All you have to do to be thankful not to have to think of each motion you make is to watch a young child learning to navigate a fork or spoon to reach the mouth without dumping the contents. One fist clutches the handle as he tries to get food in place. Her eyes almost cross as she watches how it comes up. Along the way the utensil tips. Spaghetti (usually) falls, and the alternate hand picks up what was spilled to complete the feeding process. Life every day is easier by not having to plan again how to brush our teeth, shave a face, or even pick up feet to walk. Those of us who know how to keyboard may have an advantage over hunt and peck, yet both can develop enough skill to make the task easier A purpose existed in learning the thumb under motion for scales on the piano and one doesn’t have to create new ways to fold towels taken from the dryer.
I think of two stories of mind programming muscles. Husband David had West Nile Virus. After three weeks of missing most of the world, rehab began reteaching some skills. The therapist sat him on the edge of the bed, crossed a foot over the opposite knee, put on a real shoe, and said, ‘Tie it.” Time after time it didn’t happen. He was shaking his head in frustration when my mind flashed a picture of what he used to do every morning. “He never picked up his foot to tie the shoe. He kept it on the floor and leaned over.” She moved David to a chair and gave the same command. He reached down without hesitation, tied the shoe, and looked up beaming. Why had we had ever doubted him?
The other story comes from an allusion, a literary term defining the world knowledge all should know, but I didn’t. I was trying to explain to 8th graders that if they would follow a certain sequence understanding a sentence would be easier. An I get it voice said, “Like wax on, wax off.” Now I didn’t get it. “Haven’t you seen Karate Kid, Mrs. Smith.” I did that very night and gave him 10 extra points the next day. The motion with opposite hands became routine and could be called up automatically when needed. Think of that the next time you slice a banana on cereal while solving a morning problem for some age child.
In Spanish, one doesn’t do exercise, one makes it. I will make myself learn the motion for tying a square knot, a granny knot, and a slip knot and when to choose each. The brain has a muscle that helps give auto default to behavior choices. A teen was complimented for being so cheerful. “I work on it.” If our go to setting is be kind, be thoughtful, be helpful, then that selection happens as if the send button has been pushed. In English we do say make good decisions. Do or make, both build muscle memories.
Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and knees. Hebrews 12:12
Be kind and compassionate to one another. Ephesians 4:32
Let Me Tell Ya 