Offline or Overload? In Case of Emergency...

Now that we have reviewed the entire relational spectrum, it's time to see how, in this context, the brain works in conjunction with MDNA gifts.

As we know, the brain has two halves. Left brain and right brain. Without getting into too much neurological detail, and for the sake of MDNA, we have labelled each side of the brain with a label based upon its generalized function:

  • Left Brain = Truth in Action
  • Right Brain = Joyful Relationships

Truth in Action to Offline

The UCD, SSA, and KWR can have a tendency to operate only in truth in action mode, and therefore, risk going offline. Going offline means your left brain has taken over and you are only thinking about who is right or wrong. It becomes all about what you think should be done, regardless of how it affects people emotionally. In this state, people can be cranky, need to be right all the time, and care less about relationships. This doesn't have to be expressed externally either. For example. the SSA will simply move behind the scenes and just go into "servant" mode.

Joyful Relationships to Overload

On the other side, the CVS, DLF and IAF, being all about relational engagement, can go into overload. This is when you overload yourself with emotions, or you overload others with emotions using your gifts. For example, an IAF can be flooded with all the details and freeze to the point of shutdown. The DLF and CVS also tend to flood others by pushing relational boundaries too far.

And as you probably already figured out, the EIA can go either way. This also means if your gifts cover the entire spectrum, you too can go either way, depending on the situation.

In Case of Emergency

If you find yourself offline, the best action is to spend time appreciating the joy of relationships. Spend time thinking about all that you appreciate and enjoy in others. Share how you feel versus just what you think. Don't take any action. Set what you believe as truth aside for a moment. Do not isolate. Communicate. Make maintaining relational connections a priority.

For those that get overloaded, take a moment to think of one small truth and put it into action. Don't worry about all the details. Don't worry about what others should or should not be doing. Set aside your relational expectations; especially unspoken social contracts. Identify the emotions you are feeling and consider the difference between appropriate and inappropriate response. Think. Plan it out. Don't try too much.

In both cases, these exercises will do wonders for your brain. The first step is to recognize when you are offline or overloaded. This is where others can help you. Practice makes perfect.