This is the 200th post at tonyferrar.com! I started writing here in August 2016, just under three years ago. I set out to create a place for students to find advice from a positive voice. What I didn’t realize is how much I would grow as a result of a single commitment: to wake up 2 hours before leaving the house, to write at least one post each week, and to stay away from the easy attention that comes from speaking negatively about our world.
Thank you for being here to support the journey – we’re in this together now.
The question I’ve been asking myself for weeks is “what is the message I want to send that marks this milestone?”
It’s More Complicated than You Think It Is
That’s the message. It applies to everything. We seek comfort by categorizing the world around us and the events that happen in it. We apply labels. We explain things in terms of our understanding. We look for ways to fit new experiences into the bins we’re already comfortable with.
Some examples:
- A low score on an exam.
- Not getting a response from a job application.
- Experiencing bias.
- Changing majors.
- Taking a semester off school.
Here’s the deal:
This post comes with homework. I just gave you a list of things that happened to real people I know. Your challenge is to find a non-obvious explanation. Feeling bold? Leave a comment – we could all benefit from an expanded worldview and sharing your ideas is a way to help people do that.
I’m thrilled to be there. Thanks again for the support that you offer by giving me your attention. I’ll continue writing about all the ways that our world is even more complicated (and wonderful) than you realize.
