Realizations Inc

©Arlene R. Taylor PhD

We were moving again. Barrels had been hauled up from the basement, boxes carried down from the attic. My brother and I were expected to pitch in and sort and pack. Some of it was fun, some pure drudgery. I was amazed that so many people expressed sympathy toward us for having to move. We took it absolutely for granted, a regular occurrence in the lives of preacher’s kids, and looked upon it as an adventure, in the main. And, although we didn’t realize it at the time, it provided us with plenty of opportunity to practice the art of graceful change.

As I grew older, I realized that many people do not see change as an adventure. They are more comfortable with the known and forget that, almost without exception, the known was once the unknown. As Heraclitus said in 500 B.C., “Nothing endures but change.” Change is life!

Recently I was asked to address this topic with a group of young adults. Discussion was lively! One individual suggested that change was undesirable and that we should strive, even stubbornly, to maintain the status quo. Another believed that while change was necessary at times, it should be orchestrated carefully by someone in charge. Still another thought that change was the spice of life and one couldn’t have enough of it. A fourth added that change wasn’t really the issue; but rather whether or not everyone was comfortable with the change. All these views were expressed with great intensity.

I suggested that one’s approach to change is perhaps related more to innate preference and mind-set than reality. This got us talking about the brain, the study of which I had found fascinating long before former President George Bush declared the ninties to be the decade of the brain.

Some of the young adults were already familiar with the cerebrum, the largest portion of the human brain. The eight lobes of the cerebrum are divided by a natural fissure into the left and right hemispheres. In turn, each hemisphere is divided by another natural fissure, resulting in four divisions. Each possesses its own style of thinking.

Although there may be some overlap, each cerebral section is believed to be responsible for leading different functions. For example, the left frontal lobe enables you to set goals and to make decisions. The three left posterior lobes help you to follow routines accurately and maintain the status quo. The three right posterior lobes help you to create harmony and provide meaning to spiritual experiences. And, yes, the right frontal lobe helps you adapt (change!). In other words, how you think—and whether you relish change or resist it—has its roots in your own personal biochemistry.

Today brain researchers such as Herrmann, Benziger, and Sohn, believe that most people have a brain lead, an innate biochemical preference for processing information in one of the four cerebral divisions over the other three. Initiating or participating in change is likely to be more successful when you understand that your approach to change will likely reflect your own innate preference. The approach others take to change typically reflects their brain lead.

Research by Dr. Richard Haier,of Southern California, has shown that the brain expends less energy when completing tasks that use functions within its biochemical preference. That may be one reason why you tend to procrastinate and drag your feet when facing a task that requires higher expenditures of brain energy.

Review the following mini-descriptions of the four cerebral divisions. You will likely identify more strongly with one or two of them based on your own brain lead.

Simply because you may have an innate tendency to approach change from one of these perspectives, however, does not limit you to that perspective. The four divisions were designed to work together. Consequently, you can choose the way in which you will ultimately respond in any given situation. Furthermore, to a large degree you also choose how much or how little distress you will experience in the process. For example, when you understand that four thinking styles exist, you can learn to avoid some of the foolish controversies spoken of by the Apostle Paul (Titus 3:9).

Pastor Bob unwittingly found himself in the middle of one of those controversies. He told me the story while attending one of my brain seminars. He had become accustomed to delivering his sermons as close to his congregation as possible. Bible in hand, wearing a lavelier microphone, he sometimes left the podium and walked right down among the people. He genuinely wanted to nurture and encourage his flock.

Pastor Bob accepted a call to pastor a large church in another state. The pulpit in his new church was immense, dominating the rostrum. Being rather short of stature, he not only felt dwarfed by the pulpit but totally separated from the congregation. One day, with the help of a couple of deacons, he moved the imposing pulpit to one side of the platform. At the next service he was unprepared for the storm of protest that ensued.

Let’s analyze the complaints:

• Parishioner Joe (brain lead in the left posterior lobes) actually looked stressed as he said, “The pulpit has been in the center of the platform for years and years, ever since I was a little duffer!”

• Derek (brain lead in the left frontal lobe) asked pointedly, “Who gave you permission to move the pulpit?”

• A few (brain lead in the right frontal lobe) thought Pastor Bob’s innovation was a welcome change—but they were definitely in the minority.

• Others (brain lead in the right posterior lobes) were decidedly uncomfortable with the whole situation. In an effort to preserve harmony, they agreed with first one parishioner’s opinion, then with another, and finally went home with splitting headaches.

A church board meeting was called. After three hours of heated discussion, the don’t move the pulpit contingent prevailed. The following week Pastor Bob arrived at church to find the pulpit in its original position and attached firmly to the platform!

Knowing that he really enjoyed preaching eye to eye, I asked Pastor Bob how he planned to solve this dilemma. “I’ll leave the pulpit just where it is,” he said. “That will honor the perspective of the left brainers. But I’ll preach in front of the pulpit some of the time during each service,” he added thoughtfully. “That will give the frontal rights some variety, meet my own preference for connection and, (there was a twinkle in his eye) give the left-brainers a chance to practice adjusting to change.”

Mark Twain would have enjoyed Pastor’s Bob’s solution, I think. Twain’s philosophy was that it isn’t best for all to think alike. Indeed, it is difference of opinion that has created the stimulus for many great and useful inventions.

This was also true in Bible times. A difference of opinion resulted in simplifying the multitudinous rules set out for the Gentile believers, as well as the creation of a second missionary team (Acts 15). Human beings differ so widely in disposition, habits, education, that their ways of looking at things vary. Using current brain terminology, you could say that each individual’s brain lead significantly contributes to this diversity. Indeed, much of the controversy in homes, schools, churches, and work environments results from a lack of understanding that it is helpful for persons of varied temperament to associate together and that harmonious blending is not only desirable but actually possible.

Change is life! Therefore, the question is not, “Will you change,” but rather, “How will you approach the change?” Will you turn a deaf ear or smile politely and say, “Maybe someday?” Will you move toward change only half-heartedly and temporarily? Will you review your options and embrace change consistently when it is of benefit?

To travel the path of personal and spiritual growth, to introduce yourself to healthier and more desirable patterns of behavior, is a challenge. You have to take some risks. Understanding your own individual approach to change can enable you to avoid procrastination on one hand and capricious whim on the other. Approaching change from your own brain lead, and accessing functions from other portions of your brain as needed, can help you to be more successful overall. When change is necessary or beneficial, remember that example is the best teacher and whole brain strategies are the most effective.