left
and right brain discussion
It
is important to understand our own strengths especially as we attempt to
overcome obstacles. As we encounter these obstacles we balance the left and
right brain. We use both critical and creative sides to solve problems, to get
through our daily lives and to function in the world. We tap into the left
brain to organize and the right brain for spontaneity.
Some
of us excel or exist in one side more than the other. You know what I am
talking about. You know the people who exist on one side of the brain all the
time. There is the computer programmer who sounds like a robot, that is a left
brainer and the mechanic who describes in detail each moving part of the motor,
that is a left brainer. Then there is that far out hippy dreamer type, totally
abstract, right brainer and the artist who relies on feelings and emotions to
be creative, right brainer.
Most
of us exist somewhere in between or at least shift back and forth. As I create
a list of my left and right brain strengths I begin to realize that I may be operating
more within the mush in between the two. I have always recognized, with the
help of others, my creative or right brain. I am a visual person, emotional,
looking to see the bigger picture, the abstract, the dream world and like to
live life as it comes.
After
further review however there are parts of me that live in the left side. Before
I can begin the creative process in anything I do I always straighten up, and
organize. I line things up and make order out of my messes. I organize by
color, shape, size and whatever else. I like to break things down into parts
when I get a bit overwhelmed, tackle small sections and go from there. I have a
sock drawer and a place set my keys when I come into the house.
I
think the important part of all this left/right brain business is becoming more
aware of how we function, recognizing not only our own strengths but the strengths
of others as we try to get the most out of our lives and our experiences on this
earth.
Kudos, for both sock drawer and home for your keys!! This exercise had me utilizing my left brain to try and analyze myself into these groupings. After reading your post I must I can relate to the straightening before getting creative. I always clean the kitchen before baking or cooking. I generally am to moved to straighten up before starting a paper. Is that procrastination or just left brain stuff? Perhaps a bit of both?
ReplyDeleteHey Levi, I like your breakdown of how the sides of our brains can play out in our lives. It makes me wonder just how much is biological tendency and how much is environmental influence - when you mention folks who are computer programmers or strictly more hippy in nature. Always a combination I suppose. I've known a programmer who is also an actor and a mechanic who is so linear, yet driven by his gut. It's really helpful how you point out to recognize the strengths of others (how they may use the left/right aspects of their brains) because I think this can be useful when working with others and helping to solve problems. It should be helpful in understanding how another person sees, processes and interacts with the world. And agreed, life is so much easier when keys have some designated real estate!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you talk about having both sides and so there is a pushing and pulling in the relating that is almost a kind of self-propulsion. I think it's good not to let any of these labels box us in but rather use it as more information for the journey. I am better at art maybe because I have been willing to practice. You are better at Excel spreadsheets for perhaps the same reason. It doesn't mean I can't learn Excel and you can't learn to paint. Thanks for this, Levi. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting to read your post; I did not give myself as much credit as I was due! I cannot stand cooking in a messy kitchen-I need to know that I have all the necessary items before baking or cooking; when working on my truck-I need to make sure I have the right tools for the job and all the replacement parts...funny, how I did not recognize this when I wrote my post out!
ReplyDelete