Friend or Foe?

It is no hidden fact that our consciousness pushes us forward. I wonder though, what about the subconscious thoughts? Einstein said we only use 10% of our brain. Whether this is true not is not the scope of my blog, however, I'd like to take this one step further. I believe we only use 10% of our consciousness.

We start out as unconscious beings. Well, I did at least. I don't remember my birth, I can barely remember what I had for breakfast last Tuesday- probably oatmeal with blueberries. How is such a primitive part of ourselves become minuscule as we age? We develop self awareness as we grow, mature, develop or whatever you want to call it. Our brains become bigger, our minds become open. We absorb things around us. We learn to talk. Are we active learners then (as in conscious learners)? Psychologists, researchers, and doctors will argue that we learn from trial an error.I understand and respect that many famous psychologists have talked about similar subjects. However, there is no certainty in the unconscious or the subconscious world in a very conscientious world.

I come to you tonight, exhausted. It is a 2 AM on a Thursday morning in Newcastle, England. My days consist of waking up at 7:30 AM, studying until 10 AM, class until 12, break. Classes straight from 1-5 PM. As we exit the fluctuating temperature of the same building we have been in all day we see darkness. Night time fell sometime between the start of Anatomy lecture and the middle or end of biochemistry. Normal people would find this as a full day. I push forward because I am a grinder. I relax briefly then study, workout, and eat for the next 5-6 hours. In bed by 11 out cold by 12. Anyways, I digress.

My point is that type of day should wear anyone out. Yet I stay awake. My mind is going 1,000 mph. I can relay my conscious thoughts out, but more and more thoughts arrive...from where?! There in-lies my story. The subconscious. This guy...he is a tricky one. He is the reason you won't talk to a pretty girl at Starbucks because he will remind you of any failed attempt. He is the one that keeps you up at night, thinking of outrageous things. He is the one that makes your dreams grow bigger and bigger, when in reality you don't live in a fantasy world. Ummm, maybe this guy isn't so evil. . .

He was the one that has helped me make good snap judgement in the past. He works abruptly to help me break my fall when I trip so I don't get hurt. He pulls out information stored in the back of my brain and makes me act on them. When teetering between two ideas, he picks one for me and makes me stick to the choice. He battles my ego to tell me how to be a gentleman. He has allowed me to live an amazing 22 years of life.

I challenge you to become the master of your subconscious. Ask it why you are being pushed one way or another. Try to understand with the morals of lifes' mysterious lessons. Be open minded, be open hearted. Learn to effectively communicate. Yearn to see if all his decisions lead you in the right path. Maybe he teases you about the girl Starbucks because he is challenging yo and wants you to succeed. Maybe he wants you to dream big so you aim high, and not be disappointed when you fall- mainly because he will be there to catch you. Maybe he keeps your up all night because. . .maybe sometimes you need to do something great.