I enjoy writing these posts recently, it’s a bit different from my personal journal, in which I don’t necessarily develop my thoughts, but more on my emotions. Even though they are obviously closely related.
Assuming my hypothesis—that we can reform society by focusing on the health of our brains—is true, the importance of habits, as valued by many writers, becomes evident.
All it takes is adding to these habits a few more abstract ideas, such as the fact that differences are not bad, but a benefit for our society, that we are a single human species sharing the same planet, and that our actions affect others.
The question of individual responsibility is crucial, in my opinion. By thinking that we have the freedom of non-responsibility, we lose an essential concept: the concept of purpose. This exists in standard religions, and while I don’t think detachment from religions is a bad thing, at least from the fanaticism associated with them, religions offer excellent values: thinking of others, doing one’s best, setting an example.
There is no need to want to abolish or eradicate everything; if values are right, they should be kept. However, we must also detach ourselves from parts that are less so. Traditions or dogmas based on nonsense need to be adapted to the new knowledge we have acquired.
It’s not easy, but it becomes a little easier when we engage our brain! And this is not only about IQ (although it allows us to understand abstract notions faster and easier). On the contrary, it’s about developing our thinking and reflection, improving our neuroplasticity. And developing this simply means living healthily!
But what does it mean to live healthily?
It’s already taking care of things that are visible to us; the more abstract things are harder.
Our body is easy to see; just use a mirror. A small aside on Michael Jackson’s song Man in the Mirror, which is an anthem for changing society by changing oneself. I didn’t know it before I started writing on One Daily Tale, and I was pleasantly surprised by its content, making me think I’m not the only one who thinks like this. It also reminds me that I used to be like everyone else, not thinking this way.
Sometimes, all it takes is just a trigger.
A healthy body is not just for show or to be more attractive (but if these goals help at first, why not! Two birds with one stone), a healthy body is the first mark of respect we show ourselves. If we love ourselves, we want to be healthy. And being healthy means making choices that are not always easy, it’s true.
Choosing balanced and healthy food over convenience. And our society doesn’t help us. Here, where I live in Japan, it’s quite simple, to be honest. And it’s also one of the reasons why the Japanese population is not as obese as in France or the US, for example. But obesity is rising, and diet is one of the obvious reasons.
The second difficult choice: physical exercise. And once again, our society doesn’t help us make this choice. When we’ve spent a whole day at work, and we finally want to “enjoy” our day, doing physical activity seems like an absurdity to many. Those who have the “luck” to like sports, it’s wonderful. But for those who don’t, it’s more complicated…
There is no miracle cure, but to be honest, when we do activities we don’t like, and we force ourselves to do them, our brain develops even more. That’s one of the reasons why trying new things, even when we already have our preconceived ideas, is an excellent way to train our brain.
This is long enough for today… I’ll continue writing tomorrow.
Have a good day, everyone, and enjoy your loved ones.
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