Feeling Brain Quote by H. Norman Wright
““trigger the same emotional, and resulting chemical, responses in the brain. Instead, the new thought actually creates activity in the neocortex—the thinking part of the brain. Depressive thoughts activate the subcortex, the feeling part of the brain. We have the choice of using either the subcortex (feeling portion) or the neocortex (thinking portion) region of our brain. Remember, your mind will move in the direction of the most current and dominant thought. You can make a thought dominant by saying it over and over again. Even repeatedly saying, “I am depressed” has an effect upon your depression. And when you’re depressed you tend to act in a way that reinforces your depression. You may look depressed. You think defeatist, depressive thoughts. When you’re depressed you’re letting your mind tell you what to feel, think, and do. The author of BrainSwitch Out of Depression suggests””
About This Quote
Source Book: BrainSwitch Out of Depression by H. Norman Wright, 2020
The brain can be guided by either emotional (subcortex) or rational (neocortex) pathways; repeating thoughts makes them dominant, influencing mood and behavior.
In simple terms: Thoughts shape brain activity; repeating them reinforces their power.
Key Takeaway
Choose rational thoughts, repeat them to shift mood.
Themes
mental health
neuroplasticity
self‑talk
behavioral change
Mood
reflective
hopeful
analytical
Type
advice
psychology
self‑help
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal journaling
- mindfulness practice
- coaching
- daily affirmations
Key Concepts
cognitive restructuring
habit formation
brain circuitry
Questions to Reflect On
- What thought could you repeat to empower yourself?
- How can you notice when subcortex dominates?
A Different Perspective
Repeating negative thoughts can entrench depression, making change harder.
![“suggests that we can choose thoughts that will bring us out of depression. Practically anything that is repeated again and again will work. Remember the importance of repetition?[89] It could be a nursery rhyme. Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, I’ve seen the results firsthand. People have kicked…” quote by H. Norman Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c88/h-norman-wright-29195_depression_suggests-that-we-can-choose-thoughts-tha_2681173.jpg)
![“and restart. This time, put in realistic thoughts. Rewind your story and write a new ending. Determine a new outcome.[91]” quote by H. Norman Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe2/h-norman-wright-29195_time_and-restart-this-time-put-in-realistic-t_1206969.jpg)
