Most of us are so caught up in our logical minds. Ponder that statement. Let it flow through your mind as the words make their way into the various mental faculties or perhaps factories. Read it a couple of times, sit back, perhaps close your eyes and notice what thoughts arise. By logical mind, I refer to the product of the working together of the central nervous system, especially the various parts of the brain, to allow us to make logical decisions, formulate logical assumptions, think rational thoughts, etc

Are you constantly using the logical mind? Some may even wonder if there exists any other mind for that matter. And the answer is yes, yes there is more to our psyche than mere logic. And while we should be very greatful for our logical capacity, we often give too much priority to it.

Love has no logic. Again, contemplate those four words. How do they flow in your mind? Do they weave gently yet powerfully through the neural network or do they bash awkwardly into everything like the pinball of a pinball machine? What thoughts come up? How do you feel?

The heart is about feeling your way through the world, through your relationships, through your life. The heart requires no logical reasoning and no sleepless contemplation. The heart has a mind of its own, a mind that formulates feelings. It uses the language of feeling and emotion to communicate with the logical brain, the rest of the body and the world around us, letting them know how we feel.

Dementia is among other things, the sequential disappearance of logic. I can tell you how that statement feels to me: ouch mixed with sadness.

How sad it is to experience the disappearance of logical capacity within a loved one. No longer able to express themselves through logical thinking, they themselves may feel trapped in an English dictionary where they understand not a word or letter of English. There is so much they may want to tell you, but just can’t find the words because they no longer have efficient access to their logical minds. And so communication becomes difficult, for we have, as have they, become so dependent on the logical mind. We visit our loved one and struggle in communion with them for we are using a language they are failing, either partially or completely, to understand.

Where does that leave us; the caregivers, families and friends? The less our dear residents are able to access their logical minds, the less we are able to communicate logically with them. So how can we reach them? We must learn the language of the heart, which is the source of all positive emotion. This is not a hypothetical or metaphorical concept. It has been scientifically proven that the heart has a system of neurons that have both short and long-term memory. That the heart has the strongest electro-magnetic field in the body and that when being close in proximity to another human being, the two electo-magnetic fields are communicating with one another. And this is where we need more awareness when in communion with someone with a form of Dementia. As we’re with them, we need to become aware of our emotional state. How do we feel?

We need to imagine our positive emotions radiating towards our loved ones. As we sit with them, talk with them, walk with them, we need to become more aware of our emotions and feelings, because that may be the most effective way of truly communicating with them. By being in a warm loving emotional state, our mind and body will shift to match the emotions accordingly. Our body language will change, our voice tone, our movements, even our breathing will change, all to a harmonious state that is very likely to act as a positive influence on our loved one. They will feel our love and even though they may not be able to express themselves through logical communication, when you become consistent in reading your own emotional state, you will likely become able to read the emotional state of others too, leading to true emotional intelligence.