So, it seems like we keep chasing stability in life - the end to the questions, the uncertainty, the worries, the stress. And I've been feeling pretty stable in the past few months, until Ford announced that they were going to have more layoffs. Now, I don't know if I'm going to be affected and am not really worrying a ton about my job, since I figure I can find something else, but it has made me think about whether there ever will be stability and what stability looks like.
I've also just completed my first class towards my PhD! It was a systems thinking course, founded in several different theorist's work but overall condemning reductionism as a the cure-all method for finding solutions in this world. So, by reductionism, I mean the Newtonian approach to explaining the world around us that started even well before Newton got hit on the head and wanted to figure out what made that apple fall. We take problems or situations we can't explain, break them down into small parts and once we can explain the small parts think that we have completely explained the whole. Now, having been a engineer I am all for analysis to try to explain the world around us. Many technologies that I am grateful for have come about through reductionist research and discovery (like microwaves and this computer). But so many things in my life an studies continue to convince me that we are seeking some ultimate answer that doesn't exist. We always think THE answer lies over the hill of the next experiment, the next breakthrough. But, then it seems like we just have more questions the more we learn. And in life it certainly seems like I know less and less the more I learn and experience.
So, the answer is . . . embrace chaos! I've decided that the only certainty is chaos and the potential for new order and new life - thus, I live by embracing the potential and learning to live in faith, knowing that there is someone that understands what looks like a swirling storm to me but may just be the way to make me something different. The moments in my life when I have struggled or failed have consistently come when I think I have to know something for certain, or I embrace the known failure for fear of the unknown chaos - and that fear is one of the driving factors in so many struggles I see at work and society.
So . . . although I am trying to embrace chaos, I hope that I don't get immersed in it all at once . . . so baby steps as I give up the dream of stability.
1 comment:
I love the bashing of reductionism as it pertains to human life and meaning! I have to fight against that constantly as many reduce their lives and behaviors to single acts and generalizing that act to the rest of their lives, as well some psychological theories reducing human meaning to genetics or the environment.
I myself am a chaos fan as well. I don't know if you've actually looked into chaos theory but it has some very interesting ideas about dealing with and understanding chaos. While all mortal theories necessarily have their holes and flaws, there's some interesting parallels with Gospel Doctrine. When I work wtih clients who feel out of control, or those who are afraid to take risks, I use the term controlled chaos. This paradoxical statement lets them deal with putting some bounds upon the chaos they feel or create. We liken it to a controlled burn. It's chaotic and somewhat unpredictable, but it has purpose and meaning. Anyway, that was probably too much info that can easily bore!
Debbie was really excited to get your message that you called and feels bad that she still hasn't called back. It's been rather crazy these past couple of weeks as we prepare to move this Thursday. But once we get there, we'll have a week before my internship starts to ease into Colorado life, so hopefully Debbie will make some time to destress and give you a ring.
I hope that you don't lose your job due to the layoffs. That sounds intense and I hope it works out for the best for you. Do you have any backup plan? Since you you started your Ph.D. program, I'm assuming that you would likely stick around if Ford didn't work out but I really have no idea about your progam's flexibility.
Anyway, loved the blog today!
Love,
RD
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