I sat down with a man of faith recently, looking for spiritual guidance and needing an opportunity for a theologically-based discourse. I knew this gentleman could provide both and I was not disappointed. As with all good conversations, I had more than one 'take-away', and I thought I'd openly muse about one of them in this posting.
Studying the coffee cup was my analogy for taking an issue/problem/vexing situation - whatever I'd choose to call it - and wrapping my head around it. In business, there is the term, 360-degree Review, which has to do with a human-resource technique to help an employee improve his or her performance. It is rather like putting the person in an IMAX theatre and providing revolving feedback. Such is my coffee-cup strategy - intellectually studying something from every angle, seeking to dissect and, ultimately, and understand it.
So, now, I am in the process of selecting which coffee cup to study. I'm considering the shape and color of the cup, because those components will provide inspiration for me to spend intellectual time with this cup. I'm considering whether the cup should be plain - with no visual distractions or whether it should be a vibrant color with a futuristic design.
Then there is the decision about whether to start with the cup filled with a liquid or should it begin as empty? Do I want to fill as I go or do I want the cup filled to the brim at the outset? At this moment, I'm leaning toward filling the cup with a steaming-hot, robust coffee - perhaps enhanced with a little half and half - from the get-go.
The way I see this journey is that I might as well enjoy the ride........and, yes, I'll take my newspaper with me!
Ancora imparo
