Back under a new name!

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Markv2
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:38 pm
Cars: 2001 Mazda Protege ES 2.0

Back under a new name!

Post by Markv2 »

Hey guys!

I used to be here as 'Gollumn' but I have changed and I just can't use that old name anymore. So, here I am, Mark v.2 (or 2.0 but that sounds so dated), happier smoother and living my life.

Short and sweet update:
Started stick 9 years ago this month
Got crazy frustrated
Got help, but it didn't work
Carlos Thomas at Shifters helped!
Going to a good psychologist out of town helped a tonne! I worked on anxiety and depression and got assessed. Found out I have (mild) NonVerbal Learning Disorder. This can cause issues with spatial awareness and coordination. As well, it seems to involve some abnormalities in the right brain hemisphere, which controls the left side (left foot!) of the body so no wonder footwork pushed me to the brink.

I will admit, I drove high on herb a number of times (not impaired, though some will argue, I know this is very controversial and divisive) because I found that my footwork smoothed out when I had cannabis in my system. I studied cannabis extensively and found it doesn't kill brain cells, it grows them, neurogenesis in certain brain regions. Hey, but so does exercise! Anyway, I worked hard after the assessment to relax, detach, recondition myself emotionally, and try to apply this new knowledge to physical (torso) balance and footwork.

I also started doing things such as:
-going to physiotherapy and working on my posture
-doing deadlifts for posture, as well as pullups and stretching etc for general fitness
As I did this, I found that I stood up straighter, and then got the brainwave to look up and straight ahead (instead of down) while walking up a flight of four steps at work. Up, and down, over and over. I just kept going by feel. Over time, it got easier. I think a life time of looking down at the ground (to see if the ground was safe or flat or if there was debris there?) conditioned me to do this. Looking up has so many benefits, such as projecting more confidence, seeing things farther away (perspective), and just allowing your body to walk as it should and only looking down every now and then if needed.
I noticed this stair work paid off with my foot work. My feet could now feel where the pedals should be coming together more easily, more accurately and instinctively. Not perfect, but it helped.

I watched TVO's Mysteries of the Mind week a few years back, learned lots. Dr Doidge's book the Brain that Changes Itself (neuroplasticity), as well as taking a keen interest in the Arrowsmith School's method of covering one eye, tracing shapes, then the other eye to stimulate the opposite hemisphere. Many times I would do ten shifts with my left eye closed, then switch and do ten more with right eye closed. It wasn't very scientific, but I knew it was helping, and I have been proven right!

Those of you who've read my old posts will sense that I have gone from frustration to enjoyment. I still make little clumsy mistakes here and there, and when I'm tired or stiff, most of my shifts will suffer. But I got to a new place and it feels great. I feel like my soul regrew inside my chest, replacing the excruciating agony in the centre with inner calm and light.

I also relate to the quote from the Matrix "Try to realise, there is no spoon, there is only yourself". :-)

Ahhh.. ok, now that I got that off my chest and you're all up to speed, I am going for a drive!

Oh yes, one more point. I learned a great deal about how Miyamoto Musashi found enlightenment through the sword in ancient Japan. I know it may sound a little outlandish, but the Japanese vehicles are so refined, it is my firm belief now, that the collective wisdom of the samurai and Japanese zen/spirituality have been deliberately crafted into their cars to 'teach the driver' these same principles, through feedback (rough or smoothness), and training (driving practise).
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theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: Back under a new name!

Post by theholycow »

Welcome back. Glad you're doing better with everything!
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
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potownrob
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 7833
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:35 pm
Cars: '17 CX-5 GT
Location: Dutchess County

Re: Back under a new name!

Post by potownrob »

welcome back!! :D for some reason, your re-introduction reminded me of this episode of always sunny:
ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
ClutchDisc
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 755
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:50 pm
Cars: 2009 Mazda 5 2.3L 5MT
Location: Detroit area

Re: Back under a new name!

Post by ClutchDisc »

Welcome back to the forums!
09 Mazda 5 2.3 5-speed manual 171k
11 Subaru Forester auto :( 113k
92 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 5-speed manual 151k
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Squint
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3390
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:44 pm
Location: KY

Re: Back under a new name!

Post by Squint »

Welcome back. Sounds like you're doing well for yourself.

And there is some joke about Aerosmith in there somewhere...
'15 Mazda 3 iSport Hatch 6MT
'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
'14 Giant Escape City 24MT
'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi

For Pony!
jessican
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2015 2:39 am
Cars: Toyota

Re: Back under a new name!

Post by jessican »

Welcome to the forum again dude.
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potownrob
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 7833
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:35 pm
Cars: '17 CX-5 GT
Location: Dutchess County

Re: Back under a new name!

Post by potownrob »

NOOB, what are you doing!?!?!!!! Oh, if you're not a spambot, welcome to the forums 8) :) :lol: :shock:
ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
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