different ways of thinking and knowing

Reflecting on today’s work day gives me a perfect example of different ways of thinking and knowing.  A coworker was showing me some very specific functions of our computer program that we use at work this morning. I could feel and see that he was surprised that I did not use some of the features we were reviewing. In my mind they were insignificant and unimportant. In his mind they were not. I believe he felt some type of superiority over others because of his technical knowledge. At the same time I was making value judgments about what I perceived as his lack of interpersonal skills. Neither one of us seemed to appreciate what the other was offering.

Who is to say what is more important or if that “more important” even exists? When we take time to reflect on what type of “thinking hat” we wear we can begin to see how that affects what we see, prioritize and experience and how others view us.  Reviewing Patterns of Thinking seems to remind us of this. The American model of “getting straight to the point” seems blunt, simple, aggressive and rude in comparison to other cultures.  Other cultures can seem repetitive, off topic, out of order in comparison to this form of communication and thinking.

The point is nobody should be caught up in value judgments believing one way of being, thinking, communicating is correct. What matters is that we continually reflect on our process and continually grow in appreciation and openness to the ways of others.

left and right brain discussion

 

It is important to understand our own strengths especially as we attempt to overcome obstacles. As we encounter these obstacles we balance the left and right brain. We use both critical and creative sides to solve problems, to get through our daily lives and to function in the world. We tap into the left brain to organize and the right brain for spontaneity.

Some of us excel or exist in one side more than the other. You know what I am talking about. You know the people who exist on one side of the brain all the time. There is the computer programmer who sounds like a robot, that is a left brainer and the mechanic who describes in detail each moving part of the motor, that is a left brainer. Then there is that far out hippy dreamer type, totally abstract, right brainer and the artist who relies on feelings and emotions to be creative, right brainer.  

Most of us exist somewhere in between or at least shift back and forth. As I create a list of my left and right brain strengths I begin to realize that I may be operating more within the mush in between the two. I have always recognized, with the help of others, my creative or right brain. I am a visual person, emotional, looking to see the bigger picture, the abstract, the dream world and like to live life as it comes.

After further review however there are parts of me that live in the left side. Before I can begin the creative process in anything I do I always straighten up, and organize. I line things up and make order out of my messes. I organize by color, shape, size and whatever else. I like to break things down into parts when I get a bit overwhelmed, tackle small sections and go from there. I have a sock drawer and a place set my keys when I come into the house.

I think the important part of all this left/right brain business is becoming more aware of how we function, recognizing not only our own strengths but the strengths of others as we try to get the most out of our lives and our experiences on this earth.