Imagine scientists announce they’ve created a basic computer made from meat, capable of solving mazes or doing simple arithmetic. That would be both amazing and a bit eerie!
What’s more incredible is that you’re reading this on a far more advanced meat computer – your brain, made mostly of protein and fat. This brain helps you understand the world despite functioning in a wet environment and needing electricity. It’s remarkable that this complex organ works so well. Not only can you read this article, but brains like yours designed and built the device you’re using and the networks connecting you to this content, whether you’re in Juno or Johannesburg, La Paz or Lhasa. Right now, brains are even using robots to explore space and other planets.
The reason I’m highlighting how extraordinary it is that our brains work at all is because we often expect impossibly high performance from ourselves. We want to meditate and feel calm but instead find our minds racing. We try to remember important things but keep forgetting. We strive to be patient but lose our temper. We aim for happiness yet often feel dissatisfied.
Expecting perfection sets us up for failure. Our brains are quirky, fragile, and unreliable, even in the best circumstances. They malfunction when they’re low on fuel, overloaded with information, or haven’t had enough rest (about six to eight hours a day for adults). In such states, our cognitive performance plummets. We might think we’re under attack or feel worthless.
So, yes, you’ll forget things, lose your temper, misinterpret what’s said, believe false information, and make poor decisions. Your brain simply isn’t flawless.
When we expect flawlessness, every mistake upsets us. We might criticize ourselves (“How could I forget? I’m so stupid!”), deny the mistake (“You didn’t need to remind me; I was about to do it anyway!”), or deflect (“Well, you lost your car keys three months ago!”). Life becomes easier when we accept that our brains aren’t perfect and that we will make mistakes.
When I get irritable and yell because I’m overloaded – like when I’m cooking, helping my kids with homework, and checking messages – it helps to remember that it’s not because the world is awful or I’m a bad dad. My brain is just low on glucose and trying to do too much. Recognizing this makes it easier to forgive myself, manage my emotions, and adjust my behavior to reduce stress.
I’m not saying “keep losing your temper because your brain isn’t great.” I mean we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves for being imperfect.
You can compensate for your brain’s weaknesses by understanding them. Take better care of your brain: ensure it gets enough rest, fuel it properly, give it breaks, and minimize distractions from your devices. Regular meditation can help your brain run more efficiently.
We can apply this understanding to others, too. When someone forgets something, remind yourself that it’s normal. If a child or partner is moody or misbehaves, consider that their brains might not be functioning ideally at the moment. With this awareness, we can be more empathetic and supportive.
I hope you’ve found something here to make your internal environment more stable and efficient, helping you interact more harmoniously with others. In simpler terms, I hope this helps you live more happily and relate to others with more patience, kindness, and empathy. And since my own brain works best when it’s not stressed about finances, perhaps you’ll consider supporting Wildmind with a donation.
Great article, thanks for reading.