Habits

Point of View

Watching a concert pianist from the keyboard’s point of view offers insight into their talents. If we always observe events from the same viewpoint or sit in the same seats, we are missing out on gaining additional perspectives. As a former collegiate cross-country skier, I recall that the NCAA champion skier on our team would preview the final kilometer of the race course by skiing it in reverse before turning around and skiing it as we raced. He gained more understanding of the course profile by seeing it backward before practicing it forward.

How might we seek out new points of view to better understand the place we occupy? How might we remain curious even when our patterns are habitual?

Obsolete?

Ubiquitous activities form habits. Some daily acts are not as safe or efficient was one imagines. UPS encourages its drivers to avoid left-turns. A sign I encountered (above image*) requested vehicles turn-off their headlights at night. Standing still rather than fleeing is a better defense against certain predators. All of these might feel counter-intuitive.

How often do we question our habits? Which ones continue to serve us and produce the outcomes we intend. Which acts are convenient but produce more risk or unintended outcomes? It is challenging work but sometimes the result of changing patterns are extraordinary.

* The headlight request was courtesy of the Sky Center Observatory facility on Mt. Lemmon, AZ.