The 90-Second Rule That Will Change Your Life!
Although I didn’t often have time to view her afternoon show, I’ve started watching Oprah’s OWN network… most notably her “Life Class” and the “Sunday Morning Soul Series.” Oprah’s guest this Sunday was a woman I’ve had the pleasure and honor to have interviewed myself. I’ve also seen her on other shows… yet could listen to her message over and over. Every time I’ve heard her speak, I’m reminded of what’s truly important in life.
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard trained neuro-anatomist. At the age of 37, she suffered a massive stroke that, for years, significantly compromised the left hemisphere of her brain. During her long recovery period, Dr. Taylor’s training kicked-in and she became both the patient and the observer of the experience. Although locked inside her head (which, at first, was no longer able to recognize speech or even remember her own name), Dr. Taylor experienced a euphoric state of wellbeing. Her spirit grew to merge with the universal whole and she felt a sense of inner peace she’d never known–such feelings reside in the right hemisphere of the brain, which, by necessity, took over.
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey is Dr. Taylor’s intimate and inspiring story of her remarkable experience. The book is filled with thought-provoking revelations, tender moments, and extraordinary life lessons. I cannot begin to describe how touching and transformative this work truly is.
Out of all the universal truths in Dr. Taylor’s book, one life lesson stood out for me—the “90-second rule.” As Dr. Taylor put it, when one’s flight or fight response is triggered, there are certain reactions taking place in the limbic system of the brain that activate feelings such as fear and anger. But, she goes on to state, these physiological responses last only 90 seconds. After that, the chemicals of fear and anger are flushed from the bloodstream.
This lesson is profound. It means every time I’ve harbored a perceived slight, a wounding of my spirit, feelings of resentment, and anger or rage, I’ve chosen to do so! Whether consciously or unconsciously I’m choosing thoughts that will replay the flight/fight circuitry in my brain, causing a truly vicious cycle.
Therefore, unhappiness, bitterness, resentment, and anger are the results of choices we’ve made to replay old tapes that trigger chemicals of these feelings to re-release in our bloodstream. And, the more you play them, the stronger they can become. Amazing! I’ll leave you with these thoughts and a chance to ponder your own brain circuitry. Are you playing brain tapes that fill you with gratitude and joy or are you hitting the rewind button on unhappy experiences?
To learn more about Dr. Taylor and her truly astounding work, please listen to our brief, 12-minute interview. Then check out her website and take a look at her book. My Stroke of Insight is one of those life-altering reads that will change your outlook forever…
Posts
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Our thoughts are the only thing we really are in control of, they are the root of what we do and manifest. It’s less what happens to us that matters and more how we handle what happens to us.
Thanks for the great post, Eileen!
June 30th, 2012 at 3:13 am
Good insight! We are in control of our behavior. Don’t make excuses, make choices!
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:54 pm
What a great concept. Puts anger and fear into a whole new perspective. Thanks!
December 4th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I recently saw this interview for the 2nd time and was mesmerized once again. I will add this book to my collection. Jill Bolte Taylor shared several life lessons in this interview. I am holding on to “We are all responsible for the energy we bring.” Enjoyed this post.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:35 am
You have done it again! What a great post. Anger and resentment are of no use to us. I like the 90 sec. rule. Yes, get rid of the negative tapes and replace them with health ones. Keep up the great writing. It is wonderful and inspiring.
November 17th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
That’s an awesome insight. We should all be taught to count to 90 instead of 10 when we get upset.
November 17th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Really like your site and hope you will visit me from time to time!
Susan