As I journey through life, I wonder how much better things would have turned out if I had taken more time to meditate on decisions that impact my life. Little wonder, Leonardo da Vinci stated, “He who thinks little errs much.” Our people believe that the morning begins when a man (or, dare I say, a woman) wakes up. In other words, there will always be opportunities to start all over again. Never believe that you are past redemption or that time has gone by. Truth be told, all we have is time, and how we make the best use of it rests with us.
As René Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am.” The ability to think and reason sets us apart from other species. If we can actually take time to stop, pulse, meditate, conceive, and process, then we can make better judgments. This means that when we combine concepts, they yield judgment. The judgment could be positive or negative.
Reasoning, or should I say considering anything logically or rationally, arises from putting or combining several things.
It should come as no surprise to us that people have two minds. There are two types of minds: one that thinks, known as the “head or rational brain,” and another that feels, known as the “heart or emotional brain.” The Neocortex, or part of the reasoning brain, assists us with thinking, planning, language, decision-making, and other cognitive processes.
More of the heart than the mind is used when emotions are strong. Naturally, we should always consider our options before acting. But as we have learned from experience, we first act, and then we think.
Emotions are produced in the limbic system, which is located in the center of the brain. This system includes all cell processes as well as the thalamus, which transmits information, and the hypothalamus, which maintains homeostasis and the best circumstances for enzyme functioning throughout the body. Keeping a steady internal environment despite changes in internal and external factors is what it means to maintain equilibrium. These include the human body’s mechanisms for regulating blood sugar levels, the Hippocampus (which converts memories), and the Amygdala (emotions).
The strangely named amygdala in the brain regulates emotions. The left side reflects good feelings like happiness and joy, whereas the right side is linked to negative emotions like fear.
A “meta-ability” that governs how well we can use our other intelligence, skills, and talents is emotional intelligence, often known as emotional quotient or EQ.
An emotionally intelligent individual can manage their Amygdala, which is revealed by emotional intelligence. However, a lack of control results in an emotional hijacking. Are you vulnerable?
The majority of us are incredibly vulnerable and living in Lagos, or Eko as its natives call it makes this obvious. It takes a sane mind, discipline, willpower, and calmness to survive in this metropolis. You may trust me when I say that your emotions will be completely out of control in addition to being hijacked. We cannot control our emotions if we do not know ourselves.
One of the four qualities of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. It is the capacity to recognize your feelings and comprehend your tendencies in various contexts. This is interpreted as having self-assurance, being aware of your emotional condition, and understanding how your actions affect other people.
#MEMBA11
