Have you ever been in a quandary about some situation and you've said, Oh, I don't know what to do, I'm of two minds on this? You know the place where your rational mind says this is the best thing to do, but your heart says, Yes, but I don't really want to, it doesn't feel right.
I recently read the new book Switch, How to Change When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. They deal with this double-minded tendency in a way that really makes sense. They use the imagery of an elephant and his rider, the elephant being your emotional side and the rider your rational side. We all know that the rider and the elephant both need to have the same destination in mind; otherwise the rider will want to head off in one direction and the elephant somewhere else.
Although they don't talk about it, this book really illustrates what James says in the New Testament about a double-minded person being unstable in all her ways, and not to think she will get anything (or anywhere) if she can't become of one mind about it.
If you have an area where you wish you could just make a decision that both your rider and elephant are happy with, but don't know how, you might find this book helpful in clarifying some inner issues.
Here's to learning new ways to live life more beautifully...
Brenda
xox
I have found myself there several times and right now I am there again! Good picture of what it's like.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that where we all find ourselves at some points in our lives -- betwixt and between?! Love the analogy. That's good food for thought.
ReplyDeleteAhh, the elephant, he's been to my place too on occasion.
ReplyDeleteI loved that book! The authors have some great insights, plus it was a fun read!
ReplyDeletei say if in doubt do a little of both...lol!
ReplyDeleteEach of your posts provides food for thought. How often I find myself between decisions. You shared an interesting insight with this illustration.
ReplyDeleteThank you soooooooo much, for telling me [in my comments] that the white print on my new deep blue background, is easy to read! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm liking the look of my blog for now. And it makes me feel so much better about keep it, to hear someone say that it is nottttt a *horror* to read. :-)
As you said, it's probably due to my making my print larrrrrrrrger. For now anyway. :-)
Gentle hugs...