Caroline Leaf - Who switched off my brain?: controlling toxic thoughts and emotions

WHO SWITCHED OFF

MY
BRAIN ?

controlling toxic thoughts and emotions

A Metacog is a way of seeing your thoughts on paper, and evaluating the way you think and what you think about. It helps detox your thought life by allowing you to follow your thought patterns. Journaling in this way helps you gain full understanding of the situation you are reflecting over.

Its really simple; you group patterns that radiate from a central point. Each pattern linked to the central point creates a branch. Dont limit yourself to just writing in straight lines. Then continue to develop each of the branches by linking more detailed patterns. As you focus on the information, if there are word associations or groupings that seem to naturally flow together, group those on a page. Draw a picture or diagram to go along with that thought expression. Add color or texture. The process can continue until you have explored every nuance of your thought.

AN EXAMPLE OF A METACOG

For further information please contact

Dr. Caroline Leaf by visiting www.drleaf.net

or write to the office of Dr. Leaf.

2140 E Southlake Blvd.

Suite L #809

Southlake, TX 76092

Distributed by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
printed in the United States of America.

Copyright 2009 by Caroline Leaf

Design: Inprov, Ltd.

Licensed by: Dr. Caroline Leaf

Published by: Inprov, Ltd.

ISBN: 978-0-9819567-2-5

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.

Scripture references from New King James Version of the Bible, unless otherwise noted.

Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The information and solutions offered in this book are intended to serve as guidelines for managing toxic thoughts, emotions and bodies. Please discuss specific symptoms and medical conditions with your doctor.

Inprov, Ltd. with licensing permission from Switch On Your Brain USA LP

DEDICATION

To Jesus Christ:
My Lord and Savior, my source of inspiration and strength

To my husband, Mac:
My ever-present loving support, you are an outstanding example of controlling toxic thoughts and emotions

To my children:
Jessica, Dominique, Jeffrey-John and Alexandria, you are my absolute joy and a complete guide to detoxing

ENDORSEMENTS

Thank God for Dr. Leaf who is able to give such clarity to the complex subject of our brain and how we think, truly helping us understand how our thoughts impact our outlook on life and affect our physical body as well. Who Switched Off My Brain? is fascinating reading with insight into how changing your thinking will change your emotions, your health and, ultimately, your life! - James Robison

I have made extensive use of Dr. Leafs insightful book, Who Switched Off My Brain?: Toxic Thoughts, Emotions and Bodies, in achieving better outcomes in my patients. - Dr. Sterna Franzsen, MD

Dr Caroline Leafs gift is explaining the mind-body connection in understandable terms. I enjoyed this book as a medical doctor, neuroscientist and as a person seeking optimal health in spirit, soul and body. My advice to anyone reading this book is to digest it, meditate on it and apply it. - Dr. Peter Amua-Quarshie, MD

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive, and I have always stepped out in faith and believed that. I am so grateful to Dr. Caroline Leaf, because I now understand how science lines up with the effectiveness of daily principles God has laid out for us in His Word. Who Switched Off My Brain? has practical applications for detoxing our thought life and important keys for each of us to break free from our hurts, habits and hang-ups. - Marilyn Hickey

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR

This is such an exciting time!

As scientists, we now understand so much more about how our thoughts affect our emotions and bodies. Because we can see clearly how brain science lines up with Scripture, we can also start breaking the chains of toxic thinking in a dynamic way, proving that your mind can be renewed, toxic thoughts and emotions can be swept away, and your brain really can be switched on.

When the first edition of Who Switched Off My Brain? was published in South Africa, I was completely unprepared for the overwhelming response. As I started to receive letters and emails from people who found freedom from their past and were stepping confidently into wholeness in their thinking, learning, and emotions, I began to realize that people from every age group and every part of the world were seeking something similar - a way to break unhealthy thought patterns. The desire for freedom from toxic thinking is universal.

Thats why Im so passionate about this expanded edition of Who Switched Off My Brain?. You really can overcome toxic thinking and its effects. You really can renew and refresh your mind. Not only does Scripture uphold this principle, but science proves when we work with how our brains are wired, lasting, life-giving change really is possible.

As we go on this journey of understanding the science of thought by breaking toxic thinking in twelve areas of our lives, it is my hope that you find freedom.

It is also important to recognize the necessity of consulting a medical professional for comprehensive care, especially if you are experiencing any serious medical issues. In no way do I want this book to substitute for the care of a medical professional.

I believe everyone can find freedom in their thought lives, and because of this, I have tried to take complex science and bring it to life in an easy-to-understand way. Brain research and the science of thought and communication are very broad fields, and this book provides an overview, a window into the incredible world of the mind, instead of a full technical and neurobiological survey. For this reason, I have compiled a list at the end of this book with some additional resources that I have used for my own research over the years, should you wish to continue studying this on your own.

Love,
Dr. Caroline Leaf

PART ONE
SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN!

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (The Message)

Do you ever feel like your brain has just been switched off? Have you ever felt discouraged, unfocused or overwhelmed? Are there unhealthy patterns in your life or your family that you just cant seem to break?

Thankfully, we are living in a time of revolution. We now have a better understanding than ever before of how our thoughts affect our emotions and bodies. We can see clearly how brain science lines up with Scripture - that your mind can be renewed, that toxic thoughts and emotions can be swept away and that your brain really can be switched on.