Why is true learning rarely comfortable ? (The role of Music and Arts in rewiring our brains ...)

True learning is rarely comfortable. Why ?

According to *neuroplasticity, it is because to our brain, everything that is unknown poses a threat. And because of that discomfort, we might assume that something is not for us. That we should not go there as it doesn't feel good.

By knowing that, we can rewire our brain. Neural networks in our brains have the ability to change (and grow) through reorganization, to function in some way that differs from how it previously functioned.

Convince your brain that unknown is actually exciting. Which in fact, it might be in most of the cases.

Become excitingly curious. Allow yourself to experience new things with wonderment. Look forward to be challenged, as it could bring up hidden potentials in you.

Just like children do, because they don't yet have that 'brake' in their brains, for obvious reasons. Everything is unknown to them and they need to learn in order to grow up.

But growing up does not and should not finish with reaching physical maturity.

Learning should be viewed as a (lifelong) exciting adventure. Especially when it is challenging ! Be open to trying new, challenging things regularly. Interestingly, some lovely things to learn that seem to have a reputation for increasing brain power and its ability to rewire include music and arts.

Let yourself to be be bewildered by the unknown. Enjoy it ! Just like children do :) The whole new world might open up to you, but also the whole new you, with potentials and abilities you never knew you had.

And oh, how attractive and inspiring it is to be around a person who is willing and open to learn and grow, just like a child, open to challenges, changes, and wonders of unknown.

Rewire your brain and dive into unknown with excitement, wonderment and joy !

© Alternative Approach to Music: Inspiring - Healing - Empowering, Xenia Elizabeth Zilli

*Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, is a process that involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain. It is the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections. Neuroplasticity has been proved to exist across all mammalian species. Recent neuroscientific research has confirmed the central role of neural plasticity in human cognition, and highlighted how training and intensive practice can cause such changes (structural and functional).