Same Hardware But Different Software

We all have two hands, two legs, a torso, and one head. Hence, the same hardware but the software is most of the time, if not always different. And by software, I mean… What we internalize as being the truth. For example…

My mother does not know how to swim, but she liked the water so when she went to the beach, she would stay most of the time in the water. With the water reaching up to her chest. But one day she fell into a sinkhole. And couldn’t get out. Three men saw her and immediately jumped to save her. And they did (heroes in my book)!

But she remained emotionally scared by the experience and now she is no longer comfortable in the water. She installed software that now has a ‘’bad’’ output. Which brings out the strong emotion of fear, she felt that day, every time she gets near the water.

And that happens to all of us. But here is the kicker…

We make it worse by trying not to feel those feelings. We get so used to them that we think they are part of who we are (I am just somebody who’s afraid of water!). We identify with fear or stress. And we forget it’s not us. It’s just a program that we have installed.

I recently saw a video of people walking on a bridge that was very high up on a mountain. And two girls caught my eye. They were the same age, the same height, and even the same hair color. And one was extremely afraid to walk on the bridge while the other just strolled through like there was nothing to be afraid of. She was completely at ease. They were the same in all respects. But the programs, they accepted as true, were different.

One has accepted that heights are frightful while the other accepted them as something beautiful and not dangerous at all.

So you see…

‘’We make our own hell’’.

And that is what keeps us stuck. That is why we don’t take action. Because we think those programs we’ve installed in our brains and bodies are ‘’us’’. But they’re not! The you who is in there is not afraid. Never!

What happens, is that while in that strong emotional state. Our neurons fire and wire and build a habit (program). Those are not only the neurons in our brains. But the neurons in our bodies as well. Yes, we have neurons in our bodies. Especially in our hearts and gut. And they remember those feelings.

And when we are in a similar situation. Our body sends a signal to our brain. Our brain creates a mental picture of the event. Even if it’s not happening right now. And then the pituitary gland instructs the hypothalamus to secrete the hormones you need for that program. Such as fear, anxiety, etc.

And when those feelings arise. We freak out and try to do everything under the sun to get rid of them. But by doing that. By trying to suppress them, we make them stronger and keep them with us. Sometimes our whole life!

So, what to do about this…

First, you need to understand that those feelings are ‘’not you’’. They are just the result of a program you have installed and accepted as true. If somebody else can stay calm in the situation you find uncomfortable. That is empirical proof that you can too.

So, you accept this as the first step. And then be willing to feel the feelings. Let them be and just watch them. Look at them and let them be. Breathe in and let it go!

Once you understand that those feelings are not from you but from the experience you have accepted as true. And are willing to feel them, breathe in, and let them be. In other words… Accepting them! Accepting that you feel this way and not trying to do anything about it. You will find that they will disappear after a period of time.

And you will be able to do things you never thought you could ever do.

And that is a beautiful thing!