Center Brained People

                                                                     Yes! Guys can get lost too! There are two types of people in this world: those who can walk into a mall, shop efficiently, and walk straight back out; and then there are others, like me. The last time I visited MegaMall Central , I was convinced I had a solid plan: get a birthday gift for my wife, grab a small toy for my dog, and be home in time for dinner. Easy. Right? But, within ten minutes, I was wandering like a lost explorer in an air-conditioned jungle, clutching a chew-toy and questioning my life choices. The Descent into Disorientation It started innocently enough. I parked near “Entrance C,” which—let’s be honest—means absolutely nothing once you’re inside. Mall entrance labels remind me of hurricane names -   random, unpredicta...

 Left-Loosey/Righty-Tighty is Not All There is to It A Directional Dilemma for Some of Us Last time, I mentioned the phrase: “lefty-loosie, righty-tighty.”  It’s the age-old mnemonic meant to help us remember which way to turn something when we’re trying to loosen or tighten it. Left to loosen, right to tighten. Simple, right? Well… maybe not for everyone. For most people, this handy little rhyme is all they need to change a light bulb, unscrew a jar lid, or attach a hose without incident. But for the directionally challenged among us, left  and right  aren’t always as intuitive as they’re made out to be—especially when you're upside-down, reaching behind a piece of furniture, or working with an object that isn't facing you directly. So, What Exactly is “Lefty-Loosie, Righty-Tighty?” At its core, the phrase refers to the standard threading direction used in most screws, bolts, faucets, bottle caps, and other twistable objects. When you want to tighten ...

 Screwing or Unscrewing?                                               I am undoubtedly, the handyman around my house. From changing a light bulb to hanging a picture frame, to watering the plants that I planted, my watchword is, "If I don't do it, it's not going to be done, so I may as well do it and do it now." The problem is, though, some of these activities really challenge me, because I can never tell which direction to screw or unscrew something. Case in point: a few days ago, my garden hose got crossed-threaded or cross-screwed, somehow, and so the water was spraying in all directions, not from the section that I held in my hand, but from the mouth of the spigot. Now, there are a few possible explanations for this state of affairs, one of them being the fact that as the hose is moved from one point to another, some amount of misalignment can take place. Another ...

What Does the Hippocampus Do?   In the movie, "A Beautiful Mind," the main character grapples with the notion that multiple personalities inhabit his body. No doubt, he suffered from an unamalgamated, unaffiliated hippocampus. Located in the space separating the left and right hemispheres of the brain, the hippocampus plays a lead role in facilitating memory formation and retention, in creating spatial awareness, for maintaining the storage of our experiences, and for regulating our emotions. With a proper functioning hippocampus, we won't forget who we are; we won't forget where we've been, what we said, whom we were with, which way is left, which way is right! The problem is, though, that apparently, very few people have an optimally functioning hippocampus, that will receive, store, retrieve, send and coordinate  impulses  between the left and right hemispheres, or even impulses that it originates on its own.  The protagonist in "A Beautiful Mind" cou...

  How Cultural Differences Can Contribute to Spatial Disorientation                                    Even people who are normally confident with directions can experience disorientation when navigating in unfamiliar cultural settings. The way information is conveyed—whether through landmarks, cardinal points, or descriptive styles—varies significantly across cultures. When travelers encounter navigation systems different from what they’re used to, confusion can arise. Understanding that spatial disorientation may stem from cultural differences—not personal shortcomings—empowers individuals to adopt strategies that make adaptation smoother and more effective.    Landmark-Based vs. Cardinal Direction-Based Navigation Landmark-Based : Some cultures emphasize visual cues—“Turn left at the red house.” Cardinal-Based : Others rely on compass points—north, south, east, west. For exam...

When someone feels a concept is too difficult to grasp, the key is to approach it with patience, persistence, and strategy. Here are five practical steps that can help: 1. Change Your Mindset Adopt a Growth Mindset : Believe that understanding is possible with effort and time. Remind yourself that every expert was once a beginner. Reframe the Problem : Instead of saying, “I can’t understand this,” say, “I haven’t figured this out yet.”   Instead of saying, “I’ll never learn to identify directions,” say, “I haven’t yet figured out directions. But I will… eventually?” 2. Break It Down Simplify : Break the concept into smaller, manageable parts and tackle each one step by step. Find the Basics : Often, confusion arises from missing foundational knowledge. Review the basics to build a stronger understanding. To be able to find your way in your hometown, tackle the smallest tasks first – going to the store or house on your ...