Video: STROKE OF INSIGHT

I love this TED talk by Dr Jill Bolte Taylor – not only is it an incredibly passionate talk but it also offers a rare insight into why it is so important that we live in a balanced way – honouring and giving equal attention to both left and right hemispheres of the brain to allow life to be thoroughly enjoyable, an incredible experience.

All too often we spend more time in the left side of the brain – thinking linearly and methodically about the past and the future; categorising, organising, controlling, perceiving ourselves as separate. We know we can strike a better balance by nurturing the right side of our brain, we just have to trust that this side is equally as important. Our right side sees us living in the present moment, appreciating and enjoying the here and now; it perceives life in bright beautiful images, has us learn through moving and has us gather information through our sensory systems in the form of energy. Our right side sees how we are connected to the whole.

For us to thrive we must fill our lives with things that allow both sides of our brain to expand. Take some time out away from the computer, away from your thoughts that are planning what’s for dinner, analysing what’s happening in the news and so on. Instead find some crayons and draw, put on some music and dance and sing without judgement, meditate, breathe, practise yoga….be here now. Live passionately.