The human brain is a wonder of the universe, but our understanding of it can seem contradictory, says Steven Jay Fogel, author of the new book Your Mind Is What Your Brain Does for a Living.

"On the one hand, we're often told of those crucial years that our brain develops in childhood, when we're rapidly progressing in development of our language and other skills, and our preadolescent and teenage years, when our brains undergo a sort of second Big Bang of learning," says Fogel, (www.StevenJayFogel.com).

"But although it may seem that the brain is pretty much set by adulthood, it remains malleable throughout adulthood; it continues to change as we learn and adapt."

Most of us are unaware that elements of our inner child's development are constantly tugging atus, and we don't have a clue that it's happening, he says. In Jungian therapy there's a concept called the dark side, or shadow side, the place in our unconscious to which certain feelings and thoughts are banished because they don't support our image of ourselves, he says.

"That is our inner child responding to the emotional pain we experienced and interpreted with the limited understanding we had when we were very young. It continues to steer our reactions and behavior as adults, often in inappropriate ways," Fogel says.

Awareness creates an opportunity for change. Fogel reviews how our adult brain can take command of the inner child.

•  Recognize the elements of your self identity that keep you trapped. Our identity - how we want the world to see us - develops, in part, as a response to avoiding pain. Our identity may change from one situation to another (in the same way a chameleon changes its body color to match its surroundings) as we slip on the persona we believe is expected in a particular environment or social setting. This automatic behavior is the opposite of making mindful choices, and it robs us of the joy of living in the moment and inhibits spontaneity.

•  Be aware of when you're acting. Many of us live our lives as though we're playing parts in various movies, navigating different storylines every day. You may be the righteous Clint Eastwood manager at work and then shift into the town drunk during happy hour, and later the loving husband and father during brunch the following weekend morning. When you're playing these roles, you're not in the present.

•  Be skeptical of what the voice in your head may tell you. It's not easy to recognize and quiet the mental chatter associated with the different roles we play. We've become so accustomed to the voice in our head, that we don't realize its messages are programmed - and not necessarily the truth. Is your voice telling you to feel guilty? Ashamed? Angry? Is that rational? If not, it may be your inner child acting out of a childlike fear.

"Instead of simply responding to what we're hardwired to think and react, we can hear, in mindful repose, those promptings as simply chatter," Fogel says. "When you're mindful, the inner child's chatter can be seen for what it is, and you will be free to take a more mature directionin your day-to-day living."

About Steven Jay Fogel

Steven Jay Fogel is a longtime student of human behavior and development; he has studied with psychologists, educators, and rabbinical scholars. Your Mind Is What Your Brain Does for a Living, (Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2014), is his third book. He is also the author of My Mind Is Not Always My Friend: A Guide for How to Not Get in Your Own Way (Fresh River Press, 2010) and The Yes-I-Can Guide to Mastering Real Estate (Times Books-Random House). For decades he has been an active participant in the human potential movement, inspiring and mentoring others to seek their true selves. Fogel is a principal and cofounder of Westwood Financial Corp., one of the largest owner-operators of retail properties in the United States. He is a licensed real estate broker and past chairman of the California Arts Council.

Rock Island, IL: With more than 86 events on the summer schedule, reading "goes to the dogs and cats" at Rock Island Public Libraries with Paws to Read Summer Reading contests, education and fun for all ages from June 2 to August 2.

To kick off summer in a big way, the Rock Island Library will host the Paws to Read Summer Reading Carnival from noon to 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 7. Activities include summer reading registration and prizes, hourly prize drawings, a children's bounce house, games, mascot visits, free face painting, magic, chalk art, and special presentations, including a K-9 police demo, and a costumed pet parade.

Entries are being accepted now for the Paws to Read pet parade. The costumed pet parade is open to any pet with paws that can walk on a leash or be carried in a secure carrier. Entry forms are available at Rock Island Public Libraries, or via the library website at the Summer@ Your Library menu. Pets and their owners earn prizes for best reading theme, best pet-owner match and most original entry. Entries should be returned to Rock Island Libraries by May 31.

Parents of school-age children can also enroll their children now in free six-week long summer education programs that start the week of June 9 at the Main Library:

·         Paws for Drama, for grades 4 to 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays;

·         Paws for Art, for grades 3 to 7, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Tuesdays, and

·         Paws for Math, grades 2 and up, from 3:15 to 5:15 pm on Tuesdays.

Registration is required. To sign up, call the Children's Room at 309-732-7360. Paws for Art and Paws for Drama are sponsored by the Geifman Memorial of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation.

Registration and entry forms for the library's summer reading contests for children, adults and teens will be available starting June 2. The first 500 people who register will receive a prize. Beyond free summer fun, Rock Island Library events help prevent summer learning loss. Free educational activities for children and families range from weekly storytimes and reading with therapy dogs to special music performances, "Mad Science" and "Reptile Experience" events. According to national research, students without access to summer learning score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer, and may lose up to two months of grade level math computation skills. Summer reading also helps students maintain vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Summer events also include a June 4  "The Fault in Our Stars" celebration for teens and adults, Teen Robot Building, Mini-Golf and Survival Day events for ages 12 to 18, and lifelong learning events, including a June 27 late-night Star Gazing program for ages 12 and older, technology topics, and presentations on dog obedience, native mammals, and more.

For more information about Rock Island Summer Reading, visit any Rock Island Main, 30/31 or Southwest Branches, go to www.rockislandlibrary.org call 309-732-READ (7323.)

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

Congressman asks Navy Secretary for full review of Chaplain Aloysius Schmitt's records, after heroic efforts aboard USS Oklahoma

Washington, D.C. - During the attack on Pearl Harbor, while attempting to evacuate those aboard the USS Oklahoma, Dubuque-area Chaplain Aloysius Schmitt told those trying to pull him to safety, 'Please let go of me, and may God bless you all'. Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) is today asking the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus for a full-review of Chaplain Schmitt's records with the belief that his service and sacrifice make him eligible for some of the Navy's highest awards for valor.

"It's never too late to do the right thing," Braley said. "The actions Chaplain Schmitt took that day?and the lives he saved?continue to have a positive effect on Iowa and our nation, so it's only right that we ensure his sacrifice is honored to the fullest extent."

Schmitt, the first Chaplain of any faith killed in World War II, was aboard the USS Oklahoma as Japanese aircraft launched their assault on Pearl Harbor. While he was ministering to the dying and wounded in the ship's sick bay, the Oklahoma was struck by a torpedo causing the ship to capsize. Rather than evacuate the badly damaged ship, Schmitt remained on board, repeatedly directing others to safety before the Oklahoma sank.

Braley is asking the Navy to review Schmitt's records to see if he qualified for awards for valor, the criteria for which include actions taken at great danger and at great personal risk. Braley's letter details several other individuals aboard the Oklahoma that received awards for valor, including the Medal of Honor.

"The United States of America, the state of Iowa, and the residents of Dubuque are eternally grateful for the sacrifice made by this brave man," Braley wrote.

A copy of Braley's letter is available below:

April 30, 2014

The Honorable Ray Mabus

Secretary of the Navy

1200 Navy Pentagon

Washington, DC 20305-1000

Dear Secretary Mabus,

I am writing to you today on behalf of the community of Dubuque, Iowa regarding the service of Chaplain Aloysius Schmitt. He was the first Chaplain of any faith killed during World War II. On the morning of December 7, 1941, Chaplain Schmitt was aboard the USS Oklahoma as Japanese aircraft launched their assault on Pearl Harbor. While he was ministering to the dying and wounded in the ship's sick bay, the Oklahoma was struck by a torpedo causing the ship to capsize.

Chaplain Schmitt, along with several other sailors, was forced to move to a compartment where only a small porthole offered a method of evacuation from the incoming water. With no regard for his own safety, Chaplain Schmitt helped these men escape, and only after all other personnel had exited, did he try to exit himself. Struggling to get through the porthole, he realized that others had found their way into the compartment. Knowing that time was short, he directed these sailors to escape ahead of himself. As the water continued to rise, the sailors urged him to save himself yet Chaplain Schmitt replied only with "Please let go of me, and may God bless you all."

I have heard from many of my constituents regarding this powerful sacrifice and find Chaplain Schmitt's actions worthy of additional acknowledgment. Given the heroic nature of his actions, many in the Dubuque community have felt that he deserves greater recognition in the form of a valorous combat award.

Chaplain Schmitt's sacrifice was not the only one of its kind that day. Ensign Frank O'Flaherty and Seaman First Class James Ward, also aboard the Oklahoma, were awarded the Medal of Honor for remaining at their post and allowing fellow sailors to escape before the ship capsized. Machinist's Mate First Class Robert Scott and Chief Watertender Peter Tomich were also awarded the Medal of Honor for similar actions.

I ask you today to consider an appropriate upgrade from the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for which Chaplain Schmitt was originally awarded. Department of the Navy guidance requires that an award for valor must be performed in the presence of great danger and at great personal risk, criteria that I feel Chaplain Schmitt's actions certainly meet.

The United States of America, the state of Iowa, and the residents of Dubuque are eternally grateful for the sacrifice made by this brave man. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this request and look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley