Watching an interview on the cricket coverage, there was an interview with a competitor, and they were discussing fund raising and the great efforts being undertaken. A great interview and a great cause, then the interviewee then said ‘obviously! this is for insert benefiter here”.
Continue readingthinking
Insta-Projection
I was scrolling through Instagram a while back and a thought came to me. For all the inspiration being shared, goals and aspirations etc. I realised that more often or not that a contributor will tell me ‘I should’ it will be fantastic and that ‘I can do it’.
That’s so cool………. Uh…… Hang on……..
FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
But hang on for a minute, they are not me, they don’t know my story, who I am, where I’m at etc. How could they possibly know what’s good for me?
The thought that keeps circling for me, could this be a subtle form of projection. Where an individual attributes characteristics in themselves to another person.
Psychological Projection can often be thought of as a defence mechanism to cope with complex emotions. I’m not thinking here that there is some negative or defensible action.
Projection, there are a few variations (not limited to): [a]
- Complementary projection occurs when individuals assume others feel the same way they do. For example, a person with a particular political persuasion might take it for granted that friends and family members share those beliefs.
- Complimentary projection is the assumption other people can do the same things as well as oneself. For example, an accomplished pianist might take it for granted that other piano students can play the piano equally well.
When we think of sharing (i.e. content on Instagram or Facebook, or in person etc.) are we trying to connect with a person where they are at or being a bit perhaps presumptuous that they are where we are at (and of course that we know the truth of them).
If we think the latter, then perhaps we’re not thinking of them as a person (an object instead). If we were to think of another as a person our mindset moves to a place to consider different things in them.
Person or Object?
I ask this question of myself simply because if my mind moves to assume a person is a object then I’m probably simply thinking of myself as that’s likely to be the first things that pop into my mind. My immediate vicinity. Perhaps that thinking is more like an object or at least similar/identical to me.
When I start thinking deeper about that person/s, I think of their situation, how they are different, their families, ethnicity, culture, location, financial situation, troubles and trials, celebrations, travel, introverted or extraverted, skills and capabilities and so on. I’m thinking much deeper and there I think more of them. I’m thinking they are more human than ever.
If I’m thinking of them as more human and a deeper person, Surely, I’m going to treat them differently too.
Contributing Forward
When we Insta-Project we can ask ourselves the question are we really treating others as people?
So, when I go the ‘you should’, perhaps I really need to hold my breath, reflect and reframe.
Perhaps instead, “I tried XYZ and had a great result, it might not get you the same result, perhaps try and see for yourself, it might”.
I know I’ve Insta-Projected, so the call is much on myself as it is for others to think through too. Give it some thought, you might agree, you might not.
Discover everyday – https://weirdthenewnormal.net/what-we-discover/
Where does our thinking take us – https://weirdthenewnormal.net/where-does-our-thinking-take-us/
[a] https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/projection
Are you ready for Wisdom?
How many times do we ask ourselves, grant me wisdom or perhaps I could really use some wisdom right now.
But are you ready for what wisdom demands? Continue reading
Righteousness is not ours to own
Morally right or justifiable / Free of error / Correct / Perfect
Deep in our hearts we know that we are not righteous and more so know that we can never reach to attain it.
That being the case should we not therefore give each other space to recognise this?
http://weirdthenewnormal.net/index.php/2016/10/12/where-does-our-thinking-take-us/
Life through the Kaleidoscope – Learning to understand each other
A Kaleidoscope is an amazing thing; using light, shape, colour and mirrors to create unique beautiful patterns
Do you remember the first time using a Kaleidoscope? Putting the eye-piece to your eye, pointing it to the light and turning the device to make such amazing patterns. As one pattern vanishes another appears, an endless array of mesmerising patterns. Continue reading
Left or Right (perhaps neither)
Being on the left or the right is easy, to be centred though requires working hard, persistence, patience, and courage.
Asking for patience
Ever asked yourself or God for patience, perhaps wisdom?
Only to be confronted with many situations that require said patience or wisdom.
A real world experience
I quite like social media, I like the news, I like to hear about what going on in the world and the lives of friends, family and acquaintances. I like to share in the journeys of all those people. In good times I feel like on an adventure with you and at other times grieve with you.
Where does our thinking take us?
Every day we think, this blog is asking you to think, at the workplace we think, as we read the news we think, as we hear what’s going on in the world we think. As we process all this thinking do we leave with some quick thoughts or do we dive deep into it?