How to Fight Your Lizard Brain

When I wake up in the morning, my goal is always to have the best day possible. I want to tackle my to-do list, be kind to everyone I meet and be a productive member of society.

I fail every day. And that’s ok.

In school, you are rated on a scale every day so that we have an idea of how well you followed directions. Last year you would receive a red, yellow or green. This year you receive a number 1-4 (4 being best.) There are some weeks where you get all 3’s and 4’s. Go you! There are also weeks where you get all 2’s. Big bummer.

Don’t beat yourself up over. Life just happens that way sometimes.

Our expectation of you is that every morning when you walk into that classroom, you will try your best to get a 3 or 4. Every single day.

And one other thing: our expectation is that you you won’t do great every day.

Why? Because we don’t.

Sometimes I try really hard to get something done and I just can’t. Sometimes the weather puts me in a foul mood. Sometimes I’m tired. Sometimes I snap at someone who doesn’t deserve it. Sometimes I’m just lazy for no reason. But MOST of the time, I get a 3 or a 4.

Deep inside of our heads, we have what’s called the “lizard brain.” It’s the oldest part of our brain and it controls our survival instinct. This is where “fight or flight” lives. This part of our body was designed to keep us alive. It will remind you repeatedly of all of the things that you did wrong today. It likes to beat you up and show you what you failed at. It does this because it wants you to survive.

You can do 99 things correct and the lizard brain will point out the one thing that you messed up. And you will beat yourself up over it. The lizard brain needs you to focus on that mistake because it wants to ensure that you never make that mistake again. It wants you to survive rather than get eaten by a wolf.

The wolves aren’t going to eat you if you get a 2. I know, because I’ve had difficult days and lived to tell about them.

You are not a number. Your worth isn’t boiled down to a sliding scale.

You didn’t finish your math, but you did comfort a friend who was sad.

You talked during the assembly, but you also sang proudly during music class.

You forgot your backpack, but you didn’t forget to tell me that you love me.

Life isn’t a scorecard. It’s about trying your best every day and picking yourself up when you fall.

And you will fall. Again. And again. And again.

But you will pick yourself up and you will get stronger. And stronger. And stronger.

The sun shines brightly 365 days a year, but sometimes clouds will cover it up and try to trick you into thinking that the sun isn’t shining.

But it is.

It always is.

When the sun creeps into your room tomorrow morning, get dressed and prepare for a 3 or a 4, but if the clouds move in, remind yourself that the wind will blow them away just as easily as it carried them here.

Image: sabertasche2 on Flickr