A Letter to the Right Side of My Brain

Dear Brain,

And you know who I'm talking to.  I'm not talking to the analytical, logical, scheming left side of my brain.  No, I'm talking to the carefree, luscious, flirtatious right side of my brain.  You know, the one I've been ignoring for a while.  The one that is inspired to dream and write and take photographs and sing songs.  The one that is intuitive and a bit more trusting.  Now I could never ignore you completely.  I've still allowed you to do some dreaming and I encouraged you to be part of some wonderful artistic collaborations- most notably the production I just finished of La Cage Aux Folles.  But I was not really in the drivers seat on that one.  I was along for the ride and it was a thrilling and stimulating ride.

It I had my druthers I would probably choose to live most of the time with you, my right brain,  in charge.  I would be open to the possibilities and looking for signs from the universe.  I would be in tune with the energy around me.  I would commune more with the birds and the flowers and all God's creations.  I would choose to trust more instead of doubt.

Lately, I've had to do a lot of work with my left brain in charge.  I've had to become deeply analytical and focused on the "data".  This is no doubt useful practice.  It's not unlike the discipline required to get through those "required" courses in school.  I like to think that I can buckle down when I need to and focus and deliver information the way my colleagues need to get it.  When I invite my left brain to be in charge, I look to the data first.  I look for patterns and I look for validation.  But the most surprising thing has begun to happen.  I have found myself looking to the data, only to confirm what I had already figured out using my highly attuned emotional intelligence and intuition.  Go figure.

I have learned the important lesson that certain people need to get information in certain ways and in order to convince them of your point of view, you need to deliver the information in a way that they can understand and relate to.  Oh, would that the world would just sign on to my amazing intuitive powers and believe me without the dashboards and spreadsheets.  I know this probably sounds fairly traitorous to those who live for the data.  But remember, this is a letter to the right side of my brain.

Let's dream for a minute or two.  Remember that musical you were working on a few years ago? The one that has been sitting on the shelf waiting to be brushed off and explored again?  What about those book ideas that were floating around inside for a year or so.  What about the idea of creating a personal board of directors and writing about it?  I'm betting that there have been threads of ideas that have been percolating inside but without being invited into the light, they have stayed fairly hidden away.   Remember how much fun you had making those  beautiful wind chimes out of driftwood and wire and beads?  What about the "where have you been for the last 20 years project"? The one where you were going to connect with so many of the fabulous and inspiring people you've met along the way and hear where their lives has taken them and what they have learned along the way.  That's probably another idea that could end up in a book, or a blog, or a web series.

HA!  Look at you brain.  You're getting kind of excited.  I can feel your energy starting to bubble a bit.  You're beginning to step out a little and throw out your arms and your chest and smile at the universe. I'm not sure that I can completely put you in charge.  No, that might be asking too much. But I am inviting you to step into the light.  I am encouraging you to assert yourself a bit more.  If you want to play the piano and perhaps write a song, don't hold back.  You can do it.  I'm giving you permission.  No, I'm insisting.  Maybe we'll even go back to the desert in August to Burning Man.  Now that'll help you break out.  Imagine the possibilities.

Your devoted body and soul.