When the heart and mind are in conflict over a decision, allow the gut to tip the scales as a deciding vote.
There are three neural centers in the body. While the one in the brain is presumably in control, scientists know the other two in the heart and gut also play heavily in behavioral decisions. Some people can intensely feel these other two clusters, making it seem like there are really three "brains" in the body. So, if it ever feels like two are at odds with each other, the third can act as a "majority rules" deciding factor. The brain may deal more in logic than the others, but logic doesn't see everything. The gut is a bit more rational than the heart but falls far short of the brain. Nonetheless, when we have a natural instinct for the right decision, it holds a heavy voice. Likewise, in matters of passion and love the heart reign supreme, however it can be mediated by the gut and brain.
Analyzing some of my major life decisions, we can see this dynamic in action. Recently one included my career. My heart wanted to study geography while my brain told me to stick with accounting. Unconsciously, it was my gut that tipped the decision in favor of geography, though I elected to keep my prospects in accounting open.
When I met my wife, I was involved with another girl. The other girl had my gut; instinctively I wanted to be with her more, even though my heart wanted my wife and my brain told me she was the safer choice. So, it was 2-1 in favor of my wife, again an unconscious decision where the three neural centers jostled for control.
There were plenty of times when I only listened to one of these and got in trouble. Early in college, I listened to my brain and not my heart or gut, which would have told me to stick with meteorology. When I picked bookkeeping, it was also my brain making the call and not the others. The bookkeeping certification I earned was a total dead end. In ten years. I have only gotten as far as Accounts Receivable, which can be done with a mere high school diploma.
When we decided to stay here instead of move to Thailand, my gut and brain overruled my heart, which one of my wife to Feel at home so badly. When I decided to have children, the heart overruled the brain, which was trying to convince me we couldn't afford it.
The worst decision I ever made, a letter written in high school, was done by the gut, much to the dismay of my heart and brain. I feel like many crimes are committed by the gut alone, so it is possibly the most dangerous when not put in check. Also, dating Jewelry was a heart only decision And we know how that ended.
This fascinating analysis means that life might be simpler than it seems. Inside, we have all these voices we need to guide us. Learning how to listen to them by compromise is the key to success.
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