Win the Day Habit 2

Wilder Penfield's Research

• Wilder Penfield, a neurosurgeon, studied the brains of 1,132 epilepsy patients.
• Used a "Penfield dissector" to map the brain by stimulating different areas with mild electrical current.
• Stimulating specific brain regions elicited vivid, detailed flashbacks in patients, some predating conscious memory.
• Example: One patient vividly recalled every note of a symphony heard years before, even when stimulated repeatedly.
• Another patient recounted details of a childhood train ride.

Memory Encoding and Retrieval

• Every experience, regardless of perception (sight, sound, smell etc), is recorded in the cerebral cortex.
• "Engrams," lines on the cerebral cortex, form when an experience is encountered.
• Memory traces are strengthened with repeated encounters.
• Repeated experiences get imprinted on the cerebral cortex.

The Importance of Owning the Past

• Memory is selective and subjective, leading to potential inaccuracies.
• Inaccurate or forgotten memories can cause a disconnect with self and lead to living a lie.
• Unacknowledged past experiences can negatively impact one's ability to succeed.
• "Kiss the wave" involves acknowledging the past, regardless of the pain.
• It is necessary to accurately assess, accept and internalize all aspects of the past (good, bad and ugly).

Overcoming Obstacles

• Obstacles are not enemies, rather they offer opportunities for personal growth.
• Individuals should face challenges (e.g., difficult diagnoses, bitter divorces, loss of a loved one) rather than being overcome by them.
• Facing obstacles provides insights into God's character, as every situation contains a divine opportunity.
• Acknowledging and accepting the negative aspects of the past will lead one to a better self.
• Embracing pain and lessons learned can lead to a better future.