it hard, challenging rather, to guard myself from opinions that I should care less about or taking in as a "fact" or an emotional fact. This is what I keep trying on myself... i need to have my own understanding, critical thinking, sound human judgement, and do my best to practice mindfulness of my own. The world, everywhere, will feed us a lot of different opinions from different people's experiences, etc. while they could be fact, at times they might not be for us. Idk if i explained it well...
Science does prove this; neuroplasticity. I enjoyed your cone and cylinder analogy, thought I'd offer one back: Neuropathways are like a record. We tend to listen to the same track for a long time, the familiar answers to life we call on immediately as objective fact rather than subjective experience. "I can't do that," "can't trust people", etc. Deep grooves are created through repetition. It's difficult to unlearn something rooted in emotional "fact" from adverse experience. But we can begin playing a new record, a different message. "I will try," "I am enough," etc. No deep groves exist yet so we have to choose to play this one over the old one. But eventually a new pathway develops and we change our external world with a shift in internal perspective. And like you said, eventually evidence piles up to contradict old messages.
Thanks again for the article, got me thinking (:
I have to say that virtually every article I read here hits a note somewhere in my inner ear.
This one did for me this morning as I recalled the childhood memories that told me I should not get above my allotted station in life (blue collar worker like my hard working parents) nor expect more than I received, thus warding off disappointment!
I guess that's why I spent 28 years of my life as a 💩kicking bank employee rather than aspiring to become it's CEO!
When I showed my first serious attempt at painting to my talented artistic Mother, she said "You can do better." At that point, it WAS my best, so I stopped trying.
My late husband was the only person who gave me the courage and belief that I could achieve, be, have more. He did it in a loving way, leading by example rather than lecturing and whilst he passed before "The Pat Project" was completed, he did at least, set me up for life without him.
“He did at least set me up for life without him.” That's an incredibly moving thing to be able to say about someone you've lost.
It sounds like your husband gave you something that outlived him: permission to believe that you were capable of more. I suspect “The Pat Project” isn't finished yet.
You could be right! Always a "work in progress" 😉 despite being retirement age! ♥️
Pat, I am so sorry you lost your husband. What a gift to have been in a relationship with him, but/and, my heart aches when I read, 'he did at least, set me up for life without him. I hope you have found your what to a live that is full and meaningful, It sounds like you have.
Great insight
"Every mindset runs its own private laboratory, and it prefers results that prove it right." That line stayed with me. Thank you for putting it into words so clearly🙏
And it all starts first thing in the morning. Reach for the phone and read the email that you didn’t want to read. Will shape the rest of your day.
Are you saying we should stay a way from our phones, so that we can shape our own way?
PTSD changed what I believed I was capable of. For years, those beliefs felt like an accurate description of who I had become.
Rebuilding my life required doing things while part of me still believed I couldn't, and letting those experiences provide new evidence.
I completely agree and really enjoyed reading your post!
I felt this idea resonates deeply with Zazen, which naturally leads to personal insights and letting go of doubt.
Practice of Zazen quiets the inner noise—like "shoulds," self-interest, and anxieties about the past or future. Historically, it was also one of the essential disciplines practiced by ancient Samurai.
Reading your reply made me feel deeply understood, and it truly warmed my heart. Thank you so much!
I love the cone and cylinder analogy - so true!
A mindset that’s never been caught on a scan or an autopsy but somehow always shows up in the credit card statement 😆 The line that got me was “a judgment that forgot it was a judgment” — that’s basically how every stale macro thesis dies too, it just stops checking its own priors and starts calling itself a fact.
Hard to see the water we swim in!
Your articles and insights always seem to appear when I’m on the same subject and questioning it. Thanks for the answers and of course your insight !
Great essay. Good food for thought.
you are bang on spot to read the mind of any person and define his personality, and thats not majic though but a science you practice again and again , simply wonderful and enriching.
Excellent writing ✍️
The How Your Mindset Shapes Your Life How old beliefs shape your choices, your character, and the direction of your life. PUBLISHED 6 DAYS AGO 377 LIKES 68 RESTACKS 21 COMMENTS framing is the part I keep coming back to. Most takes on this skip the underlying mechanism and try to win on vibes.
The world right now has a lot of opinions, including your own opinion to yourself. I find it hard, challenging rather, to guard myself from opinions that I should care less about or taking in as a "fact" or an emotional fact. This is what I keep trying on myself... i need to have my own understanding, critical thinking, sound human judgement, and do my best to practice mindfulness of my own. The world, everywhere, will feed us a lot of different opinions from different people's experiences, etc. while they could be fact, at times they might not be for us. Idk if i explained it well...
💯👍