Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson
Some thoughts on blindness
The Nobel prize-winning economist, Daniel Kahneman and his partner had been working on a problem for some time when suddenly they realized that the principle on which they were basing their research was flawed. And then they were faced by the larger question of why it had taken them—and many others before them—so long to notice this.
Kahneman finally came to the conclusion that this oversight was caused by what he called “theory induced blindness”. That is to say that we get an idea into our heads and follow it, even when it doesn’t lead us to where we want to go or give us the results we want to have. We don’t stop believing. We just say that this must be a strange situation that we can’t explain. And then we continue acting in the same manner.
There are ways we treat those around us that always end in arguments or disputes. But we don’t change the behaviour. We stick to it because we convince ourselves that next time it will work.
There are jobs we tackle over and over again that always end with frustration. But we never ask, “Is there a better way to do this?”
And yes, there are even religious beliefs that our Sunday school teachers may have taught us that need to be reexamined through adult eyes, and maybe quietly set aside.
I would propose that Lent is a find time to look for theory induced blindness in our own lives and to ask ourselves how we can change our beliefs and our actions to better fit the world in which we live. What activities do we take part in on a regular basis, that aren’t producing for us the desired results? What beliefs do we hold that are no longer serving us well?
And the good news is that we can always makes changes, for the Spirit gives us courage and Truth calls us to better paths.
Grant
A Prayer
Help me to pause every once in a while today, God, and really examine what I am doing and why. Is this time well spent? Are these words worth saying? What does this action say about me? Is life meant to be like this?
Help me to ask and to grow.
Amen.