Millo, small Parts, do Great Things!

“What are you doing, Elizabeth? Millo says as he flies overhead and peeks at her computer screen. 

“I am writing a story about the smallest part of my brain,” She responds. 

“Is it a story about me?”

 Excited, Millo soars and chirps while the ceiling fan turns, barely missing the blade; he hits the ceiling, and his feathers fly everywhere. 

“Millo, are you okay?” Elizabeth gasped as she runs to his aid, fearing another mishap for her little feather friend.

“Yes, but now everything is spinning,” Millo says as he tries to refocus on a spinning fan. “Uh, Millo groans.”

Millo, look at me; the fan is spinning, not you,” Elizabeth says as she picks him up off the floor and sits him on the computer screen, and answers his question before his crash landing,

“When everyone arrives, I will tell you about it.”

Meanwhile, Joppa is nearby, nestling under a shaded tree with her sunglasses on. She hears Elizabeth discussing a story and quickly heads over. As she approaches the door, she ruffles her feathers and fixes her posture as though she doesn’t know what is happening.

“Joppa, Elizebeth is writing a play for us!” Millo exclaims. 

“Is it about me!” Joppa says. 

“No, it’s not all about you, Joppa, it’s about the parts of the brain.”

“Brain, did I hear brain?” Raphi-owl says as he lands on the window sill. The conversation below awakened Raphi-owl, the wise owl’s interest; he is always ready to fly to the heights of knowledge and understanding.

“Ah, yes, LORD, Your Word is the Lamp for my feet.” Says Hippie the hippo as he emerges from the water.

“Will I be featured in the story this time, Ms. Lizzy?” “Yes, Hippie,  it’s time for you to bring up the parts hidden from long ago so we can help them grow up to the present with us.”

But only go where the Light shines!” Hippie interrupts as he goes below the surface.

Elizabeth stops typing, smiles at her friends, and says, “First of all, I have a confession to make.” 

“Oh no, are you leaving us again?” Millo sadly says. ” Don’t jump to conclusions before hearing the whole story.” Raphi-owl intervenes. 

“Where are you going?” Hippie reappears and joins the conversation with a somber tone. 

“Let’s not assume negative thoughts,” says Owl.

“Go on, you have something to tell us,” Joppa intercedes. 

“Thank you,” Elizabeth replies. 

“Well, I don’t know how to explain in simple words how you all have been helpful through my healing experience. You are more than a figment of my imagination.”

“What!” figment of your imagination, we aren’t real?!” Joppa runs to the nearest mirror and begins poking her beautiful face and admiring her long slender body. 

Elizabeth explains, “You are part of my brain; my emotions and imagination. I gave you names.”

“Ewe, you’re brain, how so?” Says Millo

“Wait, what? Did you say we are parts of your brain too!?” Joppa exclaims.

“How can that be?” Hippie says as he comes up from the water. 

“And can you tell us what part of your brain I am? Hopefully, I am the smart part?” says Joppa. 

Raphi-owl explains,

“Well, its complexity is like the universe, like shooting stars, neurons that fire together, wire together. When you look into the night sky, you can’t even count the size of stars. It’s so complex, scientists still marvel at understanding. The brain is like the universe. It is like the outer space, of the inner space of the human mind,” says Raphi-owl.

“Well said! Mr. Owl.” Elizabeth intercedes,

“Neuroscientists continue learning how magnificent our brains are!  I am not a neuroscientist, but since I began on the healing pathway, I can only briefly describe the parts I vaguely understand—Millo, my feisty little bird. You are like a tiny part of the brain, called the Amygdala. It’s like a watchman searching for danger, and he sets out an alarm in the brain and warns us when we are in danger. The amygdala keeps us safe. It is Fight, Flight, or Freeze. The amygdala also alarms other brain parts to give us the strength to fight if needed to protect ourselves. Flight gives us speed when we need to escape danger. Lastly, Freeze can cause us to be immovable, like a deer in front of the headlights of an upcoming car.” Now that I know more and understand, we can heal the wounded parts and grow.”

Moreover, owl goes on, “For such a small part of the brain, consider yourself like a processing center for emotions.”

“That is a lot of information for my little brain; I’m already exhausted,” Exclaimed Millo. 

“Yes, Millo, you are so right. Too much brain food is a lot of information, and we need someone like Rafi-owl, a counselor or psychologist, to help us digest and process information. It can cause stress and become over-reactive, like crashing into windows and ceiling fans?” Says Millo.

“Yes Millo, leaving us drained or having other health problems. How are you feeling now, Millo?” Elizabeth asks.

“I feel overwhelmed and exhausted, and I need a nap.” 

“Yes, that is where Rafi-owl comes in. He is a wise counselor; the wise self within our parts, helps us understand things more clearly and make wise decisions when we pause instead of reacting. Furthermore, wise others and doctors specializing in mental health can help us sort things out and put them in perspective. They help the trauma parts of our memories heal, learn, and grow. This part of our brain is called the Hippocampus.” 

“Hum, that sounds familiar.” Says Hippie. 

“Yes, Hippie, you store memories. Some emotions can be overwhelming. If we don’t have the proper tools to help us, you also help us regulate our emotions. Sometimes, you remind me of happy times, when I am sad. You help me remember things I studied when I am taking a test; those are the best because you remind me that I am smart when other parts of my brain say I can’t do something, you remind me of all the things I accomplished. You remind me that I am smart!’ Elizabeth excitedly says.

“Well…………. I’m sure glad I can help!” Says Hippie

“Well, as the saying goes, “ Joppa interrupts and says, “Save the best for last.” Well, are you going to tell me about the part I play?”

“Yes, Ms. Elizabeth, Tell us what part Joppa plays since she thinks she is the star of the show, I would assume she is the ego part” Raphi-owl says sarcastically.

“Joppa is as you all are very important parts of me, and I am grateful that you all help me grow to be the person God created me to be; fearfully and wonderfully made in His imagine. Every single part of us is important, and like shinning stars we will rise and declare the goodness of God.

Prayer: 

Dear God, 

Thank You for making me the way I am, fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you for putting me together in my mother’s womb, in the secret place where I was protected and hidden until I was born. You created me to do great things for You. Thank You God for assigning Your angels to keep me and my family safe tonight as we sleep, and don’t let anyone harm us; in Jesus’ Name, amen.