Hilbert Morales
EL OBSERVADOR
Summer is almost over. My teacher-friends are now pre-occupied with getting their classrooms ready for the coming academic year. Invariably, each of them will spend some of their own money to get needed supplies; El Observador Foundation, Inc. is providing the funds to purchase five tablets which can be loaned to impoverished students who need to learn keyboarding (essential to data entry & search activities) plus how to use the internet (google for information; prepare and submit school projects). Without these basic skills, these students will have a serious disadvantage when first attending their middle school classes.
It is the job of each and every student to learn to develop their own unique mind by envisioning their future SELF-IMAGE. “The mind is defined in a human as the element or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, integrates information received through one’s five senses (vision, touch, smell, taste, and hearing). Teacher’s responsibility is presenting information needed to become proficient in reading, writing, math, and course content. It is the mind which is the recipient of behavioral standards, social practices, and economic issues…all of which require knowing how to communicate; develop sustainable relationships.
One’s brain is defined as the part of the central nervous system which is enclosed in the cranium (head) of humans and other vertebrates. It consists of a soft convoluted mass of grey and white matter and serves to control and coordinate one’s mental and physical actions.
There is a great need for everyone to understand that Doing drugs to feel good is really accomplished by abusing brain tissues sensitive to the stimulant or depressant used. Recently it was established that marijuana’s tetrahydro-cannabinol stops brain cell development in youthful brains up to age 26. Alcohol, opiates, crack, opium, methamphetamines, nicotine, etc. all damage or even destroy brain cells. So, it is prudent not to use any substance excessively. Human physiology has several ways to maintain homeostasis (which is the environment in which your body’s cells, especially brain cells, function well. Health and wellness result from learning how to take care of your unique body and its brain’.
Recently Steven Campbell, psychologist, made a very timely and informative talk at the weekly meeting of San Jose Rotary Club. At Portland University, Campbell has gathered comprehensive information about the human brain by neuro-scientific researchers using two new high-tech approaches: Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). These technologies coupled with advances in biochemistry, especially enzymology, have resulted in many insights concerning the mind & brain; how one learns; forms self-images; and develops self-esteem. No one really knows how the mind & brain works. However, it is the one organ which works all the time even when one is asleep.
The brain uses about 20% of all energy your body produces. It may be damaged by concussions from violent blows or by abusive substances such as drugs. And much more needs to be learned about how the human brain operates.
Back in 1969, the International Society of Neuroscientists had 400 registered members; in 2006, its membership amounted to 37,000 (and growing). A top memory neuroscientist’, Professor Jeri Janowski, (U. of Portland), says, “Anything you learned (about the human brain) two years ago is already old information…Neurosciences are exploding (today)!”
“Why teach (learn) how your brain works? Because if you understand your brain, you (and others) can guide it. So if not guided, your brain ends up doing most of the shaping. And then you end up feeling like a victim or passenger in life, instead of the (guide and) driver of your own distinctive (unique) existence and (its) untapped potential.”
Each of us needs to become engaged in our personal life-long learning habits to enable being continuously informed as we travel our life’s journey. Some of us, under age 18, are required to attend school. It is these individuals who need to know that their brain resists changes. One must understand that we each have a body-mind-spirit which can be molded by our own efforts. Learning new concepts, paradigms, and algorithms requires a slightly uncomfortable work effort. If you are always living in your personal comfort zone’, then you are probably not challenging your brain to develop for future success as your friendly mentor. Becoming educated involves the challenges of changes which invariably cause one to experience anxiety and discomfort especially if one is ambitious and makes the effort to change by becoming informed. Your human mind and brain are very pliable and adaptable.
As you learn your brain changes. Brains prefer to learn in small amounts of information. Learning bit by bit makes it a cinch to learning any discipline. Begin by learning that discipline’s vocabulary and measurements systems.
For those returning to their classes this August 2017, the challenge is to tell your mind who you want to become and why. Girls need to say to their minds: “I want to be good with math, engineering, technology, and sciences” …so that your brain begins to figure out how you may accomplish proficiency in these areas of knowledge which society has told girls you cannot do METS. Note that I have reversed STEM. WHY? Simple: Math proficiency is required to become accomplished in engineering, technology and sciences…even the Arts & Humanities. Facility with math requires practice and use if one is to understand metrics’, processes, and equilibriums.
Begin by defining your own SELF-IMAGE. If your mind tells your brain, I want to be a very good student, then your mind accepts that statement without challenging it; Your mind says to itself, OK? Let us work that out even while you sleep. Make the effort to acquire facts and information, then your mind does what it must with the result that your potential becomes developed. You, the student, must make the effort to guide your mind and brain. As you learn, you will begin to see more options. It is this process which enables anyone to learn what is enjoyable and provides personal satisfaction. A high SELF ESTEEM is based upon the self-image chosen. YOUR MIND CAN BE MADE MAGNIFICENT WITH YOUR GUIDANCE…Campbell’s book tells you how to do that based on the latest neuroscientific research findings which he has effectively summarized. Your self-image choices will make your personal education process very exciting and self-fulfilling’. Do try it!
Highly recommend is reading Steven Campbell’s book: MAKING YOUR MIND MAGNIFICENT, flourishing at any age, 241 pages; AVISA PUBLISHING, ISBN 978-1-890427-58-0, © 2010. $19.95. ASK YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARIAN TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK.
