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Getting the Right Brain


malign

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I just wanted to inform you all that I think 'finding my way' is contagious.

No, not swine flu. She has been teaching me to draw, indirectly, using a book called "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". It's fascinating. Not all of the author's theories, necessarily. I think those are mostly given so that adult readers will suspend disbelief long enough to try the exercises.

I, for one, went into this denying that I had any skill at all at drawing. I've tried, half-heartedly, on my own, and I've taken classes in things like calligraphy, which I enjoyed. I just thought that I would be incapable of doing anything that didn't include a lot of structure, the way writing letters does. Drawing freehand seemed like something only other people could do.

But after having far less difficulty doing it than I expected, I realized that there are many activities that I engage in every day that use the right brain. I'm aware that even my work, which is very left-brained engineering in some ways, has a component of creativity that linear thinking can't match.

So why didn't I know I was doing it? Denial. My censor feels very threatened by anything right-brained, feelings or creativity. He fears that I might do something he doesn't understand the reasons for.

Anyway, the amazing thing has been that with this realization has come an immediate loss of power for the censor guy. He's still there, but he somehow doesn't even seem that upset. It's as if I learned something I knew all along, but had forgotten. Had made myself forget.

In exchange, I feel free, and I feel free to feel. It is so incredible a change ... and I don't know if it will last. I might get scared and go back, who knows? But for right now, I'm going with it, just as hard as I can.

So, I still can't draw all that well; it was only one lesson, really. But I've learned that now it's just a matter of learning technique. There's no reason inside of me that I can't learn to draw. More importantly, there are so many new avenues opening up for me that maybe learning to draw for real isn't a high priority right this minute. But I'm having a great time with everything, so it's all okay.

So I'm very grateful to 'finding' for pointing this path out to me, and for giving me a reason to get started on it.

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Hon, for someone who doesn't drink much caffeine ... :-)

Were you just talking about coffee, because Coke has a fairly large amount of caffeine in it, too.

And caffeine can interfere with your mood; it's a stimulant that makes you more manic, after all. When it wears off, you're bound to feel a bit low.

Now, I drink a fair amount of it, but not before going to bed. And I know it's early, yet.

Did you do anything fun today (other than talk to me, I mean :-P) ?

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No, I was including coke when I said that...I don't usually drink much of it but my parents bought me a supply of it before going - I suppose they must have felt bad leaving me at home. I love coke. but I prefer diet coke. Yeah, it makes me really hyper, imagine what I'm like when I mix in some vodka!!!

I've done nothing atall....my aunt came over earlier just to make sure I hadn't burnt the house down or anything but apart from that I did nothing. My cousin's coming back over later and we're going to enter ourselves in this irish modelling competition thing for the laugh!!! One of the prizes is a €1,000 shopping spree. I would be very happy with that.

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Oh, I live, or at least stay awake during the mornings, on Diet Coke. I did learn to drink coffee, because it's cheaper, but only instant. Ration yourself, or you'll end up with none at the end. ;-) Do you have to get in any groceries by yourself, or did they do all that before they left?

You waited 'til after your aunt left to get out the matches?

I'd be amused to even get into a modelling competition ...

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I'd be very amused if I got into it aswel!!! I would laugh!!!

Yeah, they're all convinced I'm gonna set the house on fire because I like lighting candles and incense.. They don't trust me atall.

They bought food for me before they went but most of it is gone off now....so either I starve or go shopping.

Diet coke is the best,it makes me feel better when I'm hungover!!!

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Hey, Diet Coke makes me feel better, even though I've never been hung over! :-) (I don't drink.)

Are you fire-prone as well as accident-prone? If not, don't worry.

Yes, moldy food is one the best reasons I've ever had for going out and getting more. :-)

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I dunno why I bother to drink alcohol when coke makes me like this!!!!!!!

I'm not fire prone yet.....

Do you find it hard not drinking? I only started drinking about a year ago and now I'm kinda dependant on it...Now I've become immune to the stuff I used to drink so I've had to move on to the heavier stuff like wine and whisky to get any effect...not good!!!

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Yeah, I've never needed it. I figure, I have inhibitions for a reason; if I'm going to lose them, I want it to be my choice.

Why does that sound like you're building a bonfire on the living room rug?

I've just never wanted to start. My dad drank a six-pack a night through most of my childhood. I guess he drank enough for two, or something.

Aw. "Immune" sounds like you're trying to achieve some particular effect. What is it that you're hoping that drinking will do for you?

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Yeah , I like getting the delayed reactions and the way everything feels so warm and fuzzy inside!!!!!!!! It makes me happy, for a little while at least:) and makes my social skills a lot better!!!

Good for you that you don't need it!!! I wish I didn't need it!

I'd love to have an indoor bonfire.......

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Aw. Anyone who can wield an exclamation point the way you do deserves to feel warm and fuzzy inside all the time, not just because of drinking.

Step away from the matches! :-)

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Can you make it work that way, hon?

I didn't say it would be easy, but I think it would be worth it.

You're describing a fairly scary amount of dependence on alcohol for someone who's so bright and creative.

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I don't think so, especially not when I go to college because I'll probably be drinking every night there! it's the alcohol that makes me so bright and creative!!! I'm nothing without it.

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Ha. I've never much liked 'everyone', especially when they tell you stupid things like that. You're not here to make life more fun for them.

Okay, I'm probably being what is politely called "a fuddy-duddy". I worry about you, and want you to be safe. But I can't make you, from this far away, so ... :-)

Your cousin is there, and you're online? What's she doing, beating up on Guitar Hero?

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It's old-people talk. It means "stick-in-the-mud", "old fart", generally uptight and annoying. :-)

Wow, can I read your novel when you're finished? :-P

That's probably the art form that I would be best at, writing. Maybe some day, who knows?

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I think it would be kinda cool if every written entry and comment on this website was made into a book!!!

I hope she doesn't ask to read "my novel"... She's getting very involved in this game......(shouting at the tv screen) it's funny to watch!!!

Oh, I don't think you're a "stick in the mud"!!!!!!!!!!! It's nice that someone cares!

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Ooops, I read 'shooting', you typed 'shouting'.

No wonder I'm confused.

When she exclaims in frustration "I keep running into walls", you say "Perhaps you should try not to do that".

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I didn't exactly mean you should really do it. :-P

How old is your cousin (I think you told me before, but we've already covered this: I'm slow)?

Has she gone off to light the bonfire, that's the question.

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