While catching up with one blog that I frequent, I came across a post that led me to this article. Please click on the link and watch the twirling dancer BEFORE you read the article. Note whether you see her turning clockwise or counterclockwise. This is very insightful.
When I first began watching her, she went counterclockwise. Then I read the article and learned a thing or two. I use mostly left-brain functions most of the time. When I watched her for a second time, I learned that I can make her turn the opposite way at will.
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe
When I read the above left-brain functions, I learned that I really identify with them. The “order/pattern perception” thing is CRAZY. I see an order or pattern in almost everything. I look at floors, count stairs/tiles/steps, etc, I look for patterns in peoples’ sentences and words, and things MUST have consistency or I get a little nutty. If I begin to type something with no uppercase letters, which I often do in emails, if I happen to switch to a mix of upper and lowercase, I have to change the whole email so that it’s consistent. If I journal on a scrapbook page and make the pronoun “I” uppercase in one sentence and lowercase in the next sentence, I have to redo it. Yes, I AM a nutjob.
“Uses logic” is another one that I identify with in a BIG way. I can NOT feel a feeling that doesn’t have a reason attached to it. If I cry, I have to know why. If I don’t know why, I will rationalize things to death to find a reason for my sadness. I can’t feel without logic behind the feelings. When I first started working with children, they would do things for NO reason whatsoever (hit someone, throw something, etc.). I now know that kids just do these things JUST BECAUSE. I would get so angry (no, not at the kids, just the circumstances) because when I would ask them, “Why did you do that?”, they would not have reasons for me. People don’t do things JUST BECAUSE…there is a reason for everything in my mind. Yes, I AM a nutjob.
Let’s see…where was I? (I think I type that question in every entry.) Oh…”past and present.” I do have a very difficult time looking into the future. I think that this is the reason that I am not afraid of death. It just isn’t a reality to me at this point because I perceive it to be sooo far into the future. When I want something, I want it NOW. I have a difficult time waiting for things. When Chris and I decided to have children, I wanted to be pregnant the next day…and I didn’t want to wait the necessary 9 months to have the baby. I can’t deal with or wait for the future like most people can. Yes, I AM a nutjob.
“Words and language”…don’t even get me started on this one. My dear mother will vouch for me on this. I correct everyone all the time when it comes to speech and grammar. I try very hard to control this, but it makes me crazy. I hate the word “ain’t.” I hate the misuse of pronouns. Trust me, this doesn’t mean that I don’t slip up every now and then. I could go on and on and on and on and on and on….forever on this subject. But I will spare all of you. Yes, I AM a nutjob.
And then there’s “can comprehend.” Oh, man. I can’t stand to know something and just KNOW it. I have to UNDERSTAND it. I heard through the celebrity gossip grapevine that women who practice Scientology are to be completely silent during childbirth. I couldn’t leave it alone. I have to understand why. And after a little (or a LOT…you know, you just can’t trust Wikipedia anymore) of research, I understand why. I almost failed calculus in high school even though I KNEW how to do it. I didn’t UNDERSTAND how to do it and that got in the way of my learning ability (Thank You Mrs. Gaerte for putting up with my ENDLESS supply of “Why?”). I can memorize to NO end, but if I don’t understand why, the simple fact that I don’t know why consumes me and wipes away everything I’ve previously memorized. I think this one is very, very closely related to “uses logic.” See, there I go…Yes, I AM a nutjob.
These are just a few of the issues I have with…um…myself and my brain. I won’t even get into the rest of the left-brain or ANY of the right-brain (yes, I have issues with some of them, too…surprise!). I will attempt to revisit this topic at a later date.
I just take things WAY TOO FAR. Everyone has these functions, no matter how pronounced or concealed they are…but I just can’t let things go most of the time. Most of my issues do not directly affect others except that “language and words” thingy. I’ll get to work on that, mom.
So, yes, I am a nutjob. I guess we’re all a little crazy. Are you? Do you see her going clockwise or counterclockwise? Do you have severe issues with some of the functions or are you an a fairly even plane? I’d love some insight from my faithful readers…
