Proverbs from Mexico

As you know, The United Mexican States  share a rather very large Southern border with the United States of America (as does the Dominion of Canada on the Northern side). For years, as a child in Canada, I pictured the USA as the ‘sandwich filling.’ When I grew older and moved to the USA with my parents, I laughed at the size of the 'sandwich filling.' 

Here are a few proverbs from Mexico. 

• A gilded cage is still a cage
• All time spent angry is time lost being happy.
• If you build a wall around your suffering it may devour you from the inside
• Remember that every tic-toc tic-toc of the clock is a second of life that goes by and never repeats itself
• Although a monkey may be dressed in silk—it’s still a monkey
• Do good and don't worry to whom

Pandemic Problems - Brain Stimulation, 3

Pandemic Problems – Brain Stimulation, 3                                                                                                                                                                                                   No surprise, there is an entire retinue of supporting cells to help care for your neurons. Known as glial cells, there may be 6 glia for every neurons, concentrations varying in differing parts of the brain. Some neurons have 9 glia each. These personal assistants manufacture the myelin that covers many of the axons and which allows communication to occur much more quickly. (When something causes deterioration of the myelin a variety of problems can arise such as those seen in Multiple Sclerosis.) The glial cells also prepare food for the neurons, neurotrophins. They help maintain homeostasis (balance) among the neurons and provide support and protection for them in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. It’s beginning to appear that glial cells can be found almost anywhere neurons reside. Use this time to read a book you’ve been putting off, do stretching exercises each morning, keep your brain hydrated. Play games you’ve not had time to do. Avoid allowing your thinking cells to deteriorate! 

Pandemic Problems - Brain Stimulation, 2

 Pandemic Problems – Brain Stimulation, 2

 In general, neurons do not undergo cell division—except perhaps for cells in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. So you have what you have and they need to last your entire life. That’s one reason for making careful choices about how to take care of these vital cells. Although protected by your bony skull, neurons can be easily damaged. Blunt trauma, for example, can break off some of the axons, interfering with the transmission of information. That’s part of the controversy about some types of sports that can damage these delicate but vital cells. Pugilistic Parkinson’s is one example of problems that can arise from some types of sports. Wear a helmet when doing any type of sport or activity that might result in an injury to your head. A broken bone often heals ‘as good as new.’ A broken ‘head’ rarely does. If you smoke, stop. If you don’t, never start. Be careful about breathing side smoke from tobacco products or from vehicle exhaust. Stay alert and avoid falls—a huge cause of head injuries and often of deteriorating brain function. More tomorrow.

Pandemic Problems - Brain Stimulation

 

Pandemic Problems – Brain Stimulation

 You can think because of neurons in your brain: cells that have a propensity to exchange information with each other. They talk to each other almost constantly using electrical-chemical transmission. Sometimes their chatter occurs at a conscious level but much more often at an unconscious or subconscious level. The brain contains an estimated 86 billion neurons give or take a few billion. About 16.3 billion are in the cerebral cortex, and 69 billion in the cerebellum. Neurons have a cell body or soma and an axon that allows information to leave the neuron. Depending on your height some of these axons, going down to your big toe, for example, can be a meter length. Each neuron also has many tiny filaments that project from it called dendrites. These little finger-like projections absorb information and pull it into the brain. In some forms of mental retardation, researchers have found that the neurons have insufficient numbers of dendrites so information isn’t absorbed and pulled into the neuron. The dendrites can shrink from lack of mental stimulation. Not a good thing!

Pandemic Problems - Snacking

Pandemic Problems - Snacking

 

Stuck at home? Less easy access to groceries—if you haven’t been “made redundant” as they say down under, and have money to shop. A tendency to snack, rather than doing your level best to create actual meals and eat together? The outcome? Often it is weight gain. Studies have shown that not much has changed during the last 40 years. In 1961, Mickey Stunkard, an obesity research veteran, showed children drawings of healthy disabled and obese children and asked how much they liked them. The obese drawings were liked least of all. In 2001 the experiment was repeated and obese children were liked even less than before. Obesity does tend to stigmatize a child. Children observe their parents—even when it doesn’t look like they are watching. What you ‘say’ is not nearly as impactful as what you ‘do’ yourself. Your child will likely follow your lead in maintaining an optimum weight. The outcome is a decreased risk for serious illnesses such as diabetes type 2 and 3 and an increased risk for a longer lifespan.

Aphantasia, 5

After a few weeks, I played the Vibes in public for the first time—a duet with my father. Two people, four hands, and four mallets. It actually sounded better than I had initially expected. I wish I knew how my father even knew to teach me that skill—where did he learn? He didn’t know, either. Back to your original question. Your brain may not visualize but that does not mean there is something wrong with you. Relative new research on ”Aphantasia” reported that approximately 95 percent of individuals are able to picture things in their mind’s eye—at least at some level. That means that the brains of about 5 percent of individuals do not. That’s what is difficult about making presentations and writing articles and so on, as there are always outliers—brains that do things differently. Before you automatically relegate yourself to the 5 percent, I suggest you do some experimenting with picturing objects or faces in your mind’s eye. You may be surprised that you can learn to visualize at some level—if not, no worries. There are other things your brain can do . . . enjoy those things.

Aphantasia, 4

On the ride home from school that day, my father said, “Close your eyes. Nod when you see the Vibes in your mind’s eye.” I could not see a thing. “Do you remember when you first saw the Vibes standing in the living room?” he asked. I did. “Well, replay that picture in your mind’s eye.” I nodded. “Okay. Turn it on, pick up your mallets, and play.” It was a strange feeling to “see” the mallets in each hand. They were not as clear as a photograph, but I could see them. Moreover, I could hear the sound of the song I was learning to play. “Oh, I made a mistake,” I said. “So correct it and go on,” was his response. A few more minutes passed. “Oops, I dropped a mallet. Now what?” He laughed. “Pick it up, just as you would at home and continue.” I ‘saw’ myself pick up the mallet and reposition it in my hand. Whenever I was being transported somewhere in the car, I would close my eyes and ‘practice’ playing the Vibes. Over time, it became easier and easier. The picture in my mind’s eye is never a crystal clear as in person or even in a photograph, but it certainly is doable. More tomorrow.