NEUROPLASTICITY

Neuroplasticity:
“The ability of the brain to reorganize itself (functionally) throughout a lifespan due to environment, behavior, thinking and emotions.”
Basically the brain is malleable, as in liable to change. It is how we function, normally, and it is how we develop. Neuroplasticity is the process by which all permanent learning takes place. Continuously, day in, day out, the neocortex assigns pattern recognizers and makes connections. Forgive my neurology rant and permit me to make my point here. Perhaps it will spur you to do some reading and research of your own.
Functions and tasks in our ‘mind’ are organized in hierarchies, each containing steps leading to a form of nesting of several actions. In other words memories or learned events are stored in sequential order. When those memories are not accessed over time they grow dimmer. The neocortex contains patterns and their recognizers – these are what we use in learning. If we do not use the patterns that have already been assigned to something for a period of time by thinking about that thing to which it was assigned, the pattern recognizers used for that pattern will become reassigned to other patterns. And the pattern or memory will essentially be lost. We may never remember them except they were documented, possibly in writing. Writing helps us to preserve things.
Why am I talking this today? Contrary to the myth that our brains have a limit to the things that can be learnt, I want to tell you that we can keep learning and we MUST keep learning.
Try something new. Do something, anything, and document it. You’re not too old to learn. Don’t say that’s how I’ve always done it. It can be done differently – better. Learn. I challenge you! Surprise yourself by doing something else this year. Your brain can take it. Unlearn and relearn if you have to just don’t stay stuck.
Learn new ways of giving, sharing and loving; find new ways to make the world a better place. Work at making an impact and leaving a positive lasting legacy. We can change the world.
Here’s to you, for a more productive life in 2017; cheers! *applause*

Thank you for reading.
Written by ‘durotimi

GIVING

I met a young woman recently who teaches street kids (the IDP children who roam about begging and practically live on the road side). Sometimes she feeds them too and is responsible for almost all aspects of the children’s welfare (with their parents’ consent of course). She believes that’s her life’s purpose; to give to those children and others like them. Her efforts are laudable believe me, but much more than that it made me think. So much has been done and much more can be done but there’s a drag, an almost reluctance, near coercion to helping out causes such as these. Why?
Giving is not just a way to receive; it is the way to truly live. And giving is not just about money. Giving money is good but it is not enough. Giving affection is a step further. Care and concern will go a longer way than any material thing ever can. The best things men have were given and it retains that value because it isn’t unshared. Giving smiles, sharing happiness, paying visits, giving gifts (monetary and otherwise) makes life fuller. We live well by sharing. Sharing our hearts and our lives, our properties and all things dear to us. And that’s the way to leave a legacy – a true and lasting legacy. But I find that people are often afraid to open up their hearts and purses. What are we so afraid of? Why is it so hard to cultivate empathy?
Don’t say I wasn’t born that way or I can’t be chivalrous or I have nothing to give or I don’t know how. No one was born that way and even if you were, you can change! You can give; you have something that You can give. Our space and time are not entirely ours, neither is money. We never really own anything. We are merely custodians so we shouldn’t mismanage the assets we do have. Just ‘cause you can do something doesn’t mean you should do it. Is it beneficial to anyone besides you in the long run?
Christians especially should take this to heart. God gave without expectation or desire for reward. He did for it is His nature; He gives all good things over and over again. There can be no end to giving in this world even in cases of apparent lack of substance.

Thank you for reading.
Written by ‘durotimi
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God has a plan

I know a God who is unhindered by time and space. He is neither subject to chance nor limited to seasons. Aye, like the soil on which plants grow, He is a source – the source, the connecting and cohesive factor in history. And beyond that He is more.
Some find it hard to believe (that) there’s something bigger than Science with all its explanations but I don’t. The evidence of an intelligent designer at work is all too glaring and alluring for me to turn my back. Day after day, line after line of story attests to the presence of someone who transcends our lives and existence; mundane or spectacular it may be. While everything may not be directly attributed to Him, this does not dampen the fact that He holds a vital role in the play out of things. It is mostly seen in retrospect but when looked at either way, life obviously goes according to a plan. Factor in the failures, disappointments and coincidences and you will see that life is just too precise to be a result of chance. God has a plan. And His plans always work, regardless of the situation.
We make our choices, yes, but we wouldn’t be faced with those decisions if it wasn’t His choice to make. If evolution was at work, the possibilities might be nonexistent. Because He’s got you in this space and time, not the Gothic era or the Renaissance, it is proof that He had you planned for this season. This is where you are needed and can be relevant. God has a plan and that plan includes you. It includes your neighbour, your friend, your enemies, that unsavoury character and even the president. The downtimes, downturns, updrafts and times of thriving; all of life is like the weaving of a tapestry with a plan and pattern for the outcome. There’s a plan that life follows despite our decisions and peculiarities. No life is a haphazard waste; God does not test run scenarios and no one knows entirely where they fit into His plans. Seasons change depending on different factors that are themselves prone to change but one person is constant; never changing, never failing and He is in charge of times and seasons. He directs and uses time and is not unaware of changes. Even before they occur, He has it all factored into consideration. The outcome remains to be seen.

Thank you for reading. Please drop your comments or feedback. Kindly share.
Written by ‘durotimi.

Content

In every play there is a protagonist, an antagonist and a notion. Each story sells an idea directly or indirectly; in hope. Some lack knowledge but have emotion, some lack emotion but have knowledge. Some share sense, some share feelings. Like it or not the story stands to gain because when it is told it becomes richer. Whether by embellishments or by plain strings, it remains told and stays in our hearts and active and subconscious minds teaching us or reminding us of something. And it always achieves its purpose.
Good stories ennoble us, bad stories wisen us and ugly ones caution us.
Every action is a story; every song, every day, every life is a story of sorts. The content depends on the players. We live, we learn, many stories are being told at once. These stories define our exposure and by extension (our) reality. And these days the stories we hear and see seem to be in a collaboration to drive discretion out of doors. Reality's lines are being blurred by stories that downplay moral intelligence. There is almost no content on the mainstream media dedicated to make strong men of little ones (literally and figuratively).
We must collectively pick the gauntlet to create such content that sells value and truth; such stories whose words and actions are not discordant. Good things are not just picked randomly. The serious business of creating good and lasting content must be pursued with passion. Don't just complain when you see bad stuff, create your version and make it good - no, better.

#SalientMatters
04/01/2017
(c) 'durotimi

Welcome

Hello everyone. 
I hope that #Conversations has been as much an interesting journey for you as it has been for me. I wish that my writing is enlightening and in line with the purpose of this blog which is to make us all think and when we're done thinking, take practical steps about the things we've thought. 
Please look forward to a weekly post on Wednesdays ranging on different issues including #SalientMatters and #UnChurched topics. This does not mean that there will be just one post weekly all the time. Depending on the situation, more than one article (poetry, prose, picture) could come up in seven days. And there will be pieces from other writers too. 
Come along now. 
WARNING: I remain open to correction and feedback as I may not be entirely right/wrong about my views. I write based on opinion and experiences. I appeal to you to follow with an open mind and rethink your perspective. 
Thank you.