Neural-Cultivating/Happy Is Smart!

Feb 25, 2021Fred
Happy is Smart

Tips in this week's blog: Happy is Smart



  • The Most Important Decision We Will Ever Make

  • Einstein's Two Magical Life Tenets

  • The Black Hole of Our Minds

  • Cultivate Friendliness


"The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe."

-Albert Einstein

If this quote looks familiar, it is. I referred to it in last week’s blog. Consider the fact that Albert Einstein was an astounding thinker. He has given us a piece of sage advice: The Most Important Decision We Make! I’ve read the Einstein quote above countless times over the years, and it continually reminds me of many important truths. A couple of thoughts that Einstein’s quote elicits are:

  1. We must take total ownership of ourselves.

  2. What we think about most we pull to us.


These are only a few of the learnings one could lift from this quote. Of course, Einstein's intelligence is legendary. There is a story about Einstein being approached by a group of scholars at a social event. The story unfolds with this highbrow group having a lively and loquacious debate about the "Meaning of Life." They ruminate with salvos and lengthy speeches, one more eloquent than the next. Einstein politely listens to the discourse.

Finally, one member of the group turns and bluntly asks, "Mr. Einstein, What is the meaning of life?" Einstein without pause answers in three words, and takes his leave of the group. The dumbfounded group watches him walk away sporting a wry smile. The legendary, universally regarded Albert Einstein, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who gave us the general theory of relativity, conveyed the meaning of life.

I remember reading his response and was struck that this guy, as intelligent and revered as he was, was more brilliant than I ever imagined. I considered his answer to "the meaning of life" question to be even at a level of thought that was higher than the incomprehensible equations for which he is so famous. His answer, stunning yet simple, was "To Serve Others."

Einstein's Two Magical Tenets:

We have the power within us to choose to live in a friendly universe.

We have the power within us to choose to serve others.

Documentation of the actual story above is lacking. But the consideration of the cross-hatching of multidimensional scientific achievement with the base human condition seems unexpected, yet not improbable. Disciplined minds can deeply ponder many topics. Some among us possess a gift that allows them the innate ability to distill the extraordinarily complex down to a simple, piercing truth.

If we can absorb those three words and internalize their powerful meaning, the trajectory of our lives can be forever changed. These two gripping principles are truly magical tenets by which to live. Thank you, Mr. Einstien.


The Black Hole of Our Minds


Einstien’s theory of general relativity was the building block of the discovery of black holes. A black hole is a region in space where the pulling force of gravity is so strong that light cannot escape. Strong gravity occurs because matter has been pressed into a tiny space. The boundary of ‘no escape’ is called the event horizon. Crossing the event horizon is characterized by a pull so strong that no path can lead away from the black hole.

If we hold the thought of a friendly universe, our minds expand. We are open to possibilities around us. We embrace the unknown. We welcome diversity. Conversely, if we believe the universe is hostile, our mental energies collapse and close down.

Mental contraction can be likened to a black hole – a powerful mental pull shrinking and tightening our ability to grow, learn and thrive. Likewise, a belief in the tenet of having a purpose (to serve others), amplifies our wonder and our joy.

To choose another path, sadly, collapses and prevents one of the most precious (and elusive) rewards from becoming readily available to us during our lifetime – happiness.

Studying and applying Einstien’s ‘life’ tenets can open our minds and allow understanding well beyond our horizons. We can experience the very best (and unfortunately, the worst) in our human species.

This expansion of mind and thought may offer a glimpse into why some governments, religions, or even entire cultures evolve forward, flourish and have a greater positive impact – and why some inevitably telescope into a black hole, no longer detectable by the human eye, heart, and mind.

Try this exercise. Take a subject and see it through the lens of the two Einstein tenets. Ask if it is friendly, open, and expanding. Does it serve others? If the answer to both is yes, then it is likely a worthwhile endeavor worthy of your attention and support. As we reflect and consider what occupies our time and our life, do so with the two tenets at the forefront.

Using this ‘litmus test’ in our daily walk will bring generous benefits. This is cultivating -- cultivating simple, earnest friendliness and helpfulness.

Permit yourself to take back your power to have a good day – every day.


"No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking."


 -Voltaire


Cultivate Being Friendly

If there is a sacredness in life, consider that it is the ability to harness these two life tenets. We must safeguard this ideal and never relinquish it to another person or group. These life tenets, once ours, will be challenged – constantly. The more we can internalize this into our persona, the stronger our link to these mindsets. The stronger this link, the happier and more stable we become as individuals. And, then, over time, as a culture…

Everyone wants to be happy. Right? Surely, even those who seem to run off the ‘hate cliff’, and pulling others along with them into the black hole would prefer another way. I think many people simply don’t have the belief that the ‘life tenets’ are available to them. They don’t know how to be happy.

My sincere desire is to help as many as possible become aware of and develop these tenets. No one can pull you off a cliff, into a black hole, or take away your Happiness – unless you give them your permission, your power. Hold fast to the realization that this is your choice.

"If you think it's easy, you're wrong! If you think it's impossible, you're wrong!"

-Bill Gates

Over the next couple of weeks, I will share some more learning that can help you further fortify your arsenal of choosing happiness.

Remember, my friends, Happy Is Smart.

It is my greatest hope that you will implement some tips from our Bio-Cultivating and Neural-Cultivating blogs. Further, it is my hope you will be inspired to pass these learnings along to family and friends. We all have people in our lives who have the desire but lack the accurate information to improve their health.

It is frustrating to sift through the bombardment of data and the misinformation in today's world. It's no wonder some give up in frustration. I believe that we deserve the healthiest choices that honest modern science can offer. It is my mission to help as many of us as possible get and stay healthy.



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