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Rock Creek Awakens 

Walks in my neighborhood take me past walls that made me think about the way we construct our lives. I spoke to a few home owners who confirmed my suspicion that walls mimic the way their owners think, and though my study is flawed since my sample is small, there may be some truth to what I saw. I was reminded that we spend years assembling life's puzzle in order to stand firm and strong. The pieces we pick up vary in size, some hard with jagged edges while others are soft and smooth. They often are intertwined and have to be pulled apart before being fitted into the puzzle. This is done in accord with the way our brains work.

As toddlers, we ascend steps to quarries filled with solid pieces that were shaped through the ages. Our parents hold our hands until we are old enough to carry a load and assemble the pieces on our own. At first we step cautiously, not sure of what we will find or if we will be able to grasp and hold on to the irregular forms. We're attracted to white marble that sits on top reflecting sunlight but notice vulcanized lava hiding below in dark, dreary crevices. It makes us afraid. We want to dig it out and throw it away.

When older, we are anxious, yet excited to go by ourselves to gather the pieces needed for our puzzle. We start by following the path our parents set out for us, but when the time is right we start to think on our own and begin to gather, shape and build the wall as we want it to be. Some of us cut the pieces in squares and rectangles, making neat edges so they can  easily be piled on top of one another and arranged in rigid formations. Those a bit more venturesome try circles.

  No matter, for the way we think leads us to set each shape, size and color in a designated place that follows lists, goals, and maps we laid out in advance. As the puzzle comes  together we examine it carefully and see to details to make sure nothing is out of place. Odd shaped pieces are chiseled until they fit correctly—comfortably. 

When an unexpected piece suddenly appears to  disturb the layout, we are upset until we find a way to put the pattern in order again. We tie pieces together with mortar so they won’t stray. Their rigid structure makes us feel secure. It defines what is right and good and let’s us know how powerful we are, how perfect. We can stand atop its strong foundation. 

Then there are those of us who don’t think in straight lines, but explore many possible ways to put pieces together to build our walls. Though we see the big picture, to get  there we let our imagination go wild and select pieces randomly, allowing patterns to emerge. 

We view each heavy bolder and light pebble as unique, and look for unusual ways to join them together so they'll be sturdy enough to create a pleasing whole. Odd shaped holes are no bother for we know the puzzle will get filled in over time with the stones we trip over as we walk. They are gems to be collected so that when their wisdom is revealed they add meaning to our puzzle. 

  Some of us view what we do as organic for we blend hard objects of varying shapes and sizes and intermingle them with soft plowed earth and fragrant wild flowers. Though our divergent  method may appear chaotic, it fulfills the same goal as that held by linear thinkers. Our random approach creates a beauty that differs, is all. 

  Many of us use a hybrid approach to think outside-the-box. We combine a little of this and little of that. Our approach is indirect and creative, not immediately obvious and can’t be obtained by traditional step-by-step logic. By the time we finished our puzzle we’ve combined different shapes and sizes and made sure they fit tightly together.

The task of life is to put a puzzle together that gives us the strength to stand firm in the wind. Linear or convergent thinkers uses logic, rules and rationality to solve problems. They use a thought process that follows known cycles or step by step progression. A response is elicited before the next step is taken. Linear thinkers use a singular thought process leading toward completion while ignoring possibilities and alternatives. It is focused, sequential and methodical.

Divergent Thinkers generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. Their thoughts tend to be free flowing and spontaneous. After exploring alternative ideas, unexpected connections are drawn that are used to satisfy goals.

Lateral thinkers, first coined by Dr. Edward de Bono, solve problems by using both and indirect and creative approach. Their thoughts move between classic step-by-step problem solving and brainstorming. They use reasoning that is not immediately obvious and often pursue ideas that are not obtainable. Their desire is to think from a new perspective. Lateral thinkers start with a known idea with a goal of creating new ideas. To do so they look for possibilities and alternative ways of solving problems. There experience starts and stops as they go down dead end paths before trying another approach. When an idea does takes form it is usually plugged into linear plans.

The picture below is the wall in front of a 60 year old house that was occupied by several owners, three of whom added to the structure of the wall. It is interesting to surmise the way the three went about building their lives.

References:

  Teachthought Staff (2018) Three Modes of thinking: Lateral, Divergent & Convergent Thought. Teachthought. retrieved from https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/3-modes-of-thought-divergent-convergent-thinking/

de Bono,E. . What is Lateral Thinking. Dr. Edward de Bono’s web site.  retrieved from https://www.edwddebono.com/lateral-thinking

Team ZipRecruiter(2017)  How Lateral Thinking Can Help Your Career. Columbus Dispatch. retrieved from https://www.dispatch.com/ZZ/news/20171117/how-lateral-thinking-can-help-your-career

Lluks, H. MD (2017)Vertical vs Lateral thinking in Healthcare. retrieved from https://www.howardluksmd.com/medical-social-media/vertical-vs-lateral-thinking-in-healthcare/

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