THE INTELLECTUAL AXIS

The brain needs to work. Use it or lose it. I think, therefore I don’t go down the trail most trodden. Thinking brings newness, ideas, and different ways of seeing. But for me, I will need to work hard on keeping my brain active. This means engaging in discussions on uncomfortable topics, stretching myself to understand, reading and researching and delving beyond. It is an active struggle to renew each day; that is, to re-new: to be new over and over. My tendency is to be more passive, to seek out information and to accept that which best fits my pre-existing interpretation of the world. That will not be sustainable for me in the long run. I will have to challenge myself by reading difficult books, 

exploring unfamiliar poetry, 

learning new skills such as videography, playing musical instruments, attending classes, 

watching TEDtalks, and spending time in nature. New projects stimulate parts of the brain that might otherwise go unused.

Making a documentary is a project that I have been considering. Right now it seems overwhelming. I have to balance all the learning, the mistakes, the frustration, etc. against the excitement and the passion that initially drove the idea. This is an intellectual pursuit: to overcome the fear-mongering thoughts with the prospect of learning new skills and completing a project at the best standard that I am able.

Keeping a positive outlook has a positive effect on health, longevity, and self-esteem. But using the brain isn’t just about staying positive, it is about exploration no matter what might be upturned; it is a battle for truth and for examining the things that we don’t understand in order to reveal what lies beneath, what makes things work, what makes us function. I am interested in diverse perspectives on spirituality and consciousness, how the brain works. Intellectual pursuits are said to decrease the likelihood of addiction and while I am not a drinker, I might have a tendency toward complacency. When I think, and discover new ideas through research and discussion my brain feels different and my energy levels seem radically altered. I am stimulated toward change, open to what may unfold, and vital in my own awakening.