I work with young people.  I try to strive to encapsulate the most important things to know about having an important life.  I am still looking for the right words, but this is what I believe-

90% of our brain processes (thinking) is on the subconscious level. Our brains take our experiences and decides how to approach things automatically. So our brains figure out what worked to protect us and then just does that.

These becomes our habits.  What we do every day.

Which can keep us safe but not happy.  These behaviors can be counter to our values.  Which leads to dissonance. In other words, we want to change and don’t like the way we act but have trouble not acting that way.

Perhaps it is a habit like smoking. Perhaps it is the way we deal with conflict. Perhaps we shrink away and shut down. Perhaps we lash out and yell.

These our reactions our brains have judged to be the best protection. And they work.  Smoking and drugs are an escape and temporary mood boosters. If we shut down, then people leave us alone. If we lash out, then people leave us alone.

So, our brains ways job well done, keep doing what you are doing.

But we know these behaviors keep us from having what we truly want. It’s like being on a rollercoaster and being scared. We have no choice but to go where the tracks take us.

How do we change this? By making new habits.

How do we make new habits?

By tapping our subconscious thoughts and changing them.

This means therapy.  Meditation.  Writing.  Writing taps into our subconscious.

What do you think of this advice? How can I improve it? What is your best advice you wish everyone knew?