What we need here isn’t balls.  What we need is a big collection of myelinating orbitofrontal cortices.

And we need it ASAP.

Considering the many Elders I know, the many more of whom I’m aware, and the millions I have every reason to trust are out there, it’s my considered guess that we have all the developed brains we need to be far more wise than we are being. Unfortunately, those brains are too often undervalued and thus not the ones connected to the voices and hefty pocket books of people in positions of power across this planet of ours.

In recent days, I’ve been reading about the CIA’s policies and practices – the torture of innocent people that has been financed by my taxes and yours.  Real torture – not movie sets, not pretend in any way – real soul-crushing, life-stripping torture.  Every bit of it out of fear, intolerance, and impulsive acts of extreme subjugation authorized and carried out by immature brains.

Now, it’s important to admit that I can never presume to understand fully the complexity of circumstances facing our public leaders.  Dire choices are just that – and, even though I am not a proponent of the idea of evil, I understand how perceived evil can call for especially careful decision making.

I also know what it’s like to be in a life – how frequent the opportunities are to be hateful and hostile in the face of fearful circumstances.  You know this, too.  And, like me, you probably see there are decision points along the way.  We don’t have to go to destruction.

But that’s the thing.  We do go there.  Often, those of us who are more interested in kindness than aggressive defensiveness, look back at things we’ve done and see – in retrospect – where we could have made moves that were wiser, that didn’t go down the more hostile and defended path.

Good news:  This kind of self-reflection is a good strong step toward building the orbitofrontal cortex – the brain center we so need in these days.

Here’s what I’ve come to understand about this part of the brain; why I’ve become such a fan.  Among many, Dan Siegel – a neuropsychologist, scholar and clinician – has been finding both powerful evidence and immediately practical applications for the capacity of the brain to change and grow all the way through adulthood.  Significant evidence of learning that shows up as wisdom in the orbitofrontal cortex, the area of the brain located way in the front of the brain, above your eyes.

First of all, there’s the conclusive evidence that we keep learning throughout life.  In brain physiology, this is evident in the fact that our neurons continue renewing their sheaths of myelin – the stuff that makes gray matter look gray, and clears the way for the quick-fire electricity we need for thinking.  Then there’s this.  If we’re lucky – if we pursue the self-reflection I mentioned above – even when we’re embarrassed by the immaturity of our actions we’re willing to learn from them – then the myelination of the orbitofrontal cortex actually picks up as we get older.

The primary expression of an orbitofrontal cortex that is actively learning is WISDOM. A capacity for taking circumstances into account, telling the truth without blame or judgment, remaining quiet to consider the best response for all involved.  Exactly what we so desperately need in our public leadership.  Now.

Writing this isn’t going to get it.  No amount of verbal tirade will fix this problem – at least right away.  But there are things each of us can do.

We can do our best.  We can get humble and think of our shared wellbeing with a long view.  We can pay attention and keep learning.

In this, there is a link between brains and policies that protect public security.  The link is immediate and it is urgent.  It connects each of us taking responsibility for growing our own wisdom with the way we individually and collectively address the horror of our capacity for torture.

It’s a stretch – that is certain.  Learning is a stretch.  Wisdom is the gift that follows from stretching.

And one last thought.  Pay attention to the Elders around you who are wise.  They are showing us every day how to develop our own brains and spirits toward our own Elderhood ™. They show us how to find the wisdom we finally can’t live without.