Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Thoughts- On a Tuesday Afternoon

Isn't it amazing how one photo or experience can provoke such a remarkable thought process?

I have a question on this Tuesday afternoon, and it's also linked to a story for an image offered by Margaret and her friend Sue and posted by Elephant's Child for Words on Wednesday.
(Where we're encouraged to write.)

In unexpected situations,
Should we jump to conclusions?

 Do past experiences cause us to jump to conclusions quicker than we wish sometimes? Here are my thoughts beginning from childhood.










"Every human has four endowments-
 self awareness, conscience, independent will, and creative imagination. 
These give us the ultimate human freedom.
 The power to choose, to respond, to change."
Stephen Covey

Case in Point

(A snowy example.)



Markus Zusak said-
"A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship."
(said nobody ever, in my life.- Me)


BLACK BOOTS, BROWN BOOTS
Without fail, especially after a heavy day of perfect snowball making white-stuff touched down, it begged our adventurous nature, to form two teams for competition. We were collectively known as the Black Boots and the Brown Boots.

For awhile.

Until someone ruined it for the majority.

Our young lives discovered quickly,
 some good things eventually come to a bitter end.


"The productive approach to a mistake is to acknowledge instantly, correct and learn from it."
Markus Zusak

Essentially, the object of our Black Boots, Brown Boots game was to throw snowballs at each other, after dark, once the headlights of oncoming vehicles flooded the streets and yards.  If you were captured by the light you were instantly vaporized and out of the game.

It was a frolicking good time until, that one child decided to fling a hard pressed snowball at an oncoming car.

Ultimately, that one faulty throw brought the end of Black Boots, Brown Boots as we knew it.
But our story was a lucky one, without harm to anyone.  Not to be the case for a few teenagers elsewhere.

"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships."
Stephen Covey


Naturally, there was more to the dissolution of our game
 and what once was productive play.

A new age of brick tossing, followed by boulders, came into play when a few teenagers decided to throw them off highway overpasses, aimed at passing vehicles.  Of course, they explained their actions as simply, childish pranks, and supposedly were initiated as practical jokes.  But, lives were lost in the process.  

Look Before you jump to conclusions.




This Photo image for and by
Words for Wednesday and
Margaret and Sue.

We store our experiences until eventually something will trigger them into play like a recent experience I had while driving in Alabama.



My grand-daughter and I were en route to a city park for us to investigate when thump, or rather BANG! went something against our car.
Of course, everything but creative imagination went into play in my mind, but Lyra's response was epic and clearly of her own free will as a youngster.

"What was that?" I asked.
"Oh grandma, it was probably just an apple falling from a tree."

How refreshing that was, and pretty accurate, since I didn't see a live soul anywhere.  

What a carefree way to be, wouldn't you agree?

Sometimes, it's very important not to be so serious.

Maybe Samuel said it best.
"Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises."
Samuel Butler









20 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

pranks can become dangerous and tragic, sadly. hoping you enjoy your autumn days.

Sue said...

A very thought-provoking post. When my husband and I were young and driving through a "bad" side of town, someone threw a brick at our windshield. Luckily, my husband had great reflexes back then, and we avoided a crash.

The other day (like you) something hit my care while I was driving, and my immediate reaction was to think: bullet. I exclaimed, "What was that???" and my son replied, "I think it was an acorn."

Elephant's Child said...

Love this.
We do (well I do) jump to conclusions far too often. Sometimes it forms a significant part of my exercise. Sadly, the conclusions I jump to are often negative - something to work on. Thank you.

Christine said...

Oh I know all about two teams having a throwing contest and it ended badly when my cousin nearly lost an eye! Such was our thoughtlessness in the name of fun.
Very thought provoking post.

humbird said...

Familiar with 'throwing' situation.This programming to defence, the choice of games kids're playing all provide the risk...it's right: don't jump to reaction/conclusion, take a pause and see what the second thought...~ Thanks for visiting/commenting, Karen! I took also some 'scarecrow' photos. Fun!

Denise said...

awesome pictures

Cloudia said...

much to chew on, Karen





ALOHA
ComfortSpiral

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Rose said...

I think we cannot help but jump to conclusions if it is similar to something we have experienced. I think it is instinct. But hopefully, we will stop and think before acting on that conclusion...

River said...

I sometimes wonder if jumping to conclusions shouldn't be named as a national sport; so many people do it so often.

River said...

I sometimes wonder if jumping to conclusions shouldn't be named as a national sport; so many people do it so often.

Martin said...

Plenty of food for thought here, Karen.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I definitely conclude -Killroy

sage said...

I think we jump to quick conclusions when we experience something is based on survival skills that have been hardwired into our psyche. Good thoughts, for we often jump to the wrong conclusion!

eileeninmd said...

It can be sad when we jump first to the wrong conclusions. I like your granddaughter explanation of the apple falling from the tree. Great post and images! Enjoy and have a happy day!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Very thought provoking. I do think that past experiences make a play in jumping to conclusions. I remember a time when teenagers threw rocks off an overpass and people in a car beneath were killed or injured. I remember it happening to the father of a girl that I know, luckily, he wasn't injured though his windshield was broken. I think it is a good thing to learn from these experiences. I know not to touch a hot stove because once upon a time I burned my hand. All of that being said, we do need to be very careful not to turn these "lessons" of the past into judgements about other people....not all teenagers throw rocks at cars, for example. Great post.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Love River's comment, so true! I try not to but sometimes it's impossible :) As for the stone throwing off bridges it happens here now and then also, I just don't understand the mentality.. As always a thought provoking post Karen.

Gail said...

If we could only keep the mind of a child in our observations of life...

Wonderful thoughts.

Debbie said...

this is thought provoking!!! thoughts from a pure mind!!!

Saucy Siciliana said...

I don't like pranks, you never know how they will turn out. I have to say I jump to conclusions all the time, I am not a deep thinker:)

Jeanie said...

I think with me it depends on how quickly I need to react. If a quick reaction is required, I'm inclined to leap. But if there is information coming and continually changing or more time to think, I am far more likely to wait.

No matter what, you stated and illustrated it all perfectly!