The Decision Making Triumvirate

Each day we face numerous decisions.  Whether or not to get up, what to eat, how to respond in conversation, and the list goes on.  Scores of choices on a daily basis.  Some menial, some perfunctory, and some of greater magnitude.

But it is the life changing decisions- those that cause us to pause, inhale deeply, and wonder what to do next when they arise- that require a great deal of our time and energy.  One of the most uniquely distinguishing traits among humans is how we make these decisions.  The reasoning (or sometimes lack thereof) behind these choices is essential to defining who we are.  The process we take when exploring these crossroads is indicative of our values, beliefs, and relationships- or, from a holistic perspective, they are the architecture of the individual.  

As I have further embraced the lifestyle of the “examined life”, I have identified three different forces that contribute to my decision making process: the gut, the head, and the heart (in order of typical emergence).  A decision making triumvirate.
   
The gut.  It can most accurately be defined as my impulsive and initial reaction (emanating from the gut- hence the name).  It is the potent voice that screams loud when the initial decision emerges.  Often times the choice that appears is the product of the gut’s criteria.  It is apparent and unequivocal.  It provides a clear course of action and it seems, at the time, it is the most desirable option.    

The head.  This factor is rooted in logic.  It is the logos filter of the triumvirate.  It is where all the options are micro-analyzed and weighed on the merits.  Frequently the choices will be ranked by their affect on practical circumstances: how will it influence my income, free-time, relationships, etc.  Each option is explored multiple times and often ad nauseum.  While there is often some clarity following this factor, it usually does not singularly drive a decision.

The heart.  While the heart shares some of the emotional intensity of the gut, it is the chronological significance in the decision making process that differentiates this factor.  It usually comes at the end of the decision making lifecycle.  It is the continuous yet subtle feeling that consumes my consciousness and often seems like it should be the final decision.  

Each of these factors has value.  It is only through deep, focused reflection over past decisions that I am able to understand the role that each factor has in my decision making process.  While each of these factors could play a role in my choices, they will probably never wield an equal influence during the process (i.e. a decision might be made primarily with my gut reaction with only minimal consideration from my head and heart).     

The challenge is to not let one factor unduly influence a choice.  I find the Aristotelian theory of the Golden Mean applicable, and believe balance is critical to making the most effective decision (we will avoid the deeper philosophical question on whether there is such thing as a “good” decision).

The most tantalizing aspect is witnessing what criteria will trigger a specific factor during a decision.  Given the inherent variance of every decision, it is expected and logical that one of the three factors will have more resonance with me than the others.  

Ultimately, in life it is our actions that define us.  They are the telling, personal indications that create our persona- our being.  Behind our actions is the choices the drive us to action.  The essence of living is taking on these choices and moving forward with action.  

I believe a key to moving closer to enlightenment is understanding the decisions we make.  They will continue to come at us but through reflection and meditation we can learn why we make the choices we do.  And with this knowledge we can more effectively navigate the tough decisions that will inevitably arise.       

Running through Forrest Gump

I had the recent misfortune to find myself extremely ill (thus partially explaining the delay from my last post).  However one night during the height of the sickness, I stumbled upon the classic movie “Forrest Gump” on TV.  I watched the entire movie and like re-reading one of your favorite books I observed things in the movie that I had not previously noticed- specifically the relationship between running and the protagonist, Forrest. 

Each time Forrest runs during the film signifies a transformational moment for his character.  Originally, I thought that running was used to represent significant change in Forrest’s character but upon further thought I changed my opinion because the character of Forrest stays relatively static throughout the movie.  Running helps progress his story but not his actual character.    

From the early scenes of the movie, it becomes apparent that running will be a defining trait in Forrest’s character.  One of the primary challenges that Forrest faces in his life is a physical impairment that forces him to walk in braces throughout his childhood.  This ailment and obstacle is defeated in the memorable scene when Forrest literally breaks out of his leg braces and runs away from a gang of bullies. 

It is running that also carries Forrest into his next adventure- college.  He is able to parlay is gifted speed into a college football scholarship.  Following college he enrolls in the Army where,       prior to his departure to Vietnam, Jenny (his love interest and leading character in the film) gives him the simple yet prudent advice to “just run” if he finds himself in trouble.  

Forrest takes this advice to heart and his final experience in military combat culminates in Forrest running many of his comrades to safety – a heroic act that saves them from an eminent jungle bombing. 

The running symbol reaches the crescendo when Forrest‘s life is at its emotional peak.  Following his death of his mother and one of his best friends (Bubba) and the denial of his marriage proposal to Jenny, Forrest embarks on a literal cross country run.  On this run his gains international acclaim and a troupe of followers.  However, the explanation for his run is never explicably stated.

As an avid runner and someone who believes in the therapeutic power of a good jog, I greatly enjoyed this use in the movie and was surprised that I had never previously recognized it.  Almost in tandem with the footsteps of Forrest, the movie drives forward every time he takes off in a sprint.  Why did the director choose to use this as a device to move the film forward?  I have several theories.

The first is that is that since running is so primal and universal, it is easily relatable to a widespread audience.  Whether you are a habitual runner or can count the number of times you have broke into a run on one hand- everyone has done it and/or knows of it.  It is the single most defining skill of all athletics.  Therefore this identifiable aspect helps the audience understand that the director is using it is as a symbol to transformation surrounding the character of Forrest.    

The second is that running is an ideal tool to illustrate change.  A viewer can easily associate that when Forrest is on the move, the film (plot) is on the move as well.  The continuous use of this device elevates the symbol into a motif that builds throughout the film until eventually the director uses it to convey one the most significant developments in the movie (Forrest’s cross country run). 

When discussing these ideas with one of my most trusted advisors (my father), he proposed a theory of his own: running brings the mind to a heightened sense of consciousness which allows it to conquer the inevitable challenges of life.  To fully explore this theory, my dad compared his idea to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  The visual representation of this theory manifests itself in a triangle formation where the highest level of consciousness, self-actualization, sits atop.  The importance of the triangle is the understanding that it is increasingly “difficult” to attain each higher level of the pyramid.  The theory also stipulates that to reach each additional level, one must meet the demands of the current level. 

His alteration of Maslow’s theory and the correlation through running was appropriately connected to character of Forrest.  As mentioned, Forrest remains largely static and uni-dimensional in the film but through running his character moves forward (literally and figuratively).  This is most apparent when he uses running for mental/spiritual healing (the cross country run) when he faces an emotionally tumultuous period in his life.  In short, during his final run Forrest finds peace. 

The relation to Maslow?  Contrary to the upward and more difficult movement in Maslow’s theory, my father proposed that physical enlightenment (say the type that is attained through an epic run) is necessary to achieve mental and spiritual enlightenment.  All levels are on a more equal playing field (rather than the triangular formation, it is more a circular formation) and each aspect/level is continuously interacting with each other.  Rather than accomplishing one level and moving to the next, each level is constantly affecting the others (whatever they may be). 

Simply put: physical enlightenment is essential to holistic enlightenment (self actualization in Maslow’s terms).  I enjoy and identify with this theory because I have felt the positive effects of a good run radiate into many different levels in my life, and it is so poignantly and subtlety portrayed in Forrest Gump, that I find it particular enjoyable.     

The Necessity of Adversity

When I was leaving the gym recently, I was struck with a series of thoughts that ultimately led me to this concept- the necessity of adversity.

Let’s rewind and explore how I got there and why I believe in this idea.  When I was growing up, I was fortunate enough to be placed in situations that allowed me to succeed.  What I mean by this is that I participated in activities that highlighted my natural abilities and allowed me to be a high achiever.

The first activity this became apparent to me was the athletic realm.  Although my father enrolled me in youth soccer when I was four, it was not until I was about seven that I began to understand that I was naturally talented in the sport (and various other sports as soccer skills have a widespread applicability many other sports). 

Objectively, it would be fair to say that I was probably one of the top players on my teams throughout my childhood.  I also transferred my athletic prowess onto the football field and became a successful high school football player.  Moreover, I was blessed with the skills needed to succeed academically and I parlayed these into acceptance into a respected college. 

In college I continued my trajectory of success in academics, athletic, and the social world.  In short, life was good and I had all the right makings for a successful individual (and many people reinforced this). 

Armed with a healthy ego and a history lacking failure, I entered my senior year of college assuming I would continue to excel in the “real” post college world.  I really didn’t think there was another option.   

Yet, despite these natural skills and abilities, I was missing one vital experience.  Adversity.  Success had become so ingrained in my life that it began to feel like an inherent trait.  It is not.  It is a practiced habit.    

Let’s fast forward to when I was one year out of college.  Jobless.  Lonely.  Not competing in athletics.  And, at times, downright questioning myself.  I had unintentionally (well maybe subconsciously) went on a hunt for adversity, and I had found it in spades. 

And now I can say that period was one of the most crucial experiences in my life.  At the most basic level, this challenging period in my life forced a personal reflection like no other I had ever had.  It was in this reflection that I was able to have my first valuable encounter with adversity.  My natural skills I had relied on all my life appeared to be rendered useless.  I was fighting a competitor that I had never seen and one that I was not sure I could beat.  But I did.    

From an evolutionary standpoint, humans are animals designed to survive.  There is a universal instinct that lies within every person – a resilient and driving force enables us to keep fighting when the odds are against us.  This force shines brightest when it is tested most.  If it is never truly tested, one will never know their true capabilities. 

Everyone has unique traits but a key determining and distinguishing factor in life is how one responds to adversity.  Recall the Buddhist truth that life is suffering.  Those that have stared adversity in the face and not retreated are more conditioned to accept this truth and ultimately succeed in life.   

When leaving the gym, I looked over the people working out.  None of them knew (or cared) about my successful athletic background.  It still causes some dissonance that this one skill that seemed so important when I was younger has greatly faded from my persona.  But it was only through my first real encounter with adversity that I was able to reflect and find a way to overcome that battle.  Yes, I did use many of my natural skills and abilities (each person must play to their strengths) but I did not use them in the traditional sense.  This was one reason why this was challenging; the old tricks I had used to succeed in the past just weren’t working.  Adversity forced me to come up with a new way of thinking and living.    

It is true that I will face adversity again.  It is also true that it will come in new and more daunting forms.  However, I can say that am now more prepared the meet it.