What is my "RAS" and why should I be aware of it?

Inside each one of us is a Reticular Activator System (RAS). It’s the part of your brain that accepts a job that you give it (whether you are aware of it or not!). It receives the job based on the words you speak and the thoughts you think. Its mission is to bring more of what you say or what you think into your experience – regardless of whether it is real or perceived, just more of it. And it doesn’t matter if you want it to take on the job or not, it just does! It looks for things that are familiar, unusual or problematic.

Let’s say you have bought a new car. Haven’t you noticed that from the moment you made the decision to buy it, you suddenly see that same car everywhere? Have you caught yourself in a less than desirable mood? When you take the time to notice the thoughts that trail along, each are equally or increasingly less desirable. The opposite happens too. When you are in a really great mood and you feel like you are walking on air, all of the sudden everything just doesn’t seem to be a bother and it feels like there are no time constraints or barriers. It’s all just good.

No doubt we are in a very trying time for everyone. Regular routines, feelings of loss of productivity, restrictions and restraints in most every form and fashion are present and an over arching element of fear feels close by.

I want to invite you to think about your RAS and be mindful to use it to look for those moments in each day for what feels good. Your nervous system, your brain, those around you (both near and at a distance) will be positively affected in ways that will feel good. And that would be a very special thing to spread!