I just came in from my front porch. Ah, delight! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and life is looking chipper. I wonder at how a touch of sun can almost instantly transform my mood. It's hard to feel too upset in the presence of such bright warmth.
To me, the sun reminds me of how dependent human beings are. We are not self-sufficient. Even the most accomplished man or woman is not completely independent....not even MacGyver. We need other humans, we need food, we need sunshine. We need God.
Just a simple observation.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Heart or Logic?
My reading habits are a bit sporadic. I go through phases where I read constantly, scolding myself for letting months of undisciplined reading patterns slip by. Then, I experience a lull in my ardor and find I have to push myself to read, if I do it at all. So, I am on a pendulum swing of ambition and apathy regarding the reading of books.
Just so happens I'm in a dry spell right now. Perhaps it's because I have no book in my possession that is captivating me. More likely, my mind is too preoccupied with thoughts of summer, plans for the future, and mindless distractions like....um....Facebook and day-dreaming (should I admit that?). One of these days, the pendulum will swing to the other side and a zealous yearning for academia will grip me once again.
Though my desire for books is lacklustre at the moment, there is a book I have been working on finishing. Take the Risk by Ben Carson, renowned neurosurgeon, is truly inspiring. My dad recommended it, so I knew it would be well worth my time, and....it has been.
One of the main premises of the book is that risk-taking is healthy but that there are smart ways to decipher whether a risk is worthwhile. Carson patented his own risk analysis in the form of four questions: 1) What is the best thing that could happen if I took this risk? 2) What is the worst thing that could happen if I took this risk? 3) What is the best thing that could happen if I didn't take this risk? 4) What is the worst thing that could happen if I didn't take this risk? Using his own story to exemplify such risk analysis in action, Carson successfully shows the value in thinking through major decisions that involve elements of risk by using logic.
Faced with some big decisions myself and encouraged by my dad to try Carson's approach, I made my way to Starbucks this morning with journal in hand to flesh out my own risk analyses on each of my options. I think it was helpful. I mean, I don't believe I had any new revelations. Being the obsessive person I am, I had already been hashing through a million thoughts about each option for weeks. However, putting the words on paper may have given some clarity.
Here's the problem. I don't know if I can make a decision purely on logic. I think I have to make it partially according to my heart too. Maybe that's cheesy, but it's true. It's like those silly lists that people have for finding a qualified mate (not offending anyone who's made a list, because I have in the past too). As neat as those might be, you'll probably fall in love with some guy/girl who doesn't match the list completely while Mr./Miss perfect over there just doesn't seem to capture your attention. It's much the same with such big life decisions. The "smart" move isn't always the most appealing to your heart.
Obviously, Bible reading, prayer and counsel from trusted mentors/friends is another key aspect to decision-making. And Carson definitely incorporates some of those aspects in his book. I'm just saying, though, that when it comes to the actual making of the decision, should heart or logic rule? And what if the options all seem equally risky with none outshining the other? What then? What if you're in a holding pattern that is growing increasingly aggravating? Not speaking from personal experience or anything [awkward cough].........
Okay, okay. So, I am in a frustrating though exciting place. I just need to know....heart or logic? My goal is to pursue the will of God, but I still have to make decisions. It's rarely done for me. I guess that, since the answer is not clear, I need to wait until it is...and, then, no matter how I know, I will know. Maybe it will be my heart or maybe pure logic. Either way, I must trust that God will guide. Easy to say. Hard to do. Lord, please help me trust.
Just so happens I'm in a dry spell right now. Perhaps it's because I have no book in my possession that is captivating me. More likely, my mind is too preoccupied with thoughts of summer, plans for the future, and mindless distractions like....um....Facebook and day-dreaming (should I admit that?). One of these days, the pendulum will swing to the other side and a zealous yearning for academia will grip me once again.
Though my desire for books is lacklustre at the moment, there is a book I have been working on finishing. Take the Risk by Ben Carson, renowned neurosurgeon, is truly inspiring. My dad recommended it, so I knew it would be well worth my time, and....it has been.
One of the main premises of the book is that risk-taking is healthy but that there are smart ways to decipher whether a risk is worthwhile. Carson patented his own risk analysis in the form of four questions: 1) What is the best thing that could happen if I took this risk? 2) What is the worst thing that could happen if I took this risk? 3) What is the best thing that could happen if I didn't take this risk? 4) What is the worst thing that could happen if I didn't take this risk? Using his own story to exemplify such risk analysis in action, Carson successfully shows the value in thinking through major decisions that involve elements of risk by using logic.
Faced with some big decisions myself and encouraged by my dad to try Carson's approach, I made my way to Starbucks this morning with journal in hand to flesh out my own risk analyses on each of my options. I think it was helpful. I mean, I don't believe I had any new revelations. Being the obsessive person I am, I had already been hashing through a million thoughts about each option for weeks. However, putting the words on paper may have given some clarity.
Here's the problem. I don't know if I can make a decision purely on logic. I think I have to make it partially according to my heart too. Maybe that's cheesy, but it's true. It's like those silly lists that people have for finding a qualified mate (not offending anyone who's made a list, because I have in the past too). As neat as those might be, you'll probably fall in love with some guy/girl who doesn't match the list completely while Mr./Miss perfect over there just doesn't seem to capture your attention. It's much the same with such big life decisions. The "smart" move isn't always the most appealing to your heart.
Obviously, Bible reading, prayer and counsel from trusted mentors/friends is another key aspect to decision-making. And Carson definitely incorporates some of those aspects in his book. I'm just saying, though, that when it comes to the actual making of the decision, should heart or logic rule? And what if the options all seem equally risky with none outshining the other? What then? What if you're in a holding pattern that is growing increasingly aggravating? Not speaking from personal experience or anything [awkward cough].........
Okay, okay. So, I am in a frustrating though exciting place. I just need to know....heart or logic? My goal is to pursue the will of God, but I still have to make decisions. It's rarely done for me. I guess that, since the answer is not clear, I need to wait until it is...and, then, no matter how I know, I will know. Maybe it will be my heart or maybe pure logic. Either way, I must trust that God will guide. Easy to say. Hard to do. Lord, please help me trust.
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