6/29/2010

Linear Thinking



The phrase "Linear Thinking" comes up often in the thoughts that I think.
I believe that the mold was broken in my family, when I, the fourth and final child, popped out of my mother's by then weary womb.
My siblings are linear thinkers all. They know how to get from A to
B to C to D .. and all the way to Z...one determined step at a time.

They have successfully climbed their respective ways to the top of their personal flights of stairs, and this is all good.
Then there's me!

Sometimes guilty of being flighty, and drawn to the cock of the walk. Sometimes just plain feather brained. And sometimes, rather chaotic in my thinking. I, unlike my siblings, do not go from A to Z in an orderly fashion.
No I do not.
I love to mix things up, throw caution to the wind, and  see what lands if you turn sideways.



I remember being in grade school - round about 10 years old, and the teacher (Miss Wushke) asked  the class to list all the things one could do with a  brick.
Thinking it was a test of some kind, I tossed, and turned and perculated on the question, and ultimately came up with 130 uses for a brick. It wasn't a contest.
But she was amazed. And half the class wouldn't speak to me after that, as I had officially crossed the LINE. I was a school geek girl.
Shit.

Thus began a life long attempt to build bridges with others who think differently. Not better. Not worse. Just different.
Sometimes I find ways to bridge the gaps, and sometimes, I don't know zip.

The thrill is in the seeking. Crossing lines of my choosing.
And exploring some of the many paths between A and Z.
Let'er Zip!


8 comments:

Snail said...

Where's the fun in going from A to Z along a well-defined path?! Where's the discovery?

Bill S. said...

Great post!!!!!

There are a lot of us "trial and error" folks out there. But I believe that we are the ones that make life interesting and the world to go around.

Murr Brewster said...

The problem, for me, with going from A to Z is there are so many shiny, shiny letters in between.

faye said...

Wonderful post and superb
photos to tie it all together.
Another good read and photos
to wind down the day.

Katie (Nature ID) said...

I can relate. I'm constantly editing my blog with unrealistic hopes to not offend anyone. I'm particularly good a burning bridges, rather than building them. Another great post, Susan!

jabblog said...

The world needs lateral thinkers - they're the ones who imagine how things might be different - and more successful.
Great photos - 130 things to do with a brick? That's got me thinking.

DUTA said...

Wow! 130 uses of a brick? That's a lot.
I'm afraid I'm the kind of person who would have liked to go smoothly from A to Z, but life wanted otherwise for me. I don't think we , humans have much control over this.

Anyway, this is a thought-provoking post with great pictures.

FAB said...

130 uses for a brick?..I'd probably still be thinking about it and wandering off at a tangent...just as well we aren't all alike..Lol.
Great post and pics Susan.