So, What's Your Figurability?

You have a problem or situation and you need to come up with a plan and resolution.  You need to find a solution or understand someone’s behavior.  You are trying to figure it out, that is, solve, understand and determine the appropriate outcome.  It is taking an abstract or complex issue or problem and finding a possible solution. That’s figurability.

What do you use to figure it out?  How does your mind work to give shape to an abstract or complex problem and have the shape become reality?  It is determining your method.  Some people make no decision and just let life happen.  They take no responsibility for what happens because they do not want any conflict so they ignore it hoping it will solve itself or just go away.  Never works.  It usually creates the conflict you are trying to avoid.  They never figure anything out and just let life take them wherever it does, and if there is a problem, it is pushed “under the rug” and never dealt with.  It causes one to stumble but then you avoid the area or person who caused it.

Now, going with the flow of life works for a while unless you get upset at the results and blame others.  What usually happens next is one just makes a random or quick decision.  Basically, a guess without facts or processing through the situation.  It is based on emotions and feelings or the avoidance of them.  You don’t want to feel any anxiety or take any responsibility, so you figure out what works best for you without any consideration of other people or the ramifications.

You may consult friends and family to receive their opinion and perspective.   Everyone will have an opinion which gives their slant on the issue and sometimes does not include all the facts.  You may put it out on social media and wait for all the views and the negativity you will receive.  Some people google it and let AI tell them the solution.  You may talk with a counselor and process through all the options.  You may pray and read the Bible to gain discernment.

You may seek expert advice based on the issue or problem.  If it is a legal issue, you consult a lawyer.  If it is a financial issue, you consult a financial advisor.  If it is a plumbing problem, you find a plumber.  It is admitting to yourself that sometimes you do not have the knowledge or skill to figure out a solution and need help.  This is accepting your limitations and being smart enough to know what you do not know.

When you are attempting to figure out a solution, do you trust yourself to make an informed and good decision?  Take your time.  Name your options.  Take the information you have acquired from experts and the opinions of people you trust.  Step away, if possible, to give your thoughts a rest and come back refreshed with a new perspective.  Pray, take a walk and look at nature and breathe in the fresh air and remind yourself of your priorities in figuring it out.

You may need to write out the problem and the options to see them on paper.  Then right down your solution.  Does it make sense?  Is it plausible? Can you do it?  Whose help do you need?  So, what’s your figurability?

Elaine J. Sturtz

Living In The Different

Check out Elaine’s website for her blog and previous columns – www.livinginthedifferent.com