--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our brains have the ability to reorganize…" description: "\"Our brains have the ability to reorganize themselves by forming new neural connections throughout our lives. This ability is called neuroplasticity.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/elizabeth-thornton-23967_ability_our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganiz_227748.jpg" --- # Our brains have the ability to reorganize themselves by… ![“Our brains have the ability to reorganize themselves by forming new neural connections throughout our lives. This ability is called neuroplasticity.” quote by Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/elizabeth-thornton-23967_ability_our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganiz_227748.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/elizabeth-thornton-23967_ability_our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganiz_227748.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/elizabeth-thornton-23967_ability_our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganiz_227748.jpg) > “Our brains have the ability to reorganize themselves by forming new neural connections throughout our lives. This ability is called neuroplasticity.” [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The brain can rewire itself by creating new connections throughout life, a process known as neuroplasticity. **In simple terms:** Brain can form new connections at any age. Key Takeaway Embrace learning to reshape your mind. Themes neuroscience growth adaptability Mood curious optimistic Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - education - rehabilitation - skill acquisition - mental health - aging Key Concepts neuroplasticity brain plasticity Questions to Reflect On - How can you foster brain change daily? - What habits hinder neural growth? A Different Perspective Neuroplasticity may be limited by genetics or severe injury. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Forming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forming/) ## Related quotes > [Innate mechanisms endow the visual system with highly specific connections, but visual experience early in life is necessary for their maintenance and full development.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torsten-wiesel/innate-mechanisms-endow-the-visual-system-with-highly-specific/) [Torsten Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torsten-wiesel/) > [“There are an estimated 100 billion neurons residing inside the skull with an exponential amount of neural connections”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/there-are-an-estimated-100-billion-neurons-residing-inside-the-skull/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [The neurochemistry of the brain is astonishingly busy, the circuitry of a machine more wonderful than any devised by humans. But there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-neurochemistry-of-the-brain-is-astonishingly-busy-the-circuitry/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“hand writing has been shown to form stronger neural connections.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-april/hand-writing-has-been-shown-to-form-stronger-neural-connections/) [Jennifer April](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-april/) > [The key to transforming mental models is to interrupt the automatic responses that are driven by the old model and respond differently based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/the-key-to-transforming-mental-models-is-to-interrupt-the-automatic/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [“There's a psychologist called Mary & Diamond who at Brooklyn in California, in the 80s studied rats. And they took rats at different ages.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/there-s-a-psychologist-called-mary-diamond-who-at-brooklyn-in/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [“An influx of new research explores how our brains do continue to change and how our very thoughts impact those changes. This natural tendency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-hallis/an-influx-of-new-research-explores-how-our-brains-do-continue-to/) [Tina Hallis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-hallis/) > [We learn best with focused attention. As we focus on what we're learning, the brain maps that information on what we already know making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/we-learn-best-with-focused-attention-as-we-focus-on-what-we-re/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [It used to be thought that you stopped making new neural connections in your youth and from then on your brain was fixed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-perry/it-used-to-be-thought-that-you-stopped-making-new-neural-connections/) [Philippa Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-perry/) > [If we keep practicing mental skills it is likely we can strengthen neural connections and make new connections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-perry/if-we-keep-practicing-mental-skills-it-is-likely-we-can-strengthen/) [Philippa Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-perry/) > [Do you know that every time you think new neural connections are made in brain? In this world there is limit to everything the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thesaintsays/do-you-know-that-every-time-you-think-new-neural-connections-are-made/) [TheSaintsays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thesaintsays/) > [“Interviewer: The other day, when we first talked, you said that you felt that, when you were writing, you were often following invisible patterns.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-stone/interviewer-the-other-day-when-we-first-talked-you-said-that-you-felt/) [Ruth Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-stone/) > [The skin is forming because of proteins, just like if you cook milk or anything else that's got a coagulant protein in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alton-brown/the-skin-is-forming-because-of-proteins-just-like-if-you-cook-milk-or/) [Alton Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alton-brown/) > [The band Grizzly Bear, I think they're excellent. There's a beauty and a musicality there that I wish would have been in vogue in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-reznor/the-band-grizzly-bear-i-think-they-re-excellent-there-s-a-beauty-and/) [Trent Reznor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-reznor/) > [ “\[N\]ew technology enables new kinds of group-forming.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-shirky/n-ew-technology-enables-new-kinds-of-group-forming/) [Clay Shirky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-shirky/) ## More by Elizabeth Thornton > [We perceive through our senses a person, a situation or an event, and in an instant, we project our mental models - our fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/we-perceive-through-our-senses-a-person-a-situation-or-an-event-and/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [The truth is many of us have been socialized to think that if we are not the very best, if we are not at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/the-truth-is-many-of-us-have-been-socialized-to-think-that-if-we-are/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [To be an effective leader and make sound decisions, you must be able to gather data by seeking out diverse perspectives and be willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/to-be-an-effective-leader-and-make-sound-decisions-you-must-be-able/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [We are not a victim of our emotions or thoughts. We can understand our triggers and use them as tools to help us respond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/we-are-not-a-victim-of-our-emotions-or-thoughts-we-can-understand-our/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [When we can see things as they are, without projecting our mental models and fears, we are being objective. When we can understand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/when-we-can-see-things-as-they-are-without-projecting-our-mental/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [The key to creating the mental space before responding is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a way of being present: paying attention to and accepting what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/the-key-to-creating-the-mental-space-before-responding-is-mindfulness/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [Objective leaders identify their unproductive mental models and tweak them for greater effectiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/objective-leaders-identify-their-unproductive-mental-models-and-tweak/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [The key to transforming mental models is to interrupt the automatic responses that are driven by the old model and respond differently based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/the-key-to-transforming-mental-models-is-to-interrupt-the-automatic/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [Sometimes our childhood experiences are emotionally intense, which can create strong mental models. These experiences and our assumptions about them are then reinforced in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/sometimes-our-childhood-experiences-are-emotionally-intense-which-can/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [There are times when we are just not very kind to ourselves. The problem with our negative thoughts is that the latest science has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/there-are-times-when-we-are-just-not-very-kind-to-ourselves-the/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [We all have mental models: the lens through which we see the world that drive our responses to everything we experience. Being aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/we-all-have-mental-models-the-lens-through-which-we-see-the-world/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [To be an objective leader means aligning your models with the needs of the organization. There is no question anymore that collaboration, seeking out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/to-be-an-objective-leader-means-aligning-your-models-with-the-needs/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [New Year's Resolutions come and go. Some we keep, some we don't. In order to make lasting changes in our lives, we must first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/new-year-s-resolutions-come-and-go-some-we-keep-some-we-don-t-in/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [One of the most powerful transformational catalysts is knowledge, new information, or logic that defies old mental models and ways of thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/one-of-the-most-powerful-transformational-catalysts-is-knowledge-new/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [Most of us know when we are about to react emotionally. We can feel it. Often there is a brief warning before the amygdala…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/most-of-us-know-when-we-are-about-to-react-emotionally-we-can-feel-it/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) [Explore all 25 Elizabeth Thornton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our brains have the ability to reorganize themselves by forming new neural connections throughout our lives. This ability is called neuroplasticity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elizabeth Thornton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganize-themselves-by-forming-new/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganize-themselves-by-forming-new/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/elizabeth-thornton-23967_ability_our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganiz_227748.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/elizabeth-thornton-23967_ability_our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganiz_227748.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/elizabeth-thornton-23967_ability_our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganiz_227748.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our brains have the ability to reorganize themselves by forming new neural connections throughout our lives…” — Elizabeth Thornton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Elizabeth Thornton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our brains have the ability to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganize-themselves-by-forming-new/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/our-brains-have-the-ability-to-reorganize-themselves-by-forming-new/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```