mindcafe_magazine_01

Brain health

The Mind Cafe

24.01.2026

Why are you here?

Everyone has a purpose assigned by God, and fulfilling your assignment is linked to your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

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THE G.Y.M. (GUARD YOUR MIND) We experienced an unavoidable technical meltdown during our workshop on Saturday 24th January 2026. “Why Am I Here” is a 3-part series that will run for 3 consecutive weeks.

We have decided to share the full slides in this maiden online publication so everyone can follow the next 2 sessions.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BECOME A REGULAR DONOR TO SUPPORT THIS WEEKLY LIFE-CHANGING PROJECT. The final session will include practical activities, such as creating mood boards, and in-person attendance at our Muswell Hill venue. Online participation is also available, with practical worksheets for those unable to attend in person, particularly those not based in the UK.

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THE MIND CAFE

THE G.Y.M. (GUARD YOUR MIND) A CHRISTIAN COGNITIVE APPROACH TO MANAGING THE MIND.

“Why am I here?”

Finding Purpose and Overcoming Obstacles is the title of The G.Y.M. (guard your mind) held on Saturday, 24th January 2026.

We focused on finding one's purpose and overcoming obstacles to success, including distractions, negativity, people who hurt us, where we live, fear of failure, etc.

The presentation slides are as follows:

“Why am I here?” is a good and healthy question to ask ourselves.

•Marshall Mcluhan made a statement/Buckminster Fuller “ There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth; we are all crew” •Meaning we have a collective responsibility towards the planet and each other.

•No one is left out, with reference to the blind man. “ Jesus answered those who questioned the cause of his disability”, the answer, “this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

A SEED It has an assignment. Everything God created has a purpose. An assignment.

Our assignment or purpose is linked to the quality of our mental and emotional health and ultimately to our physical health.

Our assignment is related to our passion, to what triggers us, what bothers us ( in our mind we say this thing ought not to be like this).

Where our passion is , is not far from where our fortune is, our success.

Mike Murdock a teacher of the word says being successful is achieving the goals God has for each and everyone for us in every area of our life.

Spiritual, physical, emotional, financial , social and family life.

Scriptures that speak of our assignments/purpose:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 To assure us that we have the wherewithal to fulfil our purpose. David said in Psalm 139: 14. I praise you because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made.

We have been prewired for our assignment or purpose; yes, we have to uncover it, especially as it may be camouflaged by mindsets and by what dream-killers have drummed into us, especially from significant others. Just as we realise what we have been called to do, it gets shut down by a toxic look or a toxic sentence.

Can anyone identify with this ( be reassured it can be revived and also upgraded) Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart” I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5.

This pertains to each and every one of us. He appointed us to be one thing or the other.

Maybe you are the one who is going to show God Off and draw people’s attention to Him. A surgeon discovered that the one reason he became a surgeon was to save a young man’s severed arm after an accident. FGBMFI

Sell by dates EXPIRY DATES Thank God there is no expiry date on our potential, as long as we are still on this side of eternity.

Our Gifts and callings that help us to fulfil our assignment are unique to us. Neurologically, we are not wired for someone else’s gift. And His gifts and callings are not taken back from us. They are irrevocable. He does not change His mind or take them back. Romans 11:29.

Our life experiences, what we learn, or train in all combine with our gifts. So we have interests in studying one thing or the other.

This gives us the strength and courage to walk into our future with unlimited abilities to grow into our success.

God is always there to back us up. We have learnt about Neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to grow, restructure itself, to heal, to change so we can attain whatever we have been called to do.

What kind of emotions are triggered in us when we see others working and being successful in their assignments?

(Be honest)

DNA, what does it stand for?

It is our comprehensive manual of instructions for life. How each cell works.

DNA make up the chromosomes and stores genetic information.

Every cell in our body, from a brain cell to a skin cell, contains virtually the same set of instructions, but different cells read and execute different parts of the manual, leading to their specialised functions.

So our DNA contributes to our unique biological make-up, which includes factors that might make us more inclined towards certain activities, more resilient in certain situations, or have certain talents. Like genes that influence physical strength, musical ear or cognitive speed, so very quick to answer math questions, or tell what day a particular date was in 1901, without looking at a calendar from that era.

Remember, we learnt that faulty, toxic thoughts can turn genes off or on. So our habitual faulty pattern of thinking needs to be addressed, to be able to express our God-giving gifts embedded in our DNA.

Signs and pointers WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND POINTERS IN YOUR LIFE? SOME OF THEM ARE OBVIOUS. NAME A FEW.

Talking yourself out of your dream.

NAME SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT CAUSE THIS.

Methods of learning

Not allowing you to learn using your unique learning style can actually affect the full expression of your gifts and ultimately your purpose or assignment.

The potential is there in our DNA, and then it is fine-tuned by our education, experience, etc.

Personal experience- mind focus as a child, comfortable learning.

Parents as potential blockers- A child with such a strong sense of potential has been discouraged by a parent who may use the phrase ”Jack of all trades, master of none” What do you then say about the Renaissance man or woman who is a well-rounded, highly knowledgeable person skilled in many different fields?

Learning styles -Auditory learning- learning through hearing the spoken word, medi-sing could be a productive way of engaging in meditation.

Learning Style contd.

- Visual learning- learning by looking at images, mind maps, demonstrations and body language. Medi-play or medi-act could be a more appropriate way for these types of learners.

Kinaesthetic learning- these people learn by interacting. Movement is key. Medising and medi-play could be a good option for meditation style for them.

Tactile learning- learning through writing notes and drawing diagrams. Art for the soul and copying scriptures are good ways to engage in meditation for this group of people.

- Most people have multiple learning styles; these are the people who are spoilt for choice.

We must develop and exercise. And honour the gifts God has given us. God will be glorified.

Study the following scriptures: 2Timothy 1:6 (fan into flame the gift of God) Proverbs 18:16 ( A man’s gift makes room for him) Roman’s 12:6-8 (using different gifts diligently)

Those who defied age, from all over the world (people who started their careers or achieved significant success later in life, and did not fail to fulfil their purpose despite their advanced age)

Arts & Literature: 1. Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses) (United States): Began her painting career in her late 70s after arthritis prevented her from doing farm chores. She became a celebrated folk artist and a symbol of pursuing passions at any age.

2. Laura Ingalls Wilder (United States): Published the first book in her beloved "Little House on the Prairie" series when she was 65 years old.

3. Frank McCourt (United States/Ireland): Published his Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, "Angela's Ashes," at the age of 66. Before that, he was a high school teacher.

4. Mary Wesley (United Kingdom): Published her first novel, "Jumping the Queue," at the age of 70 and went on to write several bestsellers.

5. Toni Morrison (United States): While she had a career as an editor before, her first novel, "The Bluest Eye," was published when she was 39, and she continued to produce groundbreaking work throughout her life, winning the Nobel Prize at 62.

(While 39 isn't "late" for everyone, for a first novel that launched such a monumental career, it's worth noting.)

6. Andrea Bocelli (Italy): Became globally famous for his operatic and pop music in his mid-30s, after years of singing in piano bars and working as a court-appointed lawyer.

7. Colonel Harland Sanders (United States): While not an artist, his career with Kentucky Fried Chicken truly took off when he was in his 60s, after many failed ventures. He perfected his chicken recipe and began franchising at an age when many retire.

Politics & Activism: 8. Nelson Mandela (South Africa): Spent 27 years in prison and was released at 71. He then became president of South Africa at 75, leading the nation through a peaceful transition from apartheid. His most impactful leadership came after his "advanced age."

9. Winston Churchill (United Kingdom): While he had an earlier political career, his most famous and impactful period as Prime Minister during World War II began when he was 65 years old. He returned for a second term in his late 70s.

10. Golda Meir (Israel): Became Prime Minister of Israel at the age of 70, serving during a critical period in the nation's history.

11. Esther Mahlangu (South Africa): A Ndebele artist who gained international recognition for her traditional Ndebele paintings in her 50s and 60s, collaborating with major brands and showcasing her culture globally.

12. Wang Deshun (China): Became an internet sensation and fashion model at the age of 79, after years as an actor and performance artist, showing off his incredible physique and vitality on the runway.

Science & Innovation: 13. Peter Roget (United Kingdom): Published "Roget's Thesaurus" at the age of 73, after a career as a physician and natural theologian.

14. Sophia Danenberg (Poland/USA): At 77, she became the oldest woman to summit Mount Everest. While not a "career," it's a profound demonstration of purpose and achievement at an advanced age.

Business & Entrepreneurship: 15. Vera Wang (United States): Began her bridal design empire at the age of 40, after a career as a figure skater and fashion editor.

16. Ray Kroc (United States): While McDonald's was founded by the McDonald brothers, Kroc bought them out and built the global empire starting in his 50s.

General Impact/Notable Figures: 17. Sister André (Lucile Randon) (France): Became the world's oldest validated living person (and oldest nun) at 118, dedicating her later life to prayer and service in a nursing home, inspiring many globally. (While not a new "career," her impact as a symbol of longevity and faith became

Age is no barrier to fulfilling one’s Purpose:

Our brain never wears out; it gets better with use ( new stem cells have now been found in our hippocampus, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons actively occurs there). God has fully equipped us, even for repair.

Dr Murphy, the author of The Power of the Mind, said the mind never grows old; that is our software, the operational system of our hardware, the brain, never packs up. It may need rebooting.

Dr Robert Butler a prominent American Physician, gerontologist (studies aging) and a psychiatrist coined the term “use it or lose it”, in the context of brain health and ageing in 1970s.

He stated that if you don’t actively engage and challenge your body, especially your muscles and organs, the mind ( cognitive functions, like memory, problem solving and learning), those abilities and capacities will weaken and deteriorate over time. Conversely, by actively using and exercising them, you can maintain or even improve them.

Mike Murdock’s 7 signposts to your assignment.

1. Your assignment is any problem you were created to solve on earth.

2. What you love is a clue to the gifts and wisdom you contain to complete your assignment.

3. What you hate is a clue to something you are assigned to correct.

4. What grieves you is a clue to something you are assigned to heal.

5. If you rebel against your assignment, God may permit painful experiences to correct you.

6. Your assignment will require seasons of preparation.

7. You will only succeed when your assignment becomes an obsession.

God wants us to succeed –Joshua 1: 8 “Study this book of instruction continuously. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” NLT Success is the achievement of goals God has for us Remember, God has a purpose even in some of life’s unpleasant events.

We must not despise the days of small beginnings.

CONCLUSION True fulfilment ensures emotional, mental and physical wellbeing.

We are called to be good stewards Mathew 25:1430.

The Grave, Myles Monroe said, is the richest place on earth it is full of unrealised dreams, unused talents, unwritten books, etc I pray that I will transition with a joyful soul, because we wait to hear “well done, my child,” in Jesus' name.

Knowledge is limited, but the imagination is not: Albert Einstein He said, it is through the powers of imagination that we expand our knowledge.

1Chronicles 29:18 …….. Our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of the people.

Faith brings into reality the things that you positively imagine, and fear brings into reality the negative things imagined.

The Tower of Babel Behold, the people are one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. So God had to shut them down.

Begin to imagine the great things you will do with your GIFT.

The G.Y.M. (Guard your mind) is intellectual property right protected.

The Mind Cafe hello@mindcafe.uk The concepts taught in our G.Y.M. workshops span a broad spectrum, encompassing practical strategies and deep spiritual insights. This diverse content is the culmination of extensive reading, rigorous research, and years of hands-on experience working with clients in various settings – from NHS and private practice to schools, businesses, and care environments such as day centres and supported living homes. To make this material more engaging and accessible, we've opted for a flexible, easy-to-assimilate learning style.

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OUR MISSION Our mission is to create a supportive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can explore and enhance their mental health through the lens of their Christian faith.

Our clinic offers a range of services, including counselling, therapy, support groups, and educational workshops—all rooted in both psychological science and Christian values. We recognise that every individual is unique, and our culturally sensitive approach ensures that we respect and acknowledge the varied backgrounds and beliefs of each person we serve. Our team comprises trained professionals who are knowledgeable in mental health and passionate about integrating faith into therapeutic practices.

Dr. Christina Browne

Clinical Lead hello@mindcafe.uk

he Mind Caf

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