Something I just learned from Head Games

Have any of you seen the new show on the Discovery Channel called Head Games?

Well I watched it the other day and I actually learned something that has EXTREMELY helped me.

The past few months I have been determined to conquer my issues with cleaning… from the actual cleaning itself, and the meaning and purpose behind it. I have already learned that I don’t HAVE TO clean (you can read my article on that called “Discipline VS Legalism”)  But deep down, that doesn’t really help me. It doesn’t get to the root of my issues.

So what did I learn from this show?

Well let me paint the picture. They were doing an experiment at some museum type place where they made a line on the floor out of red tape. And then they placed a sign saying to stay only on that red tape. They would then move the tape in a ridiculous fashion (they would have it in a zig zag, they would have them going in a circle around a pole, etc). People followed! I was able to find the video on Youtube (yay!!!). Fast forward to about 15:15 to where that point starts. 

 They explained why…and this is what helped me so much.

There is a part of the brain that feels good when we follow the rules…no matter how crazy those rules are!!

Then, there is a part of the brain that makes you feel horrible if you don’t follow the rules…even rules that are truly ridiculous (like walking in circles around a pole).

I have always been a goody too shoo, I had no behavior problems in school, and I like to follow rules (because, as I just learned, it makes my brain happy lol).

So when I would read other homemaking blogs, I made their routines and schedules, RULES for ME.

Now when I start to feel bad about something, I ask myself – “did I make a rule out of something?”

This relates to anything!

Have you set up rules in your life about studying the Bible?

Like me, have you set up rules about how you’re going to clean the house? Better yet, are you following someone ELSE’S “rules” to clean your house?

Have you set up rules in regards to your parenting?

How you spend your day?

How much time you spend doing certain activities?

How you eat?

How you spend your money?

On and on!!

So next time you notice that you are feeling down on yourself about something, stop and think….”is there a rule I made that I think I’m breaking?” OBVIOUSLY it's not bad to set rules for yourself, or follow someone's wisdom in doing something...I'm trying to get at the root of some of the things that bother you and you don't even know why.

Does it matter if you clean that room in the morning or in the afternoon? There is no rule book in life for WHEN you do something. There is actually no rule that says you even have to do it really! Of course I know you want a clean home…that’s not what I’m saying here. I’m just trying to get to the point that there are no RULES on HOW you do it!!!

Just something to think about!