Simply..deep learning....

11/9/2017

I learned something important (for me) yesterday. I don't mean deep learning in the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning sense - I mean it as something imprinted not just in my mind but in my body, in every cell.

I'm not sure I can explain it well...in yesterday's photo taken by Scott I held that pose for maybe 7 or 8 seconds, laughing because it was early on a rainy Sunday morning, we'd only just got out of bed, I was feeling far from exuberant and energetic, and what on earth were we doing trying to copy a pose on a postcard? (When I showed the postcard to Scott and said 'Do you think we could take a photograph like that?' he replied in his polite way 'No thanks' but almost immediately changed his mind...and went to find his wellies.)

But that extravagant gesture brought with it a delightful surge of energy which stayed with me all day, and made me grin every time I thought of it. Just 7 or 8 seconds of physical movement had such a big, positive and lasting effect!

If you, like me, live too much in your head, won't you try it and see what happens to your energy levels and your mood? It helps of course to have a seven year old around, or a dog, or a friend who likes a laugh.

I shouldn't really be surprised because I know (in my head of course) that this is why people run and jump and get into sport but I've never really liked sport, or exercise. And I am surprised and rather delighted to have discovered how this worked for me. It's that 'act as if' thing. I look at the photograph and know that I haven't felt like that in so long...but acting as if I did had this magical effect.

Well this is a long-winded way of saying it made me feel SO HAPPY!

I am reminded of this all-time favourite cartoon - www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/173107179400186336/

14 Comments

Lucille

11/9/2017 02:41:22 pm

I was reminded of this research when I read your post:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/smile-it-could-make-you-happier/

Freda

12/9/2017 02:59:23 pm

Thank you for the interesting link Lucille.

Lotta

12/9/2017 12:14:45 am

I totally get this Freda (as someone else who lives too much in her head I've had similar moments of revelation!) and it's why that photo makes such an impact - that feeling is transmitted so strongly through it that it makes everyone who looks at it feel the same way. I've been thinking lately about how much difference it makes not only nourishing your body and mind with good food, but also with good thoughts, good images etc. This is like feeding yourself with good movement, good gestures... I shall smile my way through my morning... 😊

Freda

12/9/2017 03:00:36 pm

Good thoughts and good images - yes! So glad it made you smile too.

Swissrose link

12/9/2017 12:48:38 am

Yes! Opening the heart area in a physical way could describe it, I suppose, but there is exhiliaration there that is inspiring!
You mention dogs; one particular thing I love about my merry little cocker spaniel is her sheer delight that I have woken up each morning, apparently hugely exciting (or is that just anticipation of breakfast?!).
And Snoopy/Peanuts - always my favourite, too (my first dog was that sort of dog!).

Freda

12/9/2017 03:02:01 pm

Love the idea of your merry spaniel being so delighted to see you!

Mary

12/9/2017 02:07:39 am

Charles Schulz was a genius at capturing life.

As another person (Lotta, too, I see) who lives in their head, I can understand how that act of exuberance opened your emotions up in special way. About the only time I seem to do this these days is with some of my youngest grandchildren (6 wks, 2 and 3 years old). With them I get silly: roll around on the floor, make funny sounds, read to them in character. As you say, nothing like having a small child around to help you let go. But I will have to try your little exercise by myself one of these days. To quote Mr Schulz: "Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use."

Freda

12/9/2017 03:03:30 pm

Schulz got it right so often. Brilliant.

Julia

12/9/2017 06:10:42 am

Yes, yes, yes! To all of the above..i'm in my head way too much also andthere is nothing like a smile or a hearty laugh to improve my mood...and did you notice how scott also quickly changed his mind and said: "yes!" to your proposal? And by the way, Freda...i loved that cartoon so much that it hung in my yoga studio as a reminder to my students...it's perfect...our facial expressions and body postures reflect our minds, and if we want to change our minds, we need to change how we are holding our bodies and our faces. Act like it's true!

Freda

12/9/2017 03:05:07 pm

Like many of us I am sure, I had read about this, but this experience of it really brought it home to me :-)

Cristiana

12/9/2017 06:38:08 am

Yes to all of this.
I too know very well what it is to know something in my mind and how much poignant it is when I actually experience it in all cells. There's knowing and there's K n o w i n g.
You mention the impact of those 7 or 8 seconds in you and I add that it poured over anyone seeing your post. Truly wonderful.

Freda

12/9/2017 03:06:02 pm

Isn't that fun that there is this chain of smiles!

cath

12/9/2017 08:41:34 am

Precious image, precious experience, grateful for you sharing this here. Might try a simply small experiment myself, smiling like Lotta.

Freda

12/9/2017 03:06:37 pm

Grateful to you Cath.

Simply..deep learning....

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