How the Habits of Our Brains Dictate the Difficulty of Our Lives

We often believe that "I do my own thinking, I feel my own emotions, and I act according to my own will." However, many of the actions we attribute to our "personality" are actually instinctive reactions of the brain. For example, feeling anxiety or a sense of threat when we see someone else succeed isn't a personal flaw—it's a result of the anterior cingulate cortex and the amygdala being activated in our brains. There are even studies that show our brains can experience a subtle pleasure when others are unhappy. This makes us realize that, ultimately, we are beings unconsciously moving according to how our brains are designed to operate.

The very belief that "I made this judgment" or "I did this analysis" may be a fundamental trap of human thought. Our consciousness might just be a convincing illusion created by the brain. What's even more surprising is that even when we think we haven't made a decision yet, our brain has already settled on an answer. When we're later asked for the reason behind a decision made unconsciously, we confidently create a plausible logic to explain it. This suggests that humans have a habit of unconsciously fabricating the meaning behind their own actions. In the end, the unconscious self—with its deep-seated emotions, desires, and wounds—is the real 'me,' and our conscious and unconscious minds are sometimes at odds.

Making Your Brain Your Ally Through Positive Experiences

If we don’t have free will, are we just passive beings? The article suggests that this fact can actually bring us comfort. After all, it's easier to just let the brain's automatic judgment system take over. The key point is that whether this automatic system makes the right reflexes depends on how many positive experiences we’ve had in the past. Having a "smart brain" means more than just having a lot of knowledge; it means having the ability to react appropriately to a situation. It's like an antique appraiser who, through countless experiences, can instantly distinguish between a genuine item and a fake. Good experiences create good habits, and good habits cultivate accurate reflexes.

The Surprising Power of Laughter and Posture to Change Your Brain

We often hear the saying, "Laughter brings good fortune." Neuroscience shows that there is a scientific basis for this. It has been revealed that simply making a smiling expression can change dopamine activity in the brain, allowing us to feel joy. This "reverse causality" means "I am happy because I am laughing." Laughter can even improve our ability to more quickly identify positive words. This isn't just about facial expressions. Our posture also has a significant effect on our mental and physical state.

Research shows that simply sitting up straight can increase confidence, for instance, by making you feel more certain about what you’ve written. These kinds of "facial feedback" and "posture feedback" mechanisms clearly show how our brains react to and are changed by external stimuli.

The Journey to Finding Your True Self

The fact that our thoughts, emotions, and actions are deeply connected to our brain’s habits and unconscious mind can sometimes be confusing. But the article suggests that our brain isn't just a controlling entity; if we understand and use it, it can become our ally. This can help us live a more proactive life without unnecessary emotional waste. To truly take the reins of the life we want and not be dragged along by our unconscious mind, we need to understand our brain and put in the effort to create positive habits through good experiences. Ultimately, living an authentic life is a continuous process of understanding your brain and making it your ally.