Left Brain | Right Brain

Ever wondered, what if it turns out that each of us are not one but two people? Well, I didn't mean the good or bad side or the alter-ego. I meant, literally, we are two people thinking distinctively in one body. I am not a scientist, or a neuro surgeon, however, I found this very interesting to ponder over it.

Our brain consists of two cerebral hemispheres. The left and right side of the brains process information in different ways depending on the dominant side.



The Left Side
The left side of the brain processes information in a logical, sequential and linear order. The people with left dominant side, are good with symbols and numbers. They are good with making a to-do list, they set their goals to keep themselves on track, they make schedule to achieve their goals. They have very little trouble putting their thoughts in words.

The Right Side
The information on this side of the brain is processed intuitively, random, concrete and holistically. The right dominant brain people backup everything visually. They are creative and are usually associated with art. They like to act out stories. They see the big picture first before organizing it into pieces. They need to know why they are doing something. They need a summary of the book, before reading it. They need the gist of the movie, before watching it, to know what it is about, so that they can generate interest in it.

It would be interesting to know, which side of your brain is dominant. I took a test on one of the websites to know which side of my brain is dominant. Well, it turns out, both sides of my brain are almost balanced, however, my right side of the brain earned a couple extra points.

Take the test to know the dominant side of your brain.

So long!

The Gaslighting Effect !

While walking on the treadmill at the gym couple of days ago, my i-pod stopped working. To entertain myself, I picked up an old issue of Elle magazine. While browsing through the pages of Elle, I came across a very interesting article. "Are you being life-jacked?" This was an interview with Dr Robin Stern. I didn't know what I was reading until I started paying more attention and actually read the article twice. I didn't know who was Dr Robin Stern but I couldn't wait to get back home and Google her.

What is Gaslighting?
In her own words:
"Gaslighting is the systematic attempt by one person to erode another's reality, by telling them that what they are experiencing isn't so - and, the gradual giving up on the part of the other person. Gaslighting takes two - one person who needs to be in control to maintain his sense of self, and the other, who needs the relationship to maintain her sense of self and is willing to acquiesce. The Gaslight Effect happens when you find yourself second guessing your own reality, confused and uncertain of what you think, because you have allowed another to define reality and tell you what you think -- and who you are."

A little Google and there were numerous pages of results. I don't know why, it stuck with me. I couldn't stop myself from wondering if there are victims of gas lighting everywhere. I have particularly tried to make it a point, that people around me don't mould my thoughts to solve their purposes. Reading that piece made me revisit past few years of my life. I was measuring how many times have I felt that people played with my thoughts? Well, to be honest, there were occasions where people - my friends, and closed ones have tried to manipulate my thoughts, made fun of my goals, doubted my sense of decision and doubted my intentions.

It takes some determination to understand your own decisions, and belief in yourself, so that, no one ever gets a chance to manipulate you and to make you doubt your own abilities, to confuse you.

When I travel in the train or bus, and I look at people, it makes me wonder, if they are being gas lighted? Would they ever recognize it? Do they understand what it is? Even if they know how they are feeling, do they know what it is called? Are they doing anything to help themselves? I asked a few questions about this with my close friends and colleagues and just like me, they were ignorant about the term and the problem it defines.

Now, that I know about it, I really plan to buy / borrow the book and read it. Hope to find something useful in it.

Au revoir!

The Sea Restaurant !!

It was a cold winter night, couple-a-days ago and we were expecting a snow storm in New York. The weather forecast couldn't stop us from going out for dinner to Sea.

Sea is a restaurant located at 114 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. I called in to make reservations in advance, to avoid waiting. The operator told me, that there are no reservations, and we could just walk in. By the time we reached there, it had started to snow.

I remember, a few months ago, we went there for dinner, but I was not really in a mood to eat Thai food. Hence, we didn't get the opportunity to enjoy that place.

When I waited at the counter to register my name, I could see the swarm of people around me. I knew there is going to be a long wait. Guess what? I was right. We were told, that it is a 45 minutes wait. However, by the time we could be called, it was almost past an hour and a half. People were coming in even at 10:30 PM and were ready to wait for 1 hour.

I really like the ambiance there, so much so, that it was not hard to wait. The numerous colorful lights, the pool, the statue of Buddha right in the middle of the pool and a small artificial boat in it.

We had asked for a table by the pool. Sure enough, we got it, right beside the Buddha. As soon as we placed our order, the food was on our table. Yes, the service was super fast. The waitress very friendly, and good at suggesting food. I don't know about others, but what I ordered, was good. After a nice dinner, there is nothing else I could ask for but, a nice dessert. And sure enough the 'Fried Banana Spring Rolls with Vanilla Ice cream and cinnamon sticks' were a delight.

The walk back to the car was very sticky and slippery, thanks to the snow. I didn't mind it at all, thanks to the Sea.

Adios!