It's International Hug Your Lizard Day

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We all have a lizard.

More specifically, we all have a 'lizard brain'.

It's hidden deep down inside our skulls. It's the part of our brain that tells us when to feel scared, or when to run.

Fight, flight or freeze.

It has spent centuries protecting humans. Back at the very start of things, it prevented us from standing there like idiots when a bear walked up to our cave.

It saved our lives, many times.

Every time we faced physical danger, from fires to bears to earthquakes, it would jolt us, tell us we had to haul a## out of there.

That part of our brain has been there for centuries, and it has served us well.

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However, the lizard brain, while being perfectly competent at saving us from big scary bears, can be a major problem in the modern age.

That's because, thankfully, most of us are not exposed to physcial danger on a regular basis. Most of us are lucky in that respect.

This makes the lizard brain a bit of a burden, as it continues to register certain situations as dangerous, when in fact they are not.

The lizard brain still wants to feel useful, even in the 21st century, so it 'finds' danger and alerts us to it. Then, it causes us to fight, flight or freeze.

No bears though. Or earthquakes.

Instead, it works on a more subtle level. If we feel even slightly uncomfortable or embarrassed, the lizard brain jumps into action. It tells us to run away, to avoid.

It's dangerous. You can't be safe, it tells us.

The lizard brain is lazy. It likes comfort and security. It feels that extra effort only results in exposure and even more discomfort.

Why come out from under that rock?

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We have a new set of fears these days. The human race has evolved.

We fear embarrassment.

We fear effort.

We fear success.

All these things make us feel uncomfortable, fearful.

And so the lizard brain kicks into gear and pulls us away. Or it demands inaction (best not to do anything and hope it goes away).

The result? We're anxious, fearful and always going to our default mode of Netflix and junk food.

I'm serious.

This is part of your brain.

Hug your lizard

Sit for a moment.

Dig deep. Go into yourself. Go deep down into your mind.

Right down those stairs. There you go.

In the cellar of your mind, the Amygdala, is your lizard.

There he is. See him?

He's big and ugly, but he loves you. He would never harm you.

He's only ever tried to keep you safe.

Close your eyes, and touch him.

Hug him.

Reassure him.

It's okay.

I'm safe.

Life isn't worth living unless you work with me.

All these big scary things I'm trying to do are very much worth doing.

Otherwise, I may as well be dead.

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Our fears are no longer the same.

We no longer have to fear bears, sabre tooth tigers or dinosaurs (say what you want, I believe we met those things back then on the daily).

Our fears are now about discomfort, embarrassment and not meeting expectations.

F**k that.

Tell your lizard you're ready.

Tell him you still want him, because he's useful.

He's raw energy.

Work with him.

Don't let him think you're in danger when all you're trying to do isimprove yourself and your situation.

Instead, tell him it's healthy, and that facing these things helps you grow.

Tell him you're both going to experience pleasure and fulfillment like you've never known.

He'll change his ways soon enough.

Oh, and by the way…

Happy International Hug Your Lizard Day.

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