Me, Rumi, and ChatGPT Explore Brain Health

Author
Recent Posts

Follow Me

Dr. Terri Lyon is a licensed psychologist, professor, and the author of The Happy Activist. As the creator of the 5-Step Activism Path, she specializes in helping individuals achieve sustainable social change through a skills-based approach. Known as "The Activist for Activists," Terri is a dedicated environmental activist and animal lover who believes activism should motivate you, not drain you.

Follow Me

Latest posts by Dr. Terri Lyon (see all)

How To Use Capacity Building To Prevent Advocate Burnout - May 4, 2026
Happy Activism: A Sustainable Way to Create Change Without Burnout - February 9, 2026
The Meaning of Critical Thinking: A Key Skill for Navigating Today’s Information Landscape - November 3, 2025

Last Updated on June 3, 2025

In this post, I reflect on mystic poet Rumi’s life and how his quotes (and ChatGPT) helped improve my brain health.

Stress and Brain Health

I recommend you have a stress management plan to recognize when your body is warning you about stress and tension and to be prepared for ways to cope with it before it overwhelms you. Controlling your stress is important for your brain health.

My stress management plan includes stress awareness (which for me appears in my stomach) and coping strategies (#1 for me is deep breathing.) I use several online programs daily to ensure my mental wellness. One is the app Healthy Minds, which I use for meditation, and you can read about my experiences.

Another resource for my brain health is BrainHQ, where I complete a brain puzzle daily. Although most brain puzzle research leads to the conclusion that brain puzzles make you better at brain puzzles, this site is based on research showing that these puzzles can help form new brain connections.

Another site I use to support my brain health is BrainHealth. This program educates you on keeping your brain healthy, including training and helping with habit formation.

Brain Health and Rumi’s Life

BrainHealth is what led me to Rumi.

Two of the brain habits I chose to focus on ended up being related:

Habit #1: A New Way to Read: Take one thing you read today and apply it to three different situations in your life. One component of robust frontal lobe function is mental flexibility. The ability to interpret information in novel ways and see different perspectives and possibilities excites the brain.

Habit #2: Find Inspiration: Find an inspirational quote and generate three unique interpretations. One component of robust frontal lobe function is mental flexibility. Interpreting information in multiple ways can increase efficiencies of our neurons.

I decided to combine these two habits and use quotes to help me exercise my brain and see novel perspectives I can apply to areas of my life.

Sufi Mystic Poet Rumi’s Life as Inspiration

Since my favorite quotes are always from Rumi, I used his poetry to practice generating unique interpretations and applying learnings to my daily life.

Rumi was not on my radar until my later years, which makes me sad. Because although he lived 800 years ago, his poetry is relatable and profound today.

I don’t really like poetry, but I love Rumi’s. I think that is because his poetry speaks to all people. It is personal, powerful, and transformative. I enjoy the many levels that can be gleaned from his words. Learning from his words feels transformative.

Another reason I enjoy Rumi is that although he was a religious scholar, his words speak to everyone regardless of their religion or lack of religion.

Rumi’s Life

Rumi was born in 1207 in what is now Afghanistan, but his family escaped the Mongols and ended up in what is now Turkey. He held many privileges. His family was wealthy and influential, and he followed in his father’s footsteps to become a religious scholar and teacher. But things changed for Rumi when he met someone very unlike him.

Shams of Tabriz was a poor mystic nomad, different in many ways from Rumi. But they formed an intense friendship which changed Rumi. Shams challenged him to see beyond his traditional thinking and surrender to connectedness and love, from doctrine to unity.

Shams mysteriously disappeared (one account I read is that Rumi’s son murdered him, but I don’t think anyone knows for sure), and Rumi was grief-stricken. This despair led him to channel his longing and love into poetry. He composed the Masnavi, six volumes of wisdom, parables, and mystical insight, hoping to guide us toward discovering connection. Although Rumi’s grief was devastating, we gained some of the most influential and beautiful poetry ever written.

Learning From Rumi’s Life

I asked Google for a Rumi quote to develop my brain health for the “A New Way to Read and “Find Inspiration” habits.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

I settled in to reflect on the quote. My skill in poetry analysis is not great, and my reflection was that ‘we need to work on ourselves before we try to work on others.’ And although I understood the sentiment Rumi expresses, this quote brought up questions.

Since I try to get people off the sidelines and into activism, I didn’t like the implication that we must be perfect to fight injustice. For example, must we be yogis with perfect inner peace to campaign against war? My approach is to bring the gifts you have right now to activism and find the perfect way for you to make the change you wish to see.

My questions led me to ChatGPT.

Learning From ChatGPT’s Analysis of Rumi’s Life

I write to ChatGPT about complex subjects often, and 80%ish of the time, I come away with information and ideas.

So, I decided to let ChatGPT answer my questions about Rumi’s quote.

“Will you help me analyze the Rumi quote, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself?”

ChatGPT said:

Good morning! Absolutely—let’s break it down.

This quote by Rumi highlights a shift in perspective that often comes with growth and wisdom. At first, being “clever” suggests intelligence, ambition, and a desire to enact external change. This phase aligns with the youthful or early activist mindset—seeing problems in the world and wanting to fix them directly.

However, as wisdom develops, the focus turns inward. “Changing myself” doesn’t mean abandoning efforts to change the world but recognizing that true, lasting change starts from within. Personal transformation—cultivating patience, empathy, resilience, and integrity—creates a foundation for meaningful external impact.

This quote is particularly relevant for activists. It suggests that while passionate action is important, deep, sustainable change often requires self-reflection, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. By working on ourselves—our mindset, skills, and approach—we can become more effective in shaping the world around us.

How do you see this idea playing out in your activism work?

You said:

I wonder about balancing action and personal transformation, especially in a world that needs people to get off the sidelines. What do you think?

ChatGPT said:

That’s such an important tension to explore. The world does need people to take action, and at the same time, personal transformation can’t be an excuse for inaction. The key is balance—recognizing that the most effective activists aren’t just those who jump into action but those who act with self-awareness, emotional resilience, and strategic thinking.

Action without reflection can lead to burnout, misdirected efforts, or reinforcing harmful systems unintentionally. On the other hand, too much self-focus without engagement risks passivity when urgent issues demand action. The sweet spot is learning through doing—taking action while also reflecting, growing, and adapting as you go.

One way to balance this is by setting up regular check-ins with yourself or your community. Ask:

Am I taking action in a way that aligns with my values?

Am I learning from my experiences and evolving my approach?

Am I prioritizing sustainability in my activism—mentally, emotionally, and physically?

It’s not either/or—activism and personal transformation fuel each other. By stepping into action, you challenge yourself, grow, and refine your approach. And by growing personally, you become a stronger, more strategic force for change.

How do you personally navigate this balance in your work?

You said:

I know from experience that jumping in without reflection leads to burnout. And that reflection on my purpose made my activism focused and motivating. How can we get people to start working on change in a balanced manner?

ChatGPT said:

That’s such a powerful realization—acting without reflection leads to burnout, while grounding your activism in purpose makes it sustainable and fulfilling. Getting others to start working on change in a balanced way requires both invitation and structure. Here are a few ideas:

Start with Purpose, Not Pressure

People are more likely to stay engaged when activism feels personally meaningful rather than overwhelming. Instead of pushing urgency alone, encourage them to reflect on:

What issue tugs at their heart the most?

What unique skills or strengths can they bring?

What change would they feel proud to be part of?

Helping people connect activism to their identity makes it feel less like a duty and more like an intrinsic calling.

Offer a Step-by-Step On-Ramp

Many people hesitate to act because they don’t know where to start. Give them an easy entry point that builds momentum, like:

A simple action they can take today.

A structured way to reflect and set goals.

A small, time-limited commitment to try activism in a way that suits them.

A step-by-step approach prevents overwhelm while allowing people to experience the rewards of activism early on.

Encourage Action + Reflection as a Continuous Cycle

Balance happens when people see activism and self-growth as interconnected. One way to reinforce this is through built-in reflection, like:

Regular check-ins: “What’s working? What’s draining? What’s exciting?”

Group discussions that normalize the challenges of activism.

Encouraging self-care and resilience tools.

Model Balanced Activism

If we want others to approach activism thoughtfully, we need to embody that balance ourselves. Sharing personal stories—like how your own reflection made your activism more focused—can be incredibly inspiring. People often learn best from seeing how others navigate the same challenges.

Would something like a “balanced activism checklist” or a quick reflection tool be helpful for introducing this idea to others?

You said:

Yes.

ChatGPT said:

Here’s a Balanced Activism Checklist you can use to help people engage in activism while maintaining sustainability and personal growth. Let me know if you’d like any adjustments!

Balanced Activism Checklist: Engage with Purpose, Act with Sustainability

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” — Rumi

Activism isn’t just about changing the world—it’s about growing into the person who can create meaningful, lasting change. Use this checklist to ensure your activism is both impactful and sustainable.

Clarify Your Purpose (Start with wisdom, not just urgency.)

What issue excites or moves me the most?
Why does this cause matter to me personally?
What change do I want to see, and what role can I play?

Start with Small, Impactful Actions (Clever action is doing more; wise action is doing what matters most.)

What’s one action I can take today that aligns with my strengths?
How can I contribute in a way that fits my energy level and schedule?
Have I researched proven strategies for impact?

Reflect & Adapt Regularly (Changing myself makes me a stronger changemaker.)

Am I feeling energized or drained by my activism?
What’s working well, and what needs adjustment?
How can I stay flexible while staying committed?

Prevent Burnout with Self-Care (Sustainable activism requires sustainable activists.)

Do I have a self-care kit (rest, joy, support system, coping tools)?
Am I balancing action with downtime and emotional processing?
Who can I turn to for support or collaboration?

Celebrate & Acknowledge Progress (Growth is as important as results.)

What wins (big or small) have I achieved?
How has my activism grown or evolved?
What motivates me to keep going?

Tip: Keep this checklist visible in your workspace or activism groups to remind yourself and others that making a difference isn’t about burning out—it’s about wise, intentional, and fulfilling action.

My Reaction and Learnings

Reflecting on this quote with ChatGPT was an excellent experience. Connecting Rumi’s focus on a life of meaning to activism based on purpose and values was perfect. And I didn’t know I would end up with a Rumi-inspired Balanced Activism Checklist.

When you interact with ChatGPT long enough, it remembers your interactions. Then, it tailors the answers based on what it knows about you. So, it tailored the interpretation of the quote based on earlier interactions about my activism work.

You can see that early on in the exchange when I asked it to analyze the Rumi quote, and it described how the quote applies to activism work.

Limitations of ChatGPT

However, sometimes ChatGPT struggles, as in this exchange:

I’m ready for my Rumi quote!

ChatGPT said:

Here’s your Rumi quote for today:

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you.”

Change—whether in activism, leadership, or life—can feel overwhelming, but resistance often makes it harder. What would it look like to flow with change instead of fighting it?

You said:

How would flow with change look in activism when one of the catchwords is resist?

ChatGPT said:

That’s such a great question! Activism calls for both resistance and flow, and understanding how they work together can make your efforts more effective and sustainable. Here’s how:

Resist Injustice, But Flow with Strategy

Activism requires standing firm against harm, but how we resist can shift. If one tactic isn’t working, flowing with change means adapting instead of burning out.
Example: If a policy fight stalls, you might shift to community education or coalition-building instead of pushing the same tactic harder.

Ask yourself: Am I resisting in a way that’s effective, or is it time to adjust my approach?

Resist Hopelessness, But Flow with Progress

Change is slow. If we only focus on what’s wrong, we get stuck in frustration. Flowing means recognizing small wins, staying flexible, and trusting that progress is nonlinear.
Example: You might not stop factory farming overnight, but every conversation, policy change, or plant-based meal adopted is part of the shift.

Ask yourself: Am I holding space for hope and momentum, even in the face of setbacks?

Resist Burnout, But Flow with Rest and Renewal

Constant resistance without rest leads to exhaustion. Flowing with change means recognizing when to step back, when to push forward, and when to recharge.
Example: Even movements with the strongest resistance (civil rights, women’s rights) strategically paced themselves to last.

Ask yourself: Am I balancing resistance with resilience?

Activism isn’t about rigid resistance—it’s about smart, adaptable, and enduring resistance. That’s the kind of resistance that wins.

My reaction to ChatGPT’s analysis of the Rumi quote and how it applies to activism was tepid. I ended up asking it to give me applications in other areas than activism. Those suggestions made more sense.

Supporting Brain Health With Help From Rumi’s Life (and ChatGPT)

Here is my conclusion. Working with ChatGPT to help me analyze Rumi’s quotes and improve my brain health by generating unique interpretations and applying those learnings to my daily life was mostly a win.

Analyzing and applying a quote to three different areas of your life is an enlightening experience, even if you use a different person’s quote and avoid using AI. This stretches your brain to think beyond traditional topics and methods, learn new knowledge, and apply it in new ways.

Using AI enhanced this process for me. I analyzed each quote myself before I turned to ChatGPT. But I learned from how it analyzed the quote, and it was nice to be able to ask questions when I didn’t understand something. Sometimes, working with AI feels like talking with a friend. Or a therapist.

However, whenever I use AI, I remind myself that it may be inaccurate and biased. In this case, where I am asking AI to help me understand Rumi’s poetry, accuracy and bias are likely less relevant than other topics.