Let us consider the organ at the top of our head for a moment. It has an interesting shape. Our hair grows from it. Our faces and ears are stuck onto it. It is held upright by our neck. It can turn sideways, but not 360 degrees. It enables us to nod or shake our heads. It is fairly hard. If hit or bumped, it is painful. Sometimes it seems to have aches and pains that can last for days with no apparent reason.

The brain is about 1300-1400 cubic centimeters in volume. The average brain is the size of a small head of cauliflower or cantaloupe. It is wrinkled like a walnut. It appears pink because of the blood flowing through it, but it feels like a ripe avocado or soggy grapefruit.

Your brain uses 20% of your body's energy, but it makes up only 2% of your body's weight. Your brain generates 25 watts of power while you're awake - enough to illuminate a small light bulb.

Our brains are amazing computers. These computers have huge capacity and storage space, but very limited working memory. The average person’s short term memory can only hold approximately 7 items at a time. If any process needs to be applied to those 7 items the number gets reduced to 4. When trying to make a decision between items the optimum number is 2.

That is why the brain hardwires patterns and pushes it into long term memory. Think of activities like bicycle riding that one is able to pick up easily after years of not doing it. Our hardwiring also drives our perception as it attempts to draw new information into the frame of reference that is already there. The good and bad news is that it is extremely hard to deconstruct hardwiring. It is much easier to create new wiring.

Just think of quitting a habit. To simply stop doing something or thinking something is almost impossible. Just say to yourself “Don’t think of a bright red butterfly. Of course you have to think of one to be able to tell yourself not to think of it. The harder you try, the less successful you will be. It is much better to create new habits to fill the place of the old ones so that no void is left. Then, as you pay attention to the new habit, and repeat the action, it will become automatic and a new habit is formed. Doing it this way is the key to success.

Just think of a network of roads with some junctions in between that look almost like strands of spaghetti that needs to be unraveled. Sometimes even my satellite navigation system gets confused. Much in the same way the brain is a connection phenomenon. It is made up of billions of neurons, but the brain has no knowledge until connections are made between the neurons. Those neural pathways form the basis of what we know and what we are.

Our brain emulates one of the first forms of business – it a partnership. Both hemispheres work in perfect harmony. Each side contributes different kinds of skills like analysis or synthesis to share the load and increase overall efficiency. To achieve your full potential it is important to develop both sides of the brain equally.

How can we be sure about all these facts when the brain is so complex to study? Modern brain research has made it possible to study the brain in action. A functional magnetic resonance imaging captures pictures of parts of the brain to which blood flows while executing a particular task like humming a tune or listening to a joke or looking at an image. This research is shedding new light on and challenging many theories about the brain.

Such a phenomenal part of your body certainly needs to be taken care of. I want to urge you to pay some thought to maintaining your own brain. In short use it, feed it and let it rest.

Use your brain - Challenge your brain by providing enrichment and stimulation. The key is to find your particular challenge and that may simply be exposure to diversity or trying to understand different points of view. No two brains are alike. What stimulates your brain will not stimulate your neighbors and vice versa.

The term “brain fitness” is increasing in popularity. The more scientists learn about the brain, the more they realize it is not enough to keep our bodies in good shape. Our brains need to go to the gym too. Research is proving that brain exercising stops brain related illnesses in old age. There are many types of brain teasers available on the web and even your phone offering to improve your memory, attention, or any other cognitive skills.

Feed your brain - Certain foods are labeled brain food as it is thought that they may enhance the health of the brain and aid thinking processes. The brain is very hungry and it demands a constant supply of glucose such as found in fruit, vegetables and grains. Yes, you might even be persuaded to grab that oatmeal for breakfast if you understand that carbohydrates get broken down into glucose and that your frontal cortex needs it to function optimally. Next time you pass by on breakfast give your brain some thought and not just your stomach.

Rest your brain - Sleep is extremely beneficial to your physical and mental health. Thanks to extensive research, we know that:

• your brain remains active while you’re sleeping, and
• long term memory is aided by getting enough rest.

If you are constantly forgetful, you might not have an incurable disease, but rather need more hours in dreamland.