Much of what you think of as reality is a construction of your brain. Your brain builds an internal model of reality which is both objective and subjective.

Here’s the key: the brain has no access to the world outside. Sealed within the dark, silent chamber of your skull, your brain has never directly experienced the external world, and it never will. Instead, there’s only one way that information from out there gets into the brain. … Everything you experience — every sight, sound, smell — rather than being a direct experience, is an electrochemical rendition in a dark theater.”

Each of us experiences the world uniquely as our brains give meaning to events and stimuli we encounter according to our physical brain function, memories, beliefs, and attitudes about ourselves and others. These influences are generally below conscious awareness and determine how you respond to the world, interact in relationships, and think of and talk to yourself. Therefore, everything in your life — your parents, your seventh-grade teacher, your media consumption — all play a part in shaping your unique reality.

The key is to become conscious of your brain’s subconscious filter, at times, and positively influence your thoughts and mind in a way that helps you. Remember that your brain factors in subconscious beliefs and attitudes about yourself, others, and the world when assigning meaning to incoming stimuli and in this way, creates your reality. By becoming aware of these influences and consciously choosing which ones you allow to have an impact and intentionally inserting new influences, you can change your past and future.

You can’t literally change the events of your past, of course. However, by modifying your perspective and feelings about past events, you alter their significance in your present life which can, in turn, allow you to modify your feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and future. Because of neuroplasticity, a proven scientific truth that your brain changes based on input, your repeated thoughts, feelings, and behaviors actually alter your physical brain and its functioning. By changing your mindset, you CAN change your brain and reality.