The Daily G.I.F.T. from The GratiDude

I got a pig that makes Secretariat look like a tortoise.

www.grateful4.org

Gratitude

Intention

First

Things

The G.I.F.T. Today

Grateful-for the feeling of Kevin getting more and more out of the way

Intention-process is everything and I’m with Alan Watts today

First-namaste schedule

Things-email on landing page

Morning Platitude from The GratiDude

The messages that we will receive in our lifetime around experimenting and trying new things change and vary dramatically at different periods of our life and social situations.

Here’s a few examples to help you understand what I mean.

When you first get mobile and start walking around as a little kid, your parents and caretakers have to be very careful about what you can now access or get into. Suddenly things that are 3 or 4 feet high you can now get your tiny little fingers into with all of that endless curiosity that you were born with as the cosmic creature that you are.

And when you get your hands on things depending on their size and where you are in your different stages of fixation, depending on your adherence to Freudian psychology, you may want to stick those things in your mouth and see what they feel like or taste like in there.

That’s not cool for a little kid.

You could die.

There’s a true story of a little kid surviving an accident poisoning because he took a sip from what he thought might’ve been a bottle of candy or something, and it turned out to be rat poison. This little boy’s name was Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa, and he was just four years old when he consumed this poison and was rushed to the hospital.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiaan_Bezuidenhout

He survived, but he suffered nerve damage, and it impacted his speech and social skills and made his childhood very challenging. One of the things he turned to as a healing and coping mechanism that he stumbled upon through the Ernie Els’ Foundation was the game of golf.

It turns out that his injury and poisoning actually became the catalyst for him to try something new and the new game of golf and it became his lifelong passion.

When kids get a little older, suddenly you change your tune and you want them to try things, and parents even goes so far as to mix vegetables in with mashed potatoes and not tell the kids to trick them into trying something new and different.

A lot can change and just a few years.

One cool thing about going to junior college or community college versus a very expensive four-year institution is that you can take classes almost like trying new foods at a buffet. I doubt I ever would’ve taken an Asian art history class if it was not offered at Cabrillo junior college and probably cost me about $100 maybe. The class was incredible and I’m so happy that I put it on my plate and gave it a taste as I never realized that studying art history was really just another way of learning all sorts of other history about different time periods in order to understand what the Art was saying or communicating.

And you’re encouraged in your first year of college to take some different types of classes to make sure that you don’t get into a major that you actually hate and end up, dropping out because the colleges in the universities want to get all of your money and the best way to do that is to encourage you to take some different classes so you stick it out and pay them for the full ticket and the diploma.

The schools are for profit businesses remember.

Soon after college, though you’re done trying new things in your work life and it’s time to pick one thing and suck it up and live for the weekend and be a good worker.

“Wait! I want to do some different things and maybe work in a different department at my company that’s completely different and learn accounting. I’ve been selling shit my whole life and I don’t even understand how the money is all added up and divided that I’m generating for the company and I’ve always been curious about how important accounting is for a business. Can I start over please?”

In most companies, it would be tough to start over from a completely different skill set because the value you’re delivering to the enterprise wouldn’t be as great as it is in a position where you’ve become a subject matter expert. Maybe you could start out as a low level accountant, but you have to lower your pay to match that position and not keep your status in terms of your current compensation.

That’s a tough choice to make right?

Which is why so few people as they get older continue to try new things and tend to settle in to patterns of behavior that are dictated by recurring thought tracks that are no longer looking for things that are new and different.

Yes, trying new experiences is generally considered healthy and beneficial for both mental and physical well-being, promoting brain plasticity, reducing stress, and boosting confidence.

Here’s a more detailed look at the benefits:

Mental Health Benefits:

Brain Stimulation & Cognitive Function:

New experiences stimulate the brain, creating new neural pathways and improving cognitive function, memory, and problem-solving skills.

Reduced Stress & Anxiety:

Stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things can break up routines and reduce stress and anxiety.

Increased Confidence & Self-Esteem:

Successfully navigating new challenges and trying new things can boost confidence and self-esteem.

Improved Mood & Motivation:

New experiences can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, leading to improved mood and motivation.

Enhanced Creativity & Flexibility:

Trying new things can stimulate creativity and encourage flexible thinking, which can be beneficial for problem-solving and decision-making.

Social Connections:

New experiences often involve meeting new people, which can strengthen social connections and provide a sense of belonging.

Sense of Purpose & Achievement:

Setting goals to learn or try new things can give you a sense of purpose and achievement, which can positively impact mental well-being.

Physical Health Benefits:

Neuroplasticity:

New experiences stimulate the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself, which can lead to increased cognitive flexibility and improved mood regulation.

Physical Activity:

Some new experiences, like trying a new sport or outdoor activity, can have physical health benefits.

Reduced Risk of Dementia:

Stimulating the brain through new experiences can help reduce the risk of developing dementia.

You can saddle up a giant pig and in so doing, reduce your risk of dementia by stimulating the brain with high-octane swine.