Article January 9, 1984 Issue

Improving the flow of thought

EVELYN M. S. DUCKETT

Unimpeded circulation is important in many human activities. Traffic needs to flow along the highways. Components need to flow along the conveyor belts. Cash needs to flow between producers and consumers. Trade needs to flow between nations.

When there is a stoppage or obstruction, however, the human reaction often is to push on more determinedly—to drive oneself and everyone else harder, either mentally or physically. But this approach tends to overreach itself, sooner or later, and to produce a bigger holdup and more frustration than ever.

The answer must be to go back to the attitudes of thought behind the situation. What is the mental culprit? Perhaps it's human will intransigently demanding its own way. Perhaps it's fear hanging back and opting out of responsibility. Perhaps it's apathy wanting to do nothing at all. Perhaps it's contentiousness, continually at odds with everyone else.

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