Watch the full interview with Dr. Edgar Reynoso Vanderhorst here:
What can premature babies teach us about personal growth?
According to Dr. Edgar Reynoso Vanderhorst, a pediatric neonatologist fellow, more than you might think.
In the hushed environment of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where every decision can mean the difference between life and death, Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst has uncovered insights about human development that could revolutionize how we approach personal growth.
"Between a stimulus and response is a space," Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst shares, leaning forward intently. "That space is your superpower to choose your response."
Learning from Life's Most Fragile Moments
Working with premature infants as young as 22 weeks - barely halfway through a normal pregnancy - Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst has mastered the art of making clear decisions under extreme pressure.
"I realize that I'm not only treating children," he explains. "I'm impacting families."
This realization led him to look deeper into how humans develop and grow, both physically and mentally.
The Morning Mind: Your Day's Foundation
Through his work in high-pressure medical situations, Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst discovered something surprising about how our minds work.
"When you read one positive quote a day, every morning, you can see in the afternoon and at night, it helps you to remember the perspective that you want in life."
He compares this practice to the placebo effect - a well-documented medical phenomenon where belief creates physical change.
"It's literally the proof that people can heal and create things solely in belief and expectation."
The Science of Calm in Chaos
In the NICU, chaos is never far away. "When we are calm, we can see reality as it is, rather than what our thoughts and external things tell us," Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst explains.
This insight comes from countless moments where clear thinking meant saving lives.
"We are not our thoughts and we are not what we see," he emphasizes. "We are the awareness of that."
Why Most Personal Development Fails
Many people approach personal development as a solitary journey. Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst sees this as a fundamental mistake.
"In a society, you don't grow alone," he states firmly. "We have to grow together. We have to share our experience, our knowledge, our information."
This perspective comes from seeing how the health of premature babies is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing of their families.
Healthy personal growth, he argues, should follow the same principle.
Building the Foundation for Healthy Personal Growth
Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst emphasizes that tools for personal development must be practical and applicable to busy daily life.
"People say you have to take time. Yeah, but how can I do it because my life is so stressful every day?"
His answer is to start with small, consistent practices that align with how our brains naturally work.
Just as he carefully monitors the development of premature organs in his tiny patients, he advocates for a measured, scientific approach to personal growth.
The Uniqueness Principle
"Since you were born till now, no one has the same experience as you," Dr. Reynoso Vanderhorst reminds us.
"You can never compare yourself with no one because you're the only one who knows your own advantage and disadvantage."
This insight, coming from someone who works daily with unique medical cases, carries special weight. Each person's development journey must be as unique as they are.
Key Takeaways
The Power of the Pause: True calm isn't about suppressing stress, but about creating space between stimulus and response. This space gives you the power to choose your reactions rather than being controlled by them.
Your Morning Blueprint: What you feed your mind in the morning shapes your entire day. Like the placebo effect, your morning mindset creates real physical changes in how you respond to challenges.
The Connected Journey: Personal development isn't truly personal - we grow best when connected to others and sharing our experiences. Just as a premature baby's health is linked to their family's wellbeing, your growth is connected to your community.
Dr. Edgar Reynoso Vanderhorst's book, Wellness: Optimizing Yourself: A Scientific Perspective from a Pediatric Neonatologist, dives deeper into these principles, offering practical tools for anyone seeking to grow in a healthy, sustainable way.
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