Sunday Veritas: Brain Fatigue

By -
According to scientists, brain fatigue leads to memory loss, distraction, forgetfulness, and lack of concentration. Especially in urban areas, a hectic way of living leaves no space for brain recovery. In a New York Times article entitled “Easing Brain Fatigue With a Walk in the Park”, Gretchen Reynolds, says that “With brain fatigue, you are easily distracted, forgetful and mentally flighty.” She comments that recent study suggests that calm and focus can be restored by spending time with nature, even a walk in the park. The study points out that trees and green have a calming effect in contrast to fatigue and lack of concentration produced by busy urban scenery.

Jesus knew about the restoring power of trees and green as he left the chaotic pace of Jerusalem to spend the night in a mountain ridge covered with olive groves east of Jerusalem called Mount of Olive. Luke says in his Gospel that: “Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.” Luke 21:37-38)

He frequently retired to quiet places for mind, body and soul restoration. In the chapter six of his Gospel, Mark describe one of this days that began in Jesus’ own hometown. He and his disciples taught, healed and ministered to peoples need. At the end of the day they were exhausted. Verse 30 and 31 says: “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Those scriptures highlight two principles. The first is the need to recognize that your body, spirit and mind need time for recovery. You get tired and weary and need rest, recognition is the first step to recovery. Second, removing yourself from the source of stress and brain drainage, and going to a place with trees and green like Jesus did going to Mount Olive, restores your brain.

Now, where or what is Mount Olive for you; the place where you find peace and clam for brain recovery? And take the time to go there.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Forty Years With Mercy Ships

By -
Image
  Today marks a milestone in my career. Forty years ago, on July 2, 1983, I joined the Organization #MercyShips. Back then, the dream to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor was mainly work, a lot of hard work. But as my parents used to tell me, work doesn’t kill anyone; I’m here to say that they were right. In those forty years, I sailed the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Visited three continents and ministered in 42 countries. Countless volunteers from around the world worked without ceasing on the first Mercy Ships, the Anastasis, and the other ships that followed her, the Good Samaritan, the Pacific Ruby, the Caribbean Mercy, the #AfricaMercy, and now our newest ship, the #GlobalMercy. #Mercy Ships has delivered services to more than 2.86 million beneficiaries during this time. Provided services and materials in developing countries valued at over $1.77 billion, including the following: Performed more than 108,000 life-changing or life-saving surgical procedures
Read more

A Tribute to Pelé

By -
 I was 15 years old at the time of the buzz about Pelé’s 1000th goal. The countdown began on the 910th. Local, national, and international media followed his team, Santos FC, everywhere. The conversation at the offices, factories, bars, street corners, and the no-grass soccer fields was about when, where, and how the historical feat would happen. At the time, the closer goal scorer was four hundred goals behind. We wanted to know who would go into history by association just for being under the crossbar at the wrong time for them but at the right time for the rest of the world. Our imagination wondered what kind of special magic Pelé would use to score a goal that would be in our memories forever. Would he score with his head after rising a foot above his marker? Or would he score after controlling a crossed ball with his chest, looping it over a defender before kicking it to the back of the net? Would the goal happen after a spectacular run from the mid-field leaving behind counte
Read more

Happy Father's Day!

By -
It is a beautiful East Texas Sunday. A perfect day to celebrate Father’s Day. No matter if he is your biological father, an adopted father, a stepfather, or just someone who has the role of a father figure in your life. Today we celebrate fathers. I can’t resist reflecting on my father, Mr. Manoel Barbosa Dos Santos, a hardworking man who was always there present in my life. He brought me to my first day of school, took me to my first soccer game at Maracanã stadium, was with me when I joined Merchant Marine Academy, and helped me to fix my first house. It is hard to remember an important event in my life when he was not present. He was always there. And he did it without saying anything. He was from an era when it was unnecessary to say to those you love; I love you. I know of his love for me not because he said it but because he demonstrated it. I remember one time when I was playing soccer at the local fire station’s futsal court when I glimpsed my father with a grin on his fa
Read more