The Learning Option ...

Dear Friends,

The other day, the power went out across much of San Francisco. Traffic lights went dark. Waymos stopped working. I was on my way to pick up my son at the airport—and it was utter chaos.

It was a few days before Christmas. People were rushing through last-minute errands. With intersections unmanaged and cars stalled, tensions rose quickly. Horns blared.

Now, were the blank traffic lights and stalled cars the problem? In some ways, yes.

But was the deeper problem not the lights or the traffic…but the minds of the drivers?

I’d say mostly the latter.

Of course, working systems help. Traffic lights create order. But it was striking to watch how people reacted when something unexpected disrupted their plan.

The Reponses

One response is blame:

“Who’s in charge of the power system? How could they be so incompetent? They’re ruining my day.”

Another response is to inquire:

“What does my mind do when a one-hour drive becomes two? What happens inside me when things don’t go as I had planned?”

Chaos in our lives can be genuinely challenging. But how much do we add—through resistance, frustration, and an unexamined mind?

The Learning Option

I like things to go my way as much as anyone, but there is always the option: Can I observe my mind?

This way, When things go our way, WE LEARN … And when things don’t go our way, WE LEARN TOO.

Of course, sometimes systems may need improvement. People may need to be held accountable. But the most reliable learning is always internal.

So today, whether life goes exactly as we have planned or not at all … may we all get insights into our own mind!

Also join us at a free event January 6th with Gabor Maté, Jack Kornfield and Cecily Mak. It is a virtual book launch and discussion on living Undimmed. Learn more and sign up below.

Blessings,

SOREN