Category: Stress

What I’ve Discovered About Life: Thoughts, Awareness, and Mindfulness for Balance

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What I’ve discovered about life that helps me make sense of the World.

1.       THINKING. We are not our thoughts. Though every moment of the day we have thoughts but we are not our thoughts despite what they might say, especially if life events have led us to be anxious or depressed. You see thoughts emanate from the problem solving, rational brain. It’s just doing its job in trying to keep us safe, so it is always problem solving, trying to find solutions, often trying to control life events. This is fine if there are solutions but often with life events there aren’t immediate solutions but that won’t stop that thinking brain from trying to figure it out, even at 2am in the morning when you’re trying sleep! So don’t believe everything your thinking brain is trying to say. It’s just doing its job. Hold on lightly to your thoughts.

2.       AWARENESS. Develop awareness. Often we are tightly attached to our thoughts. But there is another side of our consciousness that can ‘notice’ or be ‘aware’ of what is going on. That side of us can hold on less tightly to our thoughts which is especially good if those thoughts are worrying, stressful, anxious thoughts. Any negative emotion you might feel attached to those thoughts is your body trying to keep you safe, trying to figure things out. We can develop this awareness, noticing side of ourselves through processes such as ‘mindfulness’ which really is just having the ability to come back to the present moment and step out of those future based or past regrets, worrying thoughts. It’s a great place to be, here in the present moment!

3.       LEFT BRAIN RIGHT BRAIN. There is the theory that the left side of our brain is typically associated with analytical, logical, and detail-focused tasks, like language, categorization, and sequential thinking. It sees parts rather than wholes. The right hemisphere, by contrast, is holistic, relational, and context-oriented, helping us understand meaning, connect with others, and appreciate the "big picture." It perceives patterns and emotional nuances, fostering empathy and creativity. In essence, the left hemisphere focuses on precision and order, while the right hemisphere allows for broader, interconnected understanding. It’s argued that we live, in Westernised countries, with a strong focus on using the left brain – problem solving, analytical, reducing things down to smaller parts. This is very different to the right brain which is more holistic focused so it looks at the big picture, relationships, compassion, empathy. If we could learn to tap into the right brain more there would be less focus on achievement, more is better, perfectionism, striving – a lot of things associated with supposed success in a capitalist World. We are seeing the results of this – more stress, anxiety, less community, less compassion. It is said the right brain should be the master and left brain the servant. But it seems the opposite in capitalist countries. So get out of your left brain and get into nature more, develop compassion, community, serve others. Get a different perspective on life. More of a life balance. It might just save the World!

4.       ABSURDISM. The World really is Absurd. Good things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people. Don’t try to work out. Instead put your energy into being present, and being of service to others. Have gratitude for right here, right now, no matter what is happening for you. Argue with a lamp post!

5.       EVOLUTION. Our problem solving brain and body reactions (fight, flight, freeze) have been designed to help us survive. The ‘fight, flight, freeze’ response kicks in automatically when we sense danger. It gets us ready to run or fight or play dead if we sense danger. If we had to rely on our rational brain to figure out if there was a real a danger, it might be too late! The things is, in the Western world physical dangers are less (as a generalisation), so the Sabre Tooth Tiger has been replaced by work place stress, financial pressures etc. It’s as though our body reacting to stress has not caught up to modern day living. So anxiety and depression symptoms are the body’s way of responding to danger. The problem solving brain kicks in and constantly tries to fix, solve or control the danger but often there isn’t an immediate solution to the perceived danger (a job loss, financial stress etc). But it doesn’t give up. It often will constantly try to ‘fix’ things to keep us safe. So feel free to thank your brain. It’s just doing what is what designed to do. Hold on lightly to those worries, fears, stress, anxieties, and depressions. Tap into that right side of the brain more and look at life more holistically, the bigger picture.

Exploring Left-Brain and Right-Brain Hemispheres: A Call for Balance in Western Society

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For decades, the left-brain/right-brain theory has captured public interest, suggesting that the left hemisphere handles logic and detail-oriented tasks, while the right hemisphere governs creativity and holistic understanding. Though modern neuroscience emphasizes that the two hemispheres work together seamlessly, there is a growing argument that Western cultures, particularly in highly industrialized countries, emphasize left-brain characteristics—logical, analytical, and reductionist thinking—more than right-brain qualities such as creativity, intuition, and connectedness.

The Left Brain’s Dominance in Western Society

The left hemisphere, often associated with logical and analytical thinking, is adept at categorization, linear processes, and details. This has proven advantageous in building technological and industrialized societies that rely on structure, efficiency, and predictability. In countries such as the United States, Canada, and much of Western Europe, the cultural emphasis on productivity, precision, and measurable success aligns closely with left-brain characteristics. Many of these societies value careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)—fields requiring strong analytical skills and a structured approach to problem-solving.

Why Left-Brain Dominance?

The dominance of left-brain qualities in Western society likely evolved due to historical and economic factors. The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment shifted societal values toward empirical evidence, rational thought, and scientific progress. Industrialization further amplified these values, prioritizing productivity, structure, and control—hallmarks of left-brain functions. Today’s digital age, with its data-driven decision-making and quantitative analysis, continues to support left-hemispheric modes of thinking. This has influenced everything from educational systems to workplace environments, reinforcing an approach that leans heavily on analysis, categorization, and goal-oriented behavior​.

However, while this left-brain orientation has driven technological and economic advances, it has limitations. Excessive reliance on the left hemisphere can narrow our perception, reducing complex situations to data points and diminishing our sensitivity to nuance and interpersonal connections. Overemphasis on left-brain qualities can create a society that values results over process, efficiency over empathy, and individual gain over collective well-being.

The Importance of Engaging the Right Hemisphere

The right hemisphere of the brain, often associated with creativity, holistic perception, and relational awareness, offers valuable perspectives that balance the precision of the left brain. The right hemisphere excels in seeing the “big picture,” making it essential for fields that require empathy, creativity, and interconnected thinking, such as art, psychology, and social work. It is the side that perceives context, embraces ambiguity, and appreciates the beauty of diversity—a counterbalance to the left hemisphere’s propensity for control and certainty​.

When we engage the right hemisphere more fully, we become better at connecting with others and the world around us, fostering qualities such as compassion, imagination, and flexibility. Incorporating right-brain qualities can help mitigate stress, increase resilience, and improve interpersonal relationships, all of which are critical for mental health and social harmony. This holistic approach can make us more adaptive in complex, rapidly changing environments where rigid, left-brain logic falls short.

The Role of Mindfulness in Balancing Left and Right Brain Function

Mindfulness, the practice of cultivating present-moment awareness, is a powerful tool for integrating right-brain perspectives into daily life. This practice encourages us to step back from the analytical, task-oriented focus of the left brain and instead observe our experiences in a non-judgmental, open-minded way—a fundamentally right-brain activity.

Through mindfulness, we learn to tune into our bodies, our emotions, and the world around us, fostering a state of awareness that is less about control and more about acceptance. This shift supports the right hemisphere’s strengths, encouraging a balanced mental state that reduces stress, enhances creativity, and improves emotional intelligence. Studies show that mindfulness practices like meditation activate the right hemisphere, helping practitioners become more receptive, compassionate, and connected to others​.

In practical terms, incorporating mindfulness into Western society could provide a counterbalance to the productivity-focused mindset that often prevails. Educational systems, workplaces, and healthcare institutions that integrate mindfulness training may find benefits not only in individual well-being but in fostering environments that value connection, innovation, and resilience.

Conclusion

While the left-brain/right-brain dichotomy oversimplifies the complexity of the human brain, it highlights an important insight: a balanced approach that values both analytical and holistic thinking is essential for a well-rounded life. Western society’s tendency toward left-brain dominance, while beneficial for economic and technological advancement, could be balanced by practices that engage the right brain. By fostering qualities of empathy, creativity, and openness through mindfulness, we can cultivate a more balanced and compassionate society—one that values productivity but also cherishes the deeper, interconnected aspects of human experience.