Win the Day Habit 2

What does it mean to be 'response-able'?

What is suggested about people facing the same obstacles?

What does 'kiss the wave' symbolize in this context?

What does the phrase 'God comes to us disguised as our lives' imply?

How are obstacles perceived in this perspective?

What is the recommended approach towards the past?

What distinguishes a person who becomes better from one who becomes bitter after hardship?

What did Dr. Penfield use to stimulate different parts of the brain?

What did Dr. Penfield conclude about human experiences and memory?

What term describes the trace left on the cerebral cortex when an experience is encountered?

How does memory affect our perception of the past?

What is the main idea behind 'kiss the wave' in relation to the past?

What happens with each repetition of a memory according to Dr. Penfield?

What is a potential consequence of misremembering the past?

What does accurately inventorying your past involve?

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.

Explore the groundbreaking research of Wilder Penfield, a neurosurgeon who mapped the human brain through electrical stimulation. Discover how his studies on epilepsy patients uncovered the intricacies of memory encoding and retrieval, and the subjective nature of personal memories.