Mirror Neurons

Research has uncovered an interesting kind of brain cell called the Mirror Neuron. This mirror neuron mimics or mirrors what we see. 

• It's why we unconsciously repeat phrases we've seen and heard.
• It's why we have mannerisms like our parents.
• It's why we treat others how we've been treated.
• It's why we yawn when we see others yawn. 

It simply is our brains learning how to act by observing, unconsciously, how others are acting. 

This can be dangerous or beautiful, depending on how we allow our mirror neurons (and our children's) to be trained. 

Dangerous -

• If I watch, willingly or unwillingly, my mother get emotionally or physically abused by my father, then I choose a man who will treat me this way. 
• If I witness self-preservation through emotional walls that don't allow my parents to say 'I love you,' to me, then I build emotional walls and never say 'I love you.' 
• If I heard profanity as the response to frustration, then I use that same profanity when I'm frustrated. 
• If I see money as the most important thing to someone I admire, then money becomes the most important thing to me. 
• If I hear hatred or insignificance toward a specific people or person, then I begin to hate or despise those same people. 

HOWEVER... 

• If I hear apology and forgiveness as the interaction of my parents for even the smallest of disrespectful actions, then I apologize and give forgiveness. 
• If I witness a teacher figure being a learner from her own mistakes, then I embrace my mistakes as a learning opportunity. 
• If I see generous compassion to the needy by a leader I trust, then I act with generous compassion. 
• If I witness peace in the middle of storms by a friend, then I can experience peace in the middle of my own storms. 

Mirror Neurons are an incredible design feature of our brains.

HOWEVER, it leaves us with the responsibility to...

• Increase my awareness of how my mirror neurons are being trained
• Choose wisely who I allow to train me
• Consider how my actions are training my children
• Consider who else I'm allowing to train my children

The phrase, "Do as I say and not as I do," is a sarcastic denial of the truth. Your children, co-workers, teammates, spouse, and friends are watching you (willingly or unwillingly) and their mirror neurons are learning. What do you want them to learn from you? 

ACTION:

1. Consider who or what you spend the most time with and the influence on your own actions, emotions, and beliefs? Do you desire to become more like them in every way?
2. If yes, great! If no, consider who you want to become more like and spend more time with them.
3. Be conscious that your mirror neurons are always learning from those around you.