Reactions to Blink

I just finished reading Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking.

I am left with that feeling that as much as I strain to grasp the whole idea in all its complexities, it continues to spill over and slip through my fingers, leaving only puddles, portions of the author’s work within reach at any given time.

Maybe if I write it down, I’ll be able to gather it all in one place and feel like I have a better handle on Gladwell’s ideas:

1) When it comes to complex decisions, the snap judgments we make can be more effective than deliberated and analyzed decisions because they quickly pull out key factors instead of becoming overwhelmed by irrelevant ones.

2) Conversely, our intuition can be grossly mistaken or cut short when it is overwhelmed by irrelevant factors or biases. Lack of time, panic, and lack of experience contribute to the likelihood of this happening.

I guess the conclusion would be trust my intuition more, to stay wary of becoming overwhelmed by too much information, but at the same time to realize my intuition is fallible, to continually seek to be self-aware, to train my mind to focus on the right factors in decisions, and through it all to pray that God works through the fascinatingly brilliant minds he has given each of us, whether I am conscious or unconscious of it’s workings.

I feel like I still didn’t do Gladwell’s thoughts justice.

I am also left with the maddening lack of something tangible to take away from it. I wanted to walk away with a formula for decision-making, but instead I have paradoxical feelings of liberation to trust gut reactions and simultaneous confusion and fear about the incredibly complexities both of the decision process and of the inner workings of our minds.

Stepping Out

I heard an amazing story the other day from a college student who came by my office.

She and a friend have been touched by the injustice of child sex trafficking in our world, so they are stepping out and actually doing something about it. They organized a whole golf tournament to raise the money to bring the band Ten Shekel Shirt in to play at their two colleges. Ten Shekel Shirt's shows will be raising awareness and funds for International Justice Mission and Love146, both organizations that are involved in working against the exploitation of children.

So often, I hear about something, but never do anything about it. But here's two girls who have decided to step out and do something. Because of this, hundreds of other college students will have a chance to learn about these issues and contribute to organizations that are working toward solutions.

How cool is that?

P.S. If you're in the area and want to participate in the golf tournament: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=21381503939&ref=mf or just holler and I can hook you up with info

Anyone want to read "Blink" with me?

It's a national bestseller about rapid cognition, the conclusions we reach in seconds about things, about the power of these conclusions, both good and bad, and about harnessing this ability.

There's some cool discussion questions in the back for a book club sort of thing (nerdy sounding, I know :), so if any of you want to snag coffee together and chat about it I'm game!

pretty hilarious!

you have to watch this:

http://www.vimeo.com/1389654?pg=embed&sec=1389654

some of the rockin youth staff here at lcbc sharing how even the best of us have had time when our visions for a deep learning experience don't quite play out the way we hoped!

Apologies

Sorry everyone for my recent negligence in posting. Life has been a little crazy lately. Maybe crazy isn't the right word, just full. And fulfilling. We are in the midst of job searches, school applications, and getting back into the swing of things here in the US. I have also been enjoying more time reading, more frequent runs with our puppy zuri, catching up with various friends old and new, and working on a few extra side-jobs to make some extra cash for some upcoming expenses (I'm so excited that someone has hired me to do some work in her gardens!). The time I have had reflecting lately has not included writing, so I'll have to try to get back to this soon.

Authenticity and Finding My Soul

So, as you all know, it's been several weeks now since I decided to resign from my current job. I realized I had gotten in a rut of sorts. I was in a place that was okay, but I didn't feel like I had quite found that niche that was using my gifts to their fullest and where I felt fulfilled. I realized I needed to step out of my current situation so I would be able to broaden my horizons and take some time of self-discovery.

Only a few weeks of reflection and listening to God's whispers around me and I am amazed at the subtle ways I already feel more myself, more free, more authentic, more alive.

I guess when you are in such a transitional place opportunity for learning and growth sky rockets (not that you can't learn and grow in the other times).

One of the things I have been thinking about is authenticity. What does it look like in my life to be truly authentic. To be honest about where I am and who I am. To not feel like I have to put up a front that I am more "spiritual" (I think this word is a misnomer anyway, but I'll use it here just because I think you know my using it here is referring more to the stereotypes of spirituality) or more outgoing or more of a leader or more perfect or more whatever it is I feel like I have to be. It is so scary and so freeing all at the same time.

I wish I would put words to the feelings of being in this place. I feel like a whole world of possibilities is before me. Like God is working in mystery, weaving the threads of my life into something--which is incredibly hope inspiring at times and incredibly unknown and terrifying at times. Like I am rediscovering my faith and I am discovering myself. The image I keep thinking of is sitting on my porch swinging with all the time in the world--reading, reflecting, watching people walking by and the gardens whispering in the wind, the same breeze refreshing, whispering in my soul, and nurturing hope.

I must add a caveat here though. Not everyday feels like this. There are days I am honestly depressed. I feel scared, as I quit one job and no new ones are working out. For sure, my hope wanes some days, even feels completely dark. But even on these days, God is still at work, bringing growth, working out things I'm not even aware of. Because of this, I have to tell myself I can have hope.

May you find hope today. May you rest knowing that God is at work in mysterious, redemptive ways.

Caring for Your Soul

I have been doing a lot of reflection on this trip about next steps in life for me. I recently resigned from my job to take some time of self-discovery, to find some clarity about what God has gifted me in and where I am excited to invest. Partnering with the Frydlant church this year, meeting the people, experiencing the new community, has been a neat time to think broadly about options for the future. I don’t know if I will necessarily end up serving in the Czech Republic, but it has been encouragement to be willing to think outside the box, outside the current comfortable place I am to consider what new adventures God may have for Matt and I.

On another note, I have been encouraged these last few days in caring for my soul. One of the days at camp, the theme was “soul”. We talked about what are souls are, how it plays into eternity, and how we care for them. I think it may have caused me to do as much thinking as the rest of the students! It was so interesting to think about our soul being the unique person that God creates each of us to be, our eternal being that mirrors God’s image in creativity, justice, relational wiring, etc, and perhaps even where our personality, passions, and gifts reside. How do we care for this? How do we nurture who God created us to be? How do we nurture the relational nature he has deeply rooted in us—with others and with Him?

At the same time these discussions challenged me, I was processing how easy it was to be at camp, investing in students, discussing God, but at the same time not really taking time out for my own soul. Time to sit and ask God what I needed to hear each day and what my team needed to hear. Even time to just care for who God created me to be, time to run or listen to music, time to rest and rejuvenate. Instead, it was easy to just do the next thing we had to do and to try to escape whenever possible.

I was working on reading The Church on the Other Side to write a reflection as a writing sample for my grad school application, and the author said something that caused me to continue thinking about these ideas. McLaren said, “Leadership must once again become a matter of love and spirituality, a place for spiritual sages, not just organizational technicians” (121).

He then goes on to quote Henri Nouwen:
“It is not enough for the priests and ministers of the future to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their time. All of that is very valuable and important, but it is not the heart of Christian leadership. The central question is, are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice, to look at God’s beauty, to touch God’s incarnate Word and to taste fuly God’s infinite goodness?” (121)

What a cool opportunity I have in life during this time of transition to not only seek self-discovery but also to pursue authenticity and to explore rhythms of caring for my soul.

How do you care for your soul?

Starbucks-a familiar place

How much would you pay for a familiar experience? I just paid a ridiculous 110 crowns (approx $9) for a grande chai latte at the prague starbucks. I feel incredibly materialistic admitting that but at the same time am absolutely loving spending the morning chilling here. It's fun knowing that I could very brokenly order one of my favorite drinks in czech: "dobry den, grande chai caj bez vode prosim" (i.e. hello, grande chai tea without water please).

The things that make us happy...