With all the rain we had in June grass plants and flowers are growing. Plants need some things including the right amount of sun, water, nutrients from the soil and the right temperature. We humans stop physically growing at some point. We can continue to grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. To grow we need to have needs met. Maslow has a hierarchy of human needs. Some needs include safety, water, food, socially having love and belonging and self esteem. Basic needs need to met to keep growing and reach self actualization or our full potential.

We have long understood we make our bodies stronger through physical exercise.  Researchers are finding that learning new things will keep our brains in shape especially as we move through life.  I was a psychology major so love reading about the brain.  When I was in school we were taught the adult brain was somewhat hardwired.  We did not spend any time on the study of neuroplasticity which is the brain’s ability to develop and change throughout our entire lives.  We can form new neural connections to a much greater degree than previously thought.  So you can teach an old dog some new tricks. One of the hottest trends in fitness is to add brain training. This is not just for more vintage people.

Central Connecticut State University calls out some activities call neurobics. They include a variety of activity.

o Watch no TV for a full week
o Move more: jogging, walking, hiking
o Change eating habits
o Use your non-dominant hand for a day
o Drive into the country and watch the sunrise
o Learn how to play chess
o Solve a crossword puzzle and/or Sudoku each morning
o Practice yoga or meditation

When I was young I was told I was emotionally mature by teachers. The longer I live the more I discover I’m not as emotionally mature as I thought I was. Several years ago I read a book called Growing the Positive Mind by Dr. William Larkin.  The theory being that you can become more positive by using the Emotional Gym.  The first “exercise” is stopping all negative self talk and giving up being critical of yourself and others.  This one was hard for me at first but is getting easier.  We may have a tendency to notice what is wrong rather than right, especially if we grew up around some “Debbie Downers”.

So how do you get rid of your inner critic?  A Psychology Today article suggests starting by just noticing.  You make a mistake what do you say to yourself?  I am such an idiot, I never get it right, I always mess up, etc.  Just observe your self talk.  Next separate yourself from the critic even give it a name, then talk back to it.  I am smart, I am capable, I am awesome.  Finally replace the inner critic.  The advice they give is something I have been doing for years.  Talk to yourself like your best friend would talk to you.  Be your own best friend. I’m re-reading a book on better communication I thought it would start out with all these skills about talking to others. The first chapter was about self talk! This skill is so valuable in our growth and an easy way to start growth.