Tag Archives: seeing clearly

Travelling Muddy Waters

Clarity begins with the fullest possible understanding of all the pieces.  When things are unclear the first task is to clean the glass.  That is, put things into a condition from which understanding can be derived.
Clarity requires viewing of all aspects of a particular set of circumstances in a way that is consistent with the practical world around you and specifically the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.

Interpreting Meaning

Once you have a clear picture of all the various components you can begin to discard the irrelevant factors and focus on those things that are truly impactful.
This analysis should focus on determining, what is reality?  To be able to parse the information, and thereby determine what it means, it is critical to a clear understanding which is not encumbered by things that don’t really matter.
The things that cloud your view (the dirt on the window pane) need to be removed if you are to achieve a valid and accurate perception of what is real.

Eliminate Distraction

Clarity requires focus.  Anything that prevents you from giving your full attention to determining the core information can result in misunderstandings, mistakes and misinterpretation.

Following the wrong path or undertaking wasted or potentially inadequate actions because you missed the point can be costly and perhaps even painful.

Avoiding being overwhelmed by a myriad of information begins by clearing away the unnecessary.   Those things that ultimately are not important in the overall scheme of things must be ignored.

Seeking clarity in all you do and you will lead to greater satisfaction.

Stating the Obvious

Sometimes the iceberg is right in front of us and like the Titanic we plow ahead anyway.  The sudden collision is a pretty good indicator we missed something, sadly like the Titanic it might be too late.

The obvious can often only be understood when you conciously observe and process it.  Often we simply track on the expected and might roll with the obvious, roll over it or miss the opportunity presented entirely.

Philosophically speaking

Philosophers have been known to categorize the discipline as the study of the obvious.  This of course can lead to the obvious question, why study the obvious which  by definition is easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent.

Maybe not always so.  This is the aspect of the obvious recognized by philosophers.  While the information might be easily digested,  it is similarly easily misunderstood or overlooked.

One key to philosophical analysis is not the statement of the obvious but rather unearthing the oppotunities associated with things we generally percieve unconciously and so do not reap the full benefit.

For Example

Consider the obvious comment “You are more likely to achieve sustainable long term goals through a carefully planned, reasoned approach”.

Over the years I have shared that thought with many friends and colleagues to derisory feedback like “duh”, “tell me something I did not know”.

Yet the frequency I have observed others behaving exactly contrary are numerous.  Demanding, threatening, unplanned spur of the moment reactionary behaviour has been far more common.  This could of course just be my own bad fortune but I don’t think so.

The next time the obvious occurs to you, pause, think it through fully.  Use it before just letting it pass without benefit to yourself.