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IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE TINT OF THE CRYSTAL THAT YOU LOOK THOROUGH

In this double-crossing world, nothing is accurate, and nothing is false. It all depends on the tint. Of the crystal that you look thorough.

– Dr. Ramón de Campoamor y Campoosorio (1817- 1901) Humoradas.

We live in a world created by us. Our senses condition our perception of what is around us. We are conscious of ourselves. Each one of us is aware of our individuality. Indeed, we are unique. This uniqueness is a learned ability. Our parents gave us a genome (genetic material). And then we begin to develop. A multitude of factors contribute to this development. Finally, we came up with a final product. That is our unique brain. Nevertheless, there lies the problem. Because that “finished product” is constantly changing according to its environment (lifestyle). For the better or the worst. The tint of the crystal that the Spanish philosopher is referring to is our brain.

Consider that a newborn’s brain is far from developed; it needs time to fully grow and establish connections on both large and small scales. Following a generally predictable progression, our brain’s functions improve drastically throughout childhood and adolescence. Only in our early 20s, or possibly even later, can we finally possess a fully equipped brain, complete with a well-developed prefrontal cortex, to help us succeed in leading an independent life as an adult. On the other hand, starting in our late 20s and early 30s, research shows that speed of processing and working memory tend (on average) to slow down, reducing our capacity to process and deal with complex new information. This is a gradual process that often first becomes noticeable in our early 40s. [1]

We cannot control our genome. What we can control are the changes in our brains. It is in our hands to choose the better way. If not, the Second Law of Thermodynamics (the disorder in the universe always increases) will cash up with you.

The first thing you must be aware of is that there are no magic pills. But we can follow certain proven practices that will slow the deterioration of our brains. These exercises are the four pillars of a healthy brain: good nutrition, stress management, physical conditioning, and mental stimulation.

[1] SharpBrains to Brain Fitness. 2013. Alvaro Fernandez, Elkhonon Goldberg Ph.D. with Pascale Michelon PhD

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Conrad_von_Soest,_%27Brillenapostel%27_(1403).jpg The “Glasses Apostle” painting in the altarpiece of the church of Bad Wildungen, Germany. Painted by Conrad von Soest in 1403, “Glasses Apostle” is considered the oldest depiction of eyeglasses north of the Alps.

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Happy Fourth of July

Honor this great country and the great men and women who made this democracy possible.

On July 4, 1776, delegates to the Second Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia’s State House, now known as Independence Hall. [1]

[1] File: Flickr — US Capitol — Philadelphia, 1775.jpg From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Allyn Cox Oil on Canvas 1973–1974 Hall of Capitols House wing, Cox Corridors

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Para cada acción, hay una reacción

“Para cada acción, siempre hay una reacción igual”. Isaac Newton

Mis padres se divorciaron cuando yo tenía ocho años. Mi madre y yo nos mudamos a la casa de mis abuelos maternos. Eso representó para mí una completa catástrofe. Todo era nuevo para mí. Tenía que comenzar en Cero.

Mi abuelo, el capitán del ejército don Ignacio Crecencio Corzo Álvarez de la Masa, era un militar retirado que había luchado en la Guerra de Independencia de 1898 en Cuba. Un hombre gentil, alto y tranquilo. Lo amaba mucho. Recuerdo que a veces sus ojos vagaban hacia el pasado. Tal vez recordaba la desolación y la muerte de las batallas.

Cuando nos mudamos, me orientó poco a poco. Tenía mucho tacto. Esperaba a que volviera de la escuela, sentado en el porche en su mecedora todos los días. Siempre me hacía dos preguntas. ¿Cómo te fue hoy? ¿Qué aprendiste hoy?

Un día, cuando me hizo las mismas preguntas, le dije que estaba furioso con uno de mis compañeros de clase. Al final de la clase, nos involucramos en una discusión, y sentí ganas de darle un puñetazo en la boca. Dije mañana, lo voy a hacer pedazos. ¿Quién es? Me preguntó. Le dije, Fernando. Luego me preguntó si Fernando había estado involucrado en un accidente. ¿Está enfermo? Le respondí que no.

Me dijo. Bueno, nieto, se va a defender. Entiendo que a veces debes protegerte, pero siempre cuenta con los otros chicos que responderán en consecuencia. Estate preparado. La violencia siempre trae más violencia. Trata de evitarlo. Pero si no puedes, alerta siempre alerta.

File: Hanging it up (3182147).jpeg From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

Estar Presente

Alerta

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For Every Action, There is a Reaction

“To every action, there is always an equal reaction.” Isaac Newton

My parents divorced when I was eight years old. My mother and I moved to my grandparent’s home on my mother’s side. That represented for me a complete catastrophe. All was new for me. I had to star on Cero.

My grandfather, Captain Don Ignacio Crecencio Corzo Alvarez de la Masa, was a retired military man who had fought in the War of Independence of 1898 in Cuba. A gentle, tall, quiet man. I loved him a lot. I remember that sometimes his eyes would wander into the past. He perhaps remembered the desolation and death of the battles.

When we moved in, he guided me little by little. He was very diplomatic. He waited for me to return from school, sitting on the porch in his rocking chair daily. He will always ask me two questions. How did it go today? What did you learn today?

One day when he asked the same questions, I told him I was furious with one of my classmates. At the end of class, we got ourselves involved in an argument, and I felt like punching him in the mouth. I said tomorrow, and I will knock him up. Who is this fellow? He asked me. I told him, Fernando. Then he asked me if he had been involved in an accident. Is he sick? I responded that no.

He told me. Well, grandson, he is going to defend himself. I understand that sometimes you must protect yourself, but always count on the other guys who will respond accordingly. Be prepared. Violence always brings more violence. Try to avoid it. But if you must beware.

File: Hanging it up (3182147).jpeg From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

Leadership Development

Brain Health

Beware

Be Prepared

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Whom does the Grail serves?

For as the same fire causes gold to glow brightly, and chaff to smoke; and under the same flail the straw is beaten small, while the grain is cleansed.” St. Augustine of Hippo.

I was putting my life together after The Catastrophe. I was working for a large international airline. An excellent and demanding job. Lots of traveling all around South America and the USA. I was divorced. My kids were finishing high school, but I was still looking at the “Whys” of the Disaster. A catastrophe is when you enter the Castle of your Dreams. You are treated like a Prince. The Owner of the Castle expects you to ask The Question, and you don’t know what to ask. The worst part is that you were told what to ask but didn’t.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Coral Gables. I decided to spend the day at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. I packed a Cuban Sandwich, an apple, a water bottle, a folding chair, and a book by the eminent Jungian analyst Dr. Robert A. Johnson, entitled HE. [1]

I finished reading by around 6 p.m. I was moved by the book’s message. The park is usually closed by sundown. I looked at the sea, and it was beautiful and serene. I walked to the edge of the sand. I stood there looking at the reflection of my shadow at the bottom of the sea. Then I said: “Angles, I want to see your shadows next to mine. I saw only my shadow.

I started returning to the parking lot where I had parked my car. Suddenly, I had a feeling that somebody was walking with me. I looked, but nobody was there. Then I saw a patch of grass with wildflowers moving circularly. Nothing else was moving. There was no wind. I stop in fascination. I said: “Is this the answer to my request?”. Then they stop. I said move once more if this is real. Then they began moving in a different direction. An indescribable feeling invaded me. Then understood the message of Dr. Johnson: “The object of life is not happiness, but to serve God or the Grail. All of the Grail quests is to serve God. If one understands this and drops his idiotic notion that the meaning of life is personal happiness, then one will find that elusive quality immediately at hand.”[1]

File: Rossetti Percival.jpg From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

[1] HE Understanding Masculine Psychology. Dr. Robert A. Johnson. Harper Perennial

Life Lessons

Neuroplasticity

Personal Development

Brain Health

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No, he is not ready yet.

Today is my birthday. I am 89 years old. I recall an experience I had when I was eight years old. I have been diagnosed with a severe case of gastrointestinal illness. The prognosis was not good. I spend most of my days in bed. I was very ill.

One night I had a dream. I was in a tunnel. I was moving very fast toward a beautiful light at the end of the tunnel. I was happy. I was not affray.

Then I heard a man’s voice. Saying: “He is not ready yet. He must go back.” It was a beautiful man’s voice. It was a commanding voice! He was not mad but imperious. He was not talking to me.

I woke up. My mother entered the room, and I told her about my dream. She did not say anything but went very pale. Whiting half an hour, my whole family was there. The family, Dr. Santiago Rodriguez-Febles, and Father Ricardo from the Parish. All of them asked about the dream. Father Ricardo gave me a prayer book and said, “Pray a lot, my son.” Frankly, I did not understand. It was just a dream! What is the fuss all about? The point is that I have never heard about after-life experiences. I was only eight and sick.

On my birthday, I thank you, Father. You gave me a second chance. I am doing my best not to disappoint you.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam.

File: Tunnel to North Inyadda.jpg From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

Inspiration

Hope

Faith

Brain Health

Neuroplasticity