Stuck in Brain-Trap? Try Some Duran Duran!

Sometimes we allow ourselves to get trapped in an ever-shrinking inner-world. We close in on ourselves as we pull away from others and outside activities. Suddenly even the big outside world seems small. It happens subtly and often doesn’t come to our attention until we start to crumble inside. We feel lethargic, despondent and hopeless. Then we realize that we’ve reduced the real world down to the size of our brains—a very dangerous placed to be trapped in. No wonder we don’t feel alive.

If you’re suffering from Brain Trap, if the walls are closing-in on you, it’s time to get out and do something. If you can make arrangements with a friend to go walking in the park, or go to a concert, or golfing, etc., then do it. Just make sure that you choose to do something that makes you feel somewhat alive and not something that simply medicates you more (like shopping).

Last Sunday night I got out of my brain-trap by going to a Duran Duran concert with a friend. As the big event drew nearer, I felt a rebellious tension inside of me, however. Part of me was thrilled to be seeing my all-time favorite rock band, and part of me was distressed and wanting to skip-out on the concert. That part of me just wanted to stay home. It made me realize how comfortable I am with being among the living dead.

Luckily, the excited, adventurous side of me held sway against my zombie-side, and I met my friend for dinner and then the concert. Once Duran Duran hit the stage, I felt surreally alive. I stayed on my feet during the nearly two hour concert. I clapped, sang, danced and screamed. Inside I felt a thawing and my mouth almost felt “alive with juices like wine,” to quote Hungry Like the Wolf! I nearly felt alive. I felt newly energized and empowered, and interested in attending other concerts. My inner-zombie was shrinking! Life opened-up beyond my head, beyond the hum-drum of work and beyond lifeless existence.

All of my newly rediscovered alive-with-life feelings stayed with me into Monday. I felt like a puzzle piece neatly in place with all of the other pieces in the giant puzzle of the Universe. Everything fit. Everything felt good because I was free from my brain trap. The world had expanded with me and life seemed so much better.

If you’re brain-trapped, pick up your phone, call friends and get active. To find happiness in this world, you have to be active in this world. Start participating in the world outside your head. That place “outside” is called reality, real life. It’s here and now and All You Need Is Now-- the only place to be. Be happy, that is.