The Probity Post

I’m currently reading the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s been out for four years (2005) so I’m sure most of you have already read it—ok I’m late to the Gladwellian party. The reason I bought it (on my Kindle of course) is because I just finished reading Malcolm’s most recent book “Outliers” (currently #2 on the NY times top 10 best seller list). I was so taken by Outliers that I trusted that Malcolm wouldn’t let me down with his previous outing—and so far he hasn’t. I want to meet this guy! He’s a GREAT writer and man, does he do the research! Here’s a video of Malcolm:

MALCOLM GLADWELL: WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Anyway, I’m only about three chapters into the book and I’m starting to really get what my new friend Malcolm means by “Blink.”  It refers to that instant or moment when we find ourselves absolutely in the presence of the truth and we have a “blink” of an opportunity to go with it or not. Some call it instinct, others call it a hunch, I happen to like the beautiful word “intuition.” However Malcolm calls it a “blink.” Like “in the blink of an eye.”

Here’s a personal example: My friend Dan was telling me about a guy he’s thinking about doing a project with—a big project. He said on the one hand he’s ready to clinch the deal because logic and reason indicate that the project would succeed. On the other hand he’s not 100% sure the guy is trustworthy. I told him that my new friend Malcolm says that you already KNOW if this guy is trustworthy and in fact you already KNOW if the deal will be rewarding (or not) for you and everyone else involved. And you KNEW it the minute you met him and took the first meeting. It all happened within milliseconds inside the quantum neurons and bosons of your brain and the TRUTH was delivered to you quicker than you could loosen your grip on that first handshake.

However, I believe that most of us do NOT follow that first intuitive moment of truth and rely instead on research, knowledge, investigation and contemplation until we are left with even more uncertainty then when we started—simply because we don’t trust our “gut reaction.” We seem to need more opinion from others or info from a book or factual data in order to make an intelligent decision. Nancy and I did that when we bought our bed. Buying a bed these days is like trying to choose a suntan lotion, THERE’S JUST TOO DAMN MANY! Anyway my back hurts just talking about the bed we ended up buying. We should have just followed my first “blink” of truth and bought the “Sleep-Number” bed, instead of the one where the guy says, “Or Your Mattress is Freeeee!”
THE FORCE
The idea of following my intuition (without hesitation) has always reminded me of the original Star wars movie. I’ve seen it 2-3 times over the years. Never bothered with the sequels because I loved the original so much I didn’t want to see such a perfectly written script get homogenized by the Hollywood machine.

Anyway, whenever I see that movie I hang on to every word uttered by Obie-Wan Kenobie’s profound teaching of truth: to always “Let The Force Be With ME.”

Kenobies’ words (actually they were George Lucas’s) remind me to always TRUST my own instinct and intuition, and have faith in that bigger part of me that has the ability to ALWAYS recognize the truth. Whether it’s personal, business or political.

The film and the Blink book remind me once again, to consistently re-visit that autonomous place of independence and freedom within me. That place where my illusive “creative spirit” resides—the abode of my intuition. It reminds me to TRUST my “good ideas” and to follow my spirit, without hesitation, in the direction IT wants to go. It tells me who to trust and who to avoid, what street to go down and what products to buy—or not.  I’ve always relied on it for business deals and unfortunately, sometimes I haven’t always listened. It also reminds me (without kindness) to check my ego, drop my act, re-write the story of my future and to pursue my dreams with steadfast confidence and reckless abandon.

Finally, both the Blink book and the Star Wars film remind me to always acknowledge the (Divine) Force within me, that (holy) spirit within me. To honor it and invite THAT powerful Force to “stand with me” in my ultimate quest for fearless confidence, ruthless integrity and peace of mind. And to not “blink” when I’m in the sacred presence of the truth.

Like I said, I’m only about three chapters into the book.

I’m curious to know:
- Has your intuition ever failed you?
- Do you see much of a difference between your intuition and your mind?
- When the words and pictures in your head are competing for your attention with judgments and doubt, how do you make the distinction between your intuition and your mind?

Peace & Love
Michael