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Today's Reflection

Our default state of mind – the state that psychological research proves is predominantly negative, primarily subconsciously focused in our long-gone formative years and an abject failure in focusing on the reality of the here and now – means that, more often than not, we are reactive creatures, constantly knee-jerk reacting, not to what is actually going on but, to what our muddled cluttered minds thinks is going on.

In times of economic boom, however unrelated to reality aspects of that boom might have been, our reactive state of mind proved to be no big deal to most of us.  We jollied along on a wave of collective relative comfort – what Stanford University’s Philip Zimbardo has aptly described as the herd mentality.   When many, myself included, explained that our perceived success was only relative to a pathetic normal norm and that true peace of mind and effortless success requires that we break away from the herd, most were too comfortable (or, perhaps more aptly, not  uncomfortable enough) to care – to care about themselves, their loved ones and the possibility that a completely different level of success was staring them in the face if they chose to open their eyes.

Well, times have changed, the wheel has turned and people are feeling the pressure.  Faith was placed in money, property and investment portfolios, big bonuses and bigger cars – it was perceived to be admirable to be part of the herd – mindless reactive behaviour was OK!

Mindless reactive behaviour, the kind of behaviour that comes so naturally to normal adults that they think nothing of it, got us to where we are – but will not do now that the going’s got a little tough.   The herd is currently morose, in a stupor of inability to take concrete action.  The herd always was this way, but now it hurts. 

This Week's Recommended Read - The Book of Stress Survival

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