Thinking is highly overrated. Most people I know rarely do it. I myself find it quite limiting. Thinking simply limits your opportunity for adventure.  let me explain with a few examples.

Driving

 Men have a one track mind. In my opinion that makes them potentially better drivers. If and only if they are thinking about driving while they are driving. If their mind is tracked on other things it is no more than an reflex action to start a car and place it in gear and steering is only to avoid hitting something, not necessarily to get some place.

 Most people just don't think when they are driving. I blame this on the point that most men don't want to be driving and would prefer the option of "beaming" to the store to get food. But if that technology was already available then the food could be "beamed" right to my coffee table in front of the TV.

 But that is not the case and often I am given a choice. "Go to the store or watch the kids while I go." I always think my options through when given a choice and will ask "What are the kids doing?" If they are awake or home I am going to the store with a smile.

Now comes the conflict, my track is still on the couch. Often when I have left home after driving for about 10 min. and my surroundings no longer look familiar, the same question always comes to mind; "Where am I going?" and usually I keep driving in the same direction, hoping for some inspiration.

 Now let me tell you about The Mobile phone. It was created by men too lazy to find a pay phone and too proud to ask for directions. So I use my phone and call home, but I am no fool! I am not going to ask; "Where am I going?" I don't want anyone to know I am lost. So now I think (only at a time of necessity) and I  politely ask "Was there anything else you wanted me to get dear?"

Now I don't know If she knows I'm lost but most of the time she gives me enough information to get the original assigned task completed with a helpful response; "No, Just Milk." I am saved! kind of.

I respond "Ok, that's all I got" and now need a reason why its going to take me 15 min to get home from the store that is only 1 mile away from the house. So I think again; "Well I need to stop for gas." which is most likely true, part because its the quickest place to buy milk, and because I need gas, I have been driving around for 30 min.

I could summerize but I think its painfully obvious. I just spent $4.75 on a gallon of  milk, pumped in $8.00 of gas to top off the tank and missed 30 min. of TV that could have all been avoided if I would have been left on the couch, in front of the TV, where I started.

Copyright © Sept 1998 by Robert Fonnesbeck