BRAIN WASH

(c)1989, David Humes

Some people think brain washing is bad. The term conjures up old war tortures or the old movie "A Clockwork Orange."

However, when you think about it, we don't hesitate to wash our cars, the dishes, our bodies, and everything else the eye can see. But what about our brains? How can we forget to wash and fine-tune the most important asset we have to assist us in being the best musician we can be? When you think about it, don't most people NEED their brains washed? The author is no exception to this.

Webster's dictionary defines the word "wash" as "to cleanse or purify." Not only does our brain need washing, but it needs regular maintenance as well. Do you wash the dishes only once? Or do you wash them after each time you cook a meal? And what begins to grow on them if you don't? Consistent washing is vital to a well-kept house - and brain.

You are being "brain dirtied" every day, whether you realize it or not. Either you take charge and decide what is going to (wash brain) go into your head, or, by default, let the world decide what (dirty brain) goes in. And who do you think cares about you the most? The world? Or you?

By you choosing what goes into your head, you (not the world) can determine the outcome of your life. How can you cultivate and nurture a clear thinking and positive mind? Autosuggestion.

Autosuggestion is consciously choosing what you are saying to yourself by using positive "affirmations." An affirmation is something you say to yourself, which either builds or destroys your self-esteem. Self-esteem is EVERYTHING when it comes to your success or failure as a musician. Affirmations like "I can do it" and "I am a success" build self esteem and increase vital life energy. On the contrary, affirmations like "I can't do it" and "I am a failure" destroy your self-esteem and can eventually kill you.

You will never get rid of all the negative voices in your head. The negative voices come from what other people say to you, while the positive ones come from what you say to yourself. Think of these voices as a large crowd of people, with some yelling positive, and some yelling negative messages. The idea is to drown out the negative voices with the positive ones.

When used properly, affirmations can be very powerful indeed to consciously program yourself to be more creative, resourceful, constructive, productive and happy. At first, it may seem silly saying them to yourself. You may not even believe them at first. But persevere. I promise you it will reap many positive rewards for you in good time.

Remember, misery loves company. People will want to keep you at their "comfort zone" level by trying to sell you negative "brain dirty" messages. DON'T BUY THEM! Control your own mind! Program your mind yourself with positive "brain wash" messages!

One suggestion on how to use affirmations is while looking at yourself (in your eyes) in a mirror, sitting, driving around, or anywhere you don't feel inhibited, say them out loud and with lots of enthusiasm. Another is to tape record them and listen to them in your own voice: you have a tendency to believe your own voice more than you would other people. Still another is to write them out in your own handwriting every day.

The latest psychological studies indicate that each of these techniques accesses a different part of the brain, which embeds the messages even deeper into your consciousness, further cleansing, purifying and assisting your incredibly powerful biocomputer! Your brain is an awesome biocomputer that can either help or hinder you based on your most dominant thoughts. Happy brain washing!