Our life is what our thoughts make it.
~Marcus Aurelius

Imagine a light switch for a moment.  Flip it up – and voila … let there be light!  Flip it down – and poof … the light is gone in a blink of an eye.  If the light switch is on, it really makes it easy to find what you are looking for.  If the light switch is off, it really makes it hard to find what you are looking for.  (And no – you can’t use the flashlight on your phone to help  you.)  In Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 2013 book, Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health,  readers learn about the power of a light switch and how it compares similarly to switching on one’s brain.  Amazing to consider!

I recently went on an adventure that allowed my brain some time to think and to be creative.  I found myself reading Leaf’s book… and then taking notes.  It took quite some time to read because I kept getting distracted by taking notes in attempt to memorize Leaf’s points.  In fact, I couldn’t get the book finished in time for this blog, but I just couldn’t wait to share it with you …  Read on to see some thought-provoking quotes from Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book sprinkled in with some of my own two cents.  Enjoy!

“What would you do if you found a switch that could turn on your brain and enable you to be happier, healthier in your mind and body, more prosperous, and more intelligent?” (Leaf, 2013, p.13).

Um – YES! Sign me up! Dr. Leaf tells us how – and it’s simple too. Your mind is the switch. Page one of the prologue gives away the secret – and makes me want to read more. I have always heard and preached about the power of positive thinking… and now I know that I am positively right about being positive.

“The choices we make with our mind impact generations” (p.14).

“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought. ~Peace Pilgrim” (p.15).

Leaf pairs scripture & science throughout her book with amazing clarity and connections.  Her words direct us to common language in our lives…
We believe in God the Father…
Believe in yourself…
I think I can, I think I can…

“How we react to the events and circumstances of life can have an enormous impact on our mental and even physical health” (p.20).

“You can do whatever you set your mind to…” (p.20).

A recent example of this was when I was visiting my Grandmother.  She has not been doing so well and has needed help getting out of her chair… except when she “gets something  in her head” and “makes up her mind to do something” as Grandpa kindly puts it.  Notice in the video that she has dancing on her mind. 🙂

“Mind over matter” (p.25).

“Happiness comes from within and success follows – not the other way around” (p.26).

A somewhat controversial yet powerful statement – “You don’t have to fear that if a condition runs in your family that you are going to get it (for example, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or depression)” (p.26).

“Matter does not control us; we control matter through our thinking and choosing. We cannot control the events and circumstances of life but we can control our reactions” (p.32).

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Leaf 2013, p.62 and the Good Book – aka Bible – Philippians 4:8).

Consider “5-16 minutes a day of focused, meditative capturing of thoughts” (p.75).

“We cannot control the events and circumstances of life, but we can control our reactions to those events and circumstances” (p.82).  Amen.

“…state of mind in which we switch off to the external and switch on to the internal… in this deeply intellectual state… is more focused and introspective… we move into a highly intelligent, self-reflective, directed state” (p.82).

“In this directed rest state, you focus inward, you introspective, and you appear to slow down; but actually, your mental resources speed up and your thinking moves to a higher level” (p.83).  Wonderful rationale for siestas and vacations!

In closing, the light switch is yours to decide what to do with … flip it on or off.  If I can give any advice, think positively and let your light shine.  It makes the world a much brighter place for us all. 

Stay Calm & Switch on Your Brain ~
Profs Dr. Wendy & Dr. V.