Because they’re sponges, it’s better to incorporate it into their lives now rather than change behavior (later).

~ Susan Ward

Our brains don’t have a very good delete key. If you try to delete something, it’s pretty hard. (As an exercise, look at something wherever you are reading this. Then try to forget it. It is difficult. A tan pillow is now permanently etched in my mind.)

Our brains are sponges. And maybe it is no coincidence that our brains look like sponges. Everything we do is being recorded. If we are snarky, contradictory, self-absorbed, sarcastic, or condescending it becomes a part of us. Our brains turn our actions into our norm, our comfort zone. Gradually, over years, we become conditioned to acting that way. It becomes “natural.”

Similarly, if we act nice, speak nice, smile, treat people with respect, see strangers as people, listen with intent, and focus on the needs of others it becomes a part of us, our new “norm.” Over time, it will feel natural.

The inference is that every action you take becomes a part of you. It is not really possible to be snarky on Facebook, contradictory in person, then nice at church. Our brains have recorded all our behaviors, both good and bad.

It therefore makes sense to try to be the best people we can be, in every interaction we have with others. The easiest way to do that, in my opinion, is to focus on the needs of others whenever we can. It takes the pressure off of ourselves to be good or bad, and puts our attention on helping and showing compassion.

Be kind, be courteous, be helpful, and our brain will soak all that kindness up.

Yesterday’s gift of time … Bank drop for our Toastmaster’s club … Also, three different rides to three different children’s events … (Sorry, no picture today. Brains and sponges aren’t very photogenic.)