What Colour Pen Do You Have?
"What you focus on expands"- Unknown
I heard this story at a seminar around 25 years ago. A therapist had a client who came to her office weekly. Each time the client came into the room he was looking down at the floor like he was down and out. The client was suffering from depression, and the therapist was trying different techniques to help her client.
The therapist decided to do something different one day, she placed a pen on the ground and said to her client. “All I want you to do right now is concentrate, look down at the pen on the floor. The therapist asked. “What do you see?” the client responded, “The pen!” she asked again. “What do you see?” the client responded, “The pen!” she kept asking the same question over and over again until the client said. “The blue pen!”
The therapist asked her client. “Please describe to me what the pen looks like.” The client started describing the pen, the size, colour, shape with more detail. The therapist was astonished at the client’s observation and description of the pen on the floor. The therapist then said to the client. “I want you to look up and around the room for me!” The client looked up and started describing the room with amazing detail. When the client stopped the therapist said to him. “As long as you walk around in life looking down and only seeing a pen which is your thoughts, feelings, emotions, past hursts, anxiety and so much more! That is all you are going to see. By lifting your head up, you will be able to see the world in a totally different perspective!”
How many of us look down at our lives and relive past hurts, traumas, conversations that hurt us? constantly remembering childhood upbringing, school bullying, narcissist people, pain, suffering and always looking at our metaphorical pen on the floor. What would it take to look up describe what else you see in your life right now in detail?
The Position Of Our Eyes are Much More Important Than We Know!
Where we place our eyes is important as they are the closet organ to our brain.
In a lecture theatre with stadium seating, “The troublemakers” often sit at the back, their eyes looking down at the lecturer. This position can make them feel detached or superior, leading to disruptive behaviour like throwing rolled-up paper at people in front rows. Looking down can activate the tactile part of the brain, which is linked to physical sensations and actions. This may trigger an urge to touch or throw objects, explaining why those at the back might get restless and disruptive.
“The dreamers” often sit on the right side of the lecture theatre, looking at the lecturer to their left. Looking to the left activates the right side of the brain, which controls creativity, imagination, holistic thinking and so much more. The right hemisphere processes information visually and emotionally, helping people think outside the box. Right-brained learners tend to prefer visual aids, stories, and feelings over logic or words. Teachers can improve learning by balancing tasks that stimulate both sides of the brain, while combining analytical activities with creative ones to effectively reach more students.
“The Analytical” students typically sit on the left side of the lecture theatre. When they look toward the lecturer, their gaze is directed to the right, which is thought to engage the left hemisphere of the brain. The left side of the brain is responsible for logical thinking, language skills, reasoning, and detailed analysis. These students tend to prefer structured learning environments where facts, numbers, and step-by-step problem-solving are emphasized. They excel at tasks that require critical thinking and verbal or mathematical abilities.
“A Grade Students” often prefer sitting near the front and centre of the lecture theatre. From this position, they naturally shift their gaze between left and right, activating both hemispheres of their brain. This balanced use of both sides helps them combine creative, big-picture thinking with logical and analytical skills. As a result, they can grasp complex concepts deeply while also applying knowledge creatively and flexibly. This integration of brain functions contributes to their strong academic performance and adaptability in learning situations.
Which side of the classroom did you sit?
Let’s look at Music. Music fires up both hemispheres of our brain, we trend to be looking with our eyes forward. Unless you recall a memory where you look up to the left which activates the memory part of the brain or go back to looking down as the music is a great reminder of past events, thoughts, feelings etc. There is so much about music that I will write about it in another blog.
The Zombie Apocalypse Is Here!
Observe people on their mobile phones these days, most people are walking along while looking down and not present to the world around them. We have movies about the zombie apocalypse when we are living through one right now without realising.
Let’s look at another metaphorical pen when you are looking down!
Looking down while walking is frequently associated with sadness, low mood or depression. It can be a sign of withdrawal or low energy. There are the people who feel shy, insecure or lacking confidence might avoid eye contact by looking down as they walk. Sometimes, a person looks down while walking because they are lost in thought or concentrating on something internally. Physical tiredness or mental exhaustion can cause a person to look down as they walk. It can also indicate a desire to avoid attention or interaction with others.
Final Thoughts
Our eyes can strongly determine our moods, memories, thinking, remembering. It’s an underestimated. Once you understand some of its function, choosing to move around in a lecture/seminar, group gathering or experiencing walking on the other side of the footpath, sitting on different sides on public transport can be uncomfortable at first because our brain loves repeated patterns. Check out any discomforts or changes in emotions while experimenting. You can always go back to our routine if you wish, the choice is yours!
It’s about time to stop focussing on the pen and look up to a life you wish to live.
Have a great week
Michael
Website: www.michaelmalacos.com
My Book: https://getbook.at/WhereDoOurMindsGo
"