What is freedom?
Mary Rensel 
Are you free? Brain Wonder can help us navigate uncertainties.
Are you free?
When are you able to say “No” and where Brain Wonder may help?
On this July 4th weekend upon completing 3 nights in a row of fireworks, yes I am a fan, I am thinking of the uncertainties in our world. I seem to only have questions. I cannot find certainty in the definition of freedom. At this point and time when I think of freedom it makes me think of when I am able to say “No”. Decisions during times of uncertainty are difficult. I am thinking back on professional situations where I thought I had to say yes or there would be professional opportunity consequences. The decades have given me perspective on my own freedom to say yes or no. Did I take time to pause and figure out what is important to me at this time before saying yes or no? Was there time? Was I “free”? When do we have actual professional and personal freedom? When do you feel free? I coach women docs looking for “freedom”, what does that look like for you? Is it saying yes or no that brings the feeling of freedom and security? Do we want more security than freedom and when do we feel secure? I am beyond blessed at this time, I hear global stories of so many that do not have freedom. Webster defines freedom; the quality of being free such as the absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in a choice or action and the liberation of restraint from the power of another and a political right. Are we ever truly free of the power of others? Will our societies ever find freedom collectively? With so many questions, I go back to research to help navigate this complex world. The book Thinking Fast and Slow, Dan Kahneman, comes to mind. Let’s take 5 lessons from that impactful book written by a Psychologist Nobel prize winner for Economic Sciences. He studied patterns of human behavior of judgement and decision making under uncertainty. He has studied humans so let’s learn from science. He has created a system he refers to as Systems 1 and 2, Fast and Slow thinking, these do not have an anatomic correlation, he clearly states in his book he created this system to help us understand our decision making in times of uncertainty. Here are 5 ways to find freedom through neuroscience insights.
🧠 1. Freedom to Focus Intentionally
Neuroscience Lens: Prefrontal cortex + Reticular Activating System
Kahneman Lens: Training System 2 to manage System 1’s impulses
Kahneman teaches us that most of our daily decisions are made by fast, automatic System 1. But when we choose to slow down and engage System 2—through planning, reflection, or re-centering—we reclaim our ability to focus deliberately.
Freedom is remembering we don’t have to follow every urge. We can train our brain to focus on what fuels our future.
🌬️ 2. Freedom from Overwhelm with Brain-Based Breaks
Neuroscience Lens: Stress response, parasympathetic regulation
Kahneman Lens: System 2 tires quickly—especially under cognitive load
Kahneman warned us: System 2 is effortful and can be depleted quickly by stress or decision fatigue. Knowing this, we can protect our cognitive energy by taking intentional micro-breaks that restore brain function—breathing, stepping outside, hydration, stillness.
Freedom is building recovery into the day so we don’t deplete our decision-making power.
💬 3. Freedom to Choose Our Responses
Neuroscience Lens: Amygdala modulation by Prefrontal Cortex
Kahneman Lens: System 1 reacts fast—but we can pause and correct with System 2
When something triggers us, System 1 wants to react now. But neuroscience and Kahneman both show that we have a choice: pause, breathe, and allow System 2 to step in. This creates space for wiser, values-aligned action instead of impulsive reaction.
Freedom is knowing we don’t have to believe every story our brain tells in the heat of the moment.
💡 4. Freedom to Create New Possibilities
Neuroscience Lens: Neuroplasticity
Kahneman Lens: Cognitive biases can be challenged—but only with effortful thinking
Our fast brain resists change—it loves familiar patterns. Kahneman calls this “what you see is all there is” (WYSIATI). But neuroscience reminds us: you can change the pattern. With intention, reflection, and coaching, we create new thought pathways, new habits, new futures.
Freedom is challenging our autopilot and choosing new stories and strategies.
🧭 5. Freedom to Lead with Purpose, Not Pressure
Neuroscience Lens: Dopaminergic reward pathways, oxytocin and connection
Kahneman Lens: System 1 seeks comfort, shortcuts, and approval
Kahneman’s work shows that humans crave coherence and avoid discomfort—even if it means staying stuck. But our brain’s deeper wiring lights up with meaning, alignment, and connection. When we use neuroscience to create purpose-driven environments, we lead with clarity, not just compliance.
Freedom is knowing we’re biologically built to thrive when we align our work with our values.
On this holiday weekend, let’s follow science to find our points of freedom. Please take time to recenter, recover, pause, reflect and find meaning. Trust your ability to align with your neuroscience to support you and your community at this uncertain time. Slow down, ask questions. What is possible? What if? What is meaningful? Take steps to live intentionally through brain wonder and strategic actions. Deep breath filled with wonder… share your freedom.
May freedom reign ..
Mary
https://linktr.ee/Dr.MaryRensel
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Dr. Mary Rensel is the founder of Brain Fresh 🧠, which seeks to support busy professionals through transitions, helping them stay agile and centered 🌟. Brain Fresh focuses on brain priming with fun 🎉, fine-tuning 🎯, and protection from distraction 🚫. It teaches aligning with strengths and gifts 🎁, belonging to a supportive team 🤝, and designing next steps with a focus on building a supportive team 👥, managing anger 😡, and taking courageous action 💪. Dr. Rensel aims to help participants feel clear on next steps ✨, focused 🎯, and re-energized 🔋 to navigate challenges.