If at first you don't succeed try, try again!

In the past few years of my life I have done my best to take control of some of my, less enjoyable, characteristics. This process included various types of therapy and self help practices. During this time, I learned something that was enormously helpful to the achievement of my overall goal:

~Human beings have a subconscious drive to repeat that which they have not mastered~

The subconscious mind is very self centered, and wants to fill itself with positive and rewarding experiences. When you think about this on the surface, it almost seems to contradict the statement before it. However, this subconscious drive is so strong, that it is willing to place you in uncomfortable situations, over and over again, just to have a chance at perfection that one time.

Doesn't that put a whole lot into perspective? It's a well known fact that people tend to make the same mistakes more than once. The most common of these mistakes can be seen through the various types of relationships we expose ourselves to. For example, dating a person that has the exact same negative characteristics as the last person you dated. Well, you can stop beating yourself over it because it was your subconscious that put you there! That's right, because you had an unsuccessful relationship with a certain type of person, your subconscious wants you to try it again! Can you think of all the times that we hear that men marry women just like their mothers and women marry men like their fathers? While most of us would deny that this is the case, if you look deep enough, you may just find it to be true. It can be a tricky task, as the subconscious takes pride in masking itself in most situations. That's why they call it the subconscious!

This is not to say that we do not have control over our life's path. It just means that we need to work harder when there is a need for change. In some cases, the situations we find ourselves in can produce very positive effects. We may not enjoy it at the time, but in the end, we benefit from the process. These are usually smaller, less life altering situations that exist in our life for a small period of time, and once they are over, we move on and simply carry with us the overall experience. But then there are those individuals who struggle through life repeating the same pattern and remain there. This is the very reason many people need others to help them cope and handle certain situations. Consider those addicted to drugs, or victims of abuse. These individuals need to make a conscious effort to seek therapy and improve their lives. In cases of addiction and abuse, there are almost always other factors in play; some stronger than others. But throwing in this underlying element of the subconscious certainly doesn't make the process of changing any easier.

The truth is, we all deal with unresolved conflict throughout life. In the end, it's reassuring to know that this only makes us stronger individuals. We are shaped by the events in our lives, negative or positive, and thanks to our unconscious mind, we are driven to master all that is negative. After all, it only wants us to be perfect!

Don't cry because it's over; laugh because it happened

So, I thought I would ease back into my blogging with an entry that will both help you get to know me a little better, and also allow me to reminisce.

If you are reading this blog, then I'm sure you are familiar with it's name. But how did the name "Laughing Seahorse" come to be? Well, like most things in my life, this name has a deeper meaning.

As we all know, the adjective "laughing" goes hand in hand with being happy. If you stop right now, and picture someone in a fit of laughter, you will most likely have a smile on your face. That's because, in most cases, the activity is infectious. Laughter can be associated with one of the most important things we own, our memories. As humans we are very lucky to possess the ability to store memories. Our memories play a big role in shaping our lives.

This leads me to the second word in my blog title, 'Seahorse". I've always been fascinated with these magnificent creatures and I began my love for seahorses back in college. I worked for a professor in the Psychology department studying an area of the brain called the hippocampus. It turns out that the word hippocampus actually means "seahorse" in Greek. It earned this name because it is curved in a manner that resembles a seahorse. This area of the brain is in charge of learning and storing memories. Our studies were geared towards obtaining a better understanding of the disease Alzheimer’s. Most people know that this disease destroys memories due to a deterioration of brain cells. But what most people don't know is that this deterioration occurs mainly in this one area of the brain.

While studying the hippocampus, I simultaneously grew more intrigued with seahorses. Not only does the seahorse symbolize one of the most important areas of the brain, it also has several other meanings. The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed the seahorse was an attribute of the sea god Neptune/Poseidon. As such, the seahorse was considered a symbol of strength. Chinese cultures believe that the seahorse is a type of sea dragon, and they are revered for their power and are thought to be symbols of good luck.

The physical abilities of a seahorse are quite impressive as well. They can wrap their tails around the nearest object in order to anchor themselves in turbulent waters. This demonstrates their ability to persevere, even when faced with the most extreme obstacles. Along with the tail, seahorses have another characteristic that make them quite unique; their eyesight. They have an extremely sharp sense of sight. Both of their eyes move independently which allows them to be very aware of those around them.

I see a lot of myself in the seahorse. I can be strong when I need to be and I possess the ability to weather any kind of storm. Perhaps the most visibal trait the seahorse and I share is awareness. I am a hyper-vigilant person, almost to a fault. I have a feeling for my surroundings at all times and in all situations. This is a defense mechanism built by my subconcious to protect me from harm.

So, there you have it, "The Laughing Seahorse". A name which represents both who I am and what I love to do. Without my "seahorse", I would not be capable of writing the words you are reading at this very moment.