Things Can Be Different Than They Are

Chapter 1 excerpt from The Power of Thinking Differently by Javy W. Galindo

From section entitled “Things Can Be Different Than They Are” (updated 1/18/09 from draft IIII)

—

The world needn’t be as it is. Things can be different.

We all have the ability to find new ideas, new alternatives, and new solutions. Whether it is in our art, business, finances, government, technology, relationships, or personal paths, we all have the ability to think differently in order to make a difference. We all possess the faculties to manifest something we hadn’t thought of before, or discover a path we had never walked before, though it can often seem impossible.

This book is about why the creative process is accessible to everyone. This book is about how we can all harness the power to think differently.

**

Too often we feel unable to change. Sometimes we react to our circumstances with old, habitual responses; the ones that we use because we have always used them. And when we have the urge and desire to respond differently, we have difficulty thinking of alternatives, like the writer who is confronted with writer’s block – unable to conjure up the right line of dialogue, the right ending to their book, or just simply unable to write at all. We all experience writer’s block in various forms: unable to find a new way to deal with a dilemma, unable to manifest a unique idea, unable to see alternative ways of living our lives.

However, as human beings we have the innate ability to find new ways of doing things and discover new approaches to problems. Human beings are constantly re-writing history. Our species is one that constantly manifests new visual art, new dance, new music, new culinary dishes, new poetry, and new stories. We hardly ever stay in one place. Human beings often move locations, change careers and explore the unknown. New business and new products are continuously entering the market place. New inventions are continuously being invented, while new scientific insights constantly arise changing our perception of our world and of our bodies.

We are naturally creatures of transcendent ideas, new methods, ingenuity, inventiveness, and inspired works. Flying was thought to be only for the birds until 1902 when the Wright brothers invented the propeller, stuck it on a carefully designed glider, and created a powered craft that flew for 59 seconds. Copernicus drastically altered our worldview by conceptualizing a sun-centered astronomy at a time when the earth was the de-facto center of the universe. And, the paintings of Picasso, the music of Mozart, the plays of Shakespeare, and poetry of Rumi still continue to enrich and inspire the lives of people today.

Moreover, throughout human history there have been numerous examples of extraordinary individuals who possessed revolutionary perceptions of themselves and society. Think of all those who have inspired social justice, or who have fought for equality. Mahatma Gandhi saw past his own meek appearance, and past the apparently overpowering strength of the British Empire, to recognize the power of non-violent, moral persuasion. By doing so, he not only led India to independence, but also had a positive effect on civil rights around the world.

There are also those individuals that are just seemingly able to experience fuller, more interestingly lives than most; people who seemingly have a knack for finding alternatives and perceiving opportunities, and are able to reframe their lives in contexts that allow them to better handle life’s rough edges. There are those that are able to write their books, start their businesses, build real estate empires, and enjoy aspects of life that others struggle with.

—

Please leave comments, questions, and suggestions below.