The mind is the most powerful tool that a human possesses. Our mind and body help us to navigate and understand the world around us. Our identity and reality are all connected to the mind, that is why it is important to exercise the mind. Exercising the mind simply means challenging it. Much like training for sports, the mind must also be trained to remain sharp and at peak performance.
Exercising the mind can be done in a variety of ways. One of the most common is reading. The more we read, the stronger the mind becomes. Reading is for the mind what cardio is for the heart. The more we read the more expansive our thoughts become. I recommend reading for at least 15-30 minutes every day. You can read a book, blogs, articles, or anything that requires you to focus and internalize. However, it is imperative that you pay attention to what you read. Reading things that lead to one’s personal detriment should be avoided. Be aware of the quality of what you read.
Another way to challenge the mind is to engage in intelligent discourse. I have many friends with different points of view with whom I often engage in conversation. I usually base my friendships on similar morality and not necessarily similar beliefs. I have many friends with unique takes on a variety of topics, ideas and concepts. We spend time debating and learning from one another and the discourse helps us to understand, challenge and change or strengthen our beliefs. I suggest to everyone that they engage in at least one conversation per day that requires you to use additional brain and mental energy. The conversation does not have to be with a close friend. It can be with a neighbour or a co-worker, but it is important to engage in discourse with someone who is respectful and has a different view from you.
Critical thinking is another way in which we can exercise the mind. I see critical thinking as an important higher cognitive skill. We should not be passive absorbers of knowledge but rather we should look at critical ways in which we can apply our knowledge to resolve issues or problems. Critical thinking also helps us to deconstruct the content that we consume and analyze it. We can also use our critical thinking skills when playing games or working in teams.
My last suggestion for this post would be meditation. Meditation is an important exercise for the mind. Meditation helps us to organize our thoughts and recentre ourselves. It is a great method for stress relief and allows for introspection and self-analysis. Meditation also compliments all other forms of exercise for the mind and brain. Just 5 minutes of meditation can make a difference.
The mind needs to be constantly challenged. We often focus on many things for the body that help to improve brain activity, but it is also important to engage in exercises that help to improve our mental activity. Our mind is a powerful tool and we must keep it sharp.
What are some ways in which you exercise your mind/brain?
Darrion M. Narine was born in Trinidad and Tobago but considers himself to be a global citizen. He is a social development specialist and a performing artiste. He is currently the programme manager of the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants, working alongside UN agencies and grassroots organizations in Trinidad and Tobago to cater towards the educational, psychosocial, health and physiological needs of over 30,000 migrants and refugees.
Darrion was also the chair of the CHOGM CYF taskforce responsible for executing the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2022. He managed a 21-member taskforce made up of people from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The taskforce was responsible for the planning, programme development and execution of the CHOGM CYF 2022 which hosted over 500 delegate from across the globe. His work in these fields have allowed him to develop his resource mobilization skills since he has been able to raise additional money for the support of several projects. which he manages.
Additionally, Darrion was the former Vice Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement on the Commonwealth Youth Council, which serves 1.2 billion youth across the globe. His work focused on youth development, global socio-economic development and global social policy development. During his tenure he was able to launch and co-partner on several programmes. He co-founded the RACE campaign which allowed for healthy conversations around race and race relations. He was also a key founding director of the Youth Voice Matters campaign which promoted the increase in youth political participation. He holds a BSc in Psychology (Special) with a minor in Theatre Arts and a MA in Cultural Studies from the University of the West Indies (U.W.I). He is the former President of the U.W.I Guild of Students 2018/19, where he represented the students at all major university meetings and external advocacy movements and is a National Youth Award recipient for Leadership from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to this, he was a board member on the Global Coalition for Youth Employment (under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and National Service) and has served as a board member on the Chancellor’s Commission on Governance for the University of the West Indies reviewing the University’s governance structures and making recommendations for overall improvement of its systems and operations.
Darrion is also a cultural advocate, poet , writer and performer. He has taught techniques in performance, public speaking drama and networking to hundreds of young people across Trinidad and Tobago. He has also done skills development training at various schools across the country and region. Furthermore, he is an actor with DCShell Theatre, a singer, a poet and a writer. He has a collection of music and poetry and has performed across the globe. He believes strongly that education is liberation, and the key to a progressive population.
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