The message barrages us from all sides – friends, family, Facebook. “You’re overthinking it,” “Stop worrying and start living,” and “Why do you always have to imagine everything that could possibly go wrong? Can’t you just relax and enjoy life?!” If these accusations sound familiar, you’re probably one of the millions of people who, either through nature or nurture, live every day with a highly developed prefrontal cortex and amygdale. Interestingly, according to new research these brain characteristics also indicate, you’re likely a highly creative person who’s great a problem solving. Ironically, however, the reality of living with such a brain can be overwhelming and even paralyzing when it comes to decision-making.

The point is, it’s wholly unfair, the accusations, and the useless advice often heaped on top, by well-meaning sources. You cannot change the structure of your brain (or the resulting problematic thoughts) by simply hearing advice and consciously trying to implement it. All the usual suggestions get it entirely backward, implying that you consciously clear your mind of troubles and that will lead to inner peace. Meanwhile, the truth is actually so much more joyful; when we practice our meditation faithfully, inner peace moves in and evicts worrisome thoughts from our outlook (and without the loss of any of our creativity and problem-solving prowess).

This turns the conventional wisdom on its head, because what we constantly hear is that a conscious change will result in serenity, whereas what meditation proves is that when we regularly engage with our higher conscious, that serenity is what actually does all the changing for us.

Personally, I don’t remember when I realized that I had stopped my worrying ways, but I remember feeling great and realizing yet another reason to continue feeling that way. We can all achieve this higher, more joy-filled level of existence. Like so many aspects of our life, the key is meditation.