I read this passage recently from the work of a gifted writer. I find it intriguing, unconventional, and thought-provoking. In fact, I find it so intriguing that I read it almost daily on my bus ride to work, just to give it some dedicated pondering time.
"Those who cannot see, strive for a goal. We are not goal-oriented. Rather, we are potential-oriented. Instead of one destination, we are interested in options that may exist. We are not interested in a single path to a single place, but the many potentials we can envision."
My first reaction was an ounce of defensiveness, a dash of curiosity, peppered with a teaspoon of confusion. Of COURSE I am goal-oriented. Being goal-oriented is universally valued as a positive, mature, employable quality and I pride myself for being a poster child. Short term goals, long term goals, measurable goals, Big Hairy Audacious Goals. To say that I am goal-oriented because I "cannot see" is like saying I'm...stupid. No wonder my knee-jerk reaction was defensiveness. Being goal-oriented is how I was brought up: Have a goal and relentless strive for it. When I achieve the goal it is called "success." If I don't, well, that's just a matter of time and my stick-to-itiveness. Don't give up. Eyes on the post. Persevere.
I missed the whole point of the quote by letting my ego and emotions do all the talking but my brain, none of the thinking.
I applied the conventional goal-oriented principle on almost everything I did while growing up, and on some of the things I do: My schooling, my piano competitions, my grades, my education, my jobs, my career, my retirement planning, what I want to accomplish this weekend, my archery practice, my baking projects... "Goals are guide posts and without them, one is sure lost!" What if I was taught differently? To be not limited by goals but to embrace the possibilities beyond goal achievement? To not believe the absolute but to explore endlessly? In other words, to consider the potential of options but not the single path to a single place?
I apply the notion "potential of options" here to include conventional and religious beliefs, not just ordinary achievable goals. My intention is not to offend anyone, but to merely challenge the potential of "what if" rather than the automatic acceptance of the absolute.
For many who believe in the one true god - whichever religion associated with the belief - instead of insisting the one single place through the one single path, what if we simply allow ourselves to envision the potential of options? What if their children are encouraged and expected to explore other religious options? What if there is no "truth" but merely facts? What if the "sanctity" of marriage has nothing to do with "a man and a woman?" What if "sanctity" is really just a made-up religious term with the sole purpose of exerting control over the masses? What if the benefits resulting from non-goal-setting far exceeds the destination of goal-achievement? What if education around the world focuses on possibilities and potentials instead of achievements? What if nations become collaborative and cooperative, rather than combative, and forgo the arrogant notion of "leadership?"
Goals are not the culprits; goal-setting is not the problem. To me, goals are merely rest points along a multitude of activities in a continuum of time - like a rest stop on an interstate highway. By themselves, goals are powerless and meaningless.The attitude behind goal-setting makes all the difference. Given attention of the human mind, goals come alive and can become all-consuming. When a mind focuses on nothing but achieving a goal, or a single path to a single place, all peripheral potentials are ignored and they become "distractions." What if the peripheral potentials are far more interesting? What if the potentials bring so much more possibilities? We cannot see the potentials, if we are conditioned to always strive for the goal - if we fixate our eyes only on the post.
"Those who cannot see, strive for a goal."
We determine the amount of freedom for our mind. We can pamper our mind to pursue and believe in the absolute goal, or we can push it to explore the uncomfortable potentials.
