MIND newsletter: Order and chaos
Happy Saturday everyone! 😉
The concept of order and chaos has been on my mind this week, thanks to my favorite author, Dan Brown, and his novel “Origin.” This book has sparked a profound contemplation about the intersection of science and religion, a topic that has always fascinated me.
In the realm of career development, the interplay between order and chaos is a familiar theme. We tend to crave order, which often reflects in how we plan our career trajectories. The allure of a linear career path is undeniable; we yearn for a smooth journey without unexpected chaos that can disrupt our carefully laid plans.
I often wonder whether our preference for order extends beyond the individual level, that order is also favored by the universe itself. Surprisingly, I stumbled upon an answer to this question in a mystery thriller novel like ‘Origin”.
Nature, in an effort to promote disorder, creates little pockets of order.
(This statement stems from A New Physics Theory of life by the biophysicist Jeremy England)
In other words, “to efficiently create chaos, requires some order”. This notion that, while we favor order, the universe leans towards chaos is captivating. Could this be why we’re often blindsided by change, uncertainty, and disappointment?
Uncertainty is an inherent aspect of the world around us, our lives, and even ourselves. We can never be certain how we’ll evolve tomorrow. While it’s tempting to design our careers or lives assuming a stable world, this approach can be both appealing and perilous.
Currently, when we plan for something significant, such as a career move or a simple outdoor event, we aim for stability in our planning while also creating contingency plans, often referred to as plan B. But what if we were to shift our mindset and view uncertainty as the goal while treating order as the means to achieve it?
This shift in perspective reminds me of Stoic philosophy, one of the most influential schools of thought in ancient Rome. To combat chronic dissatisfaction, Stoicism advocates practicing misfortune and finding comfort in discomfort, making ourselves familiar with worst-case scenarios, and confronting our fears head-on.
A popular Stoic technique, as outlined in William B. Irvine’s book “A Guide to the Good Life,” is negative visualization. It encourages us to consider the worst that can happen, emphasizing that chasing after things we don’t have inevitably leads to misery. Stoicism suggests that we should appreciate what we already possess by imagining its loss, thus valuing it more deeply.
I vividly recall an inspiring friend from over a decade ago, still in her youth. Despite having a fear of water, she chose swimming as her physical education activity when given the choice. When we asked her why, she simply replied, “The way to conquer fear of doing something is to do it.” She consistently lived by this philosophy. The idea that the entire universe is constantly striving to create chaos lends even more power to .
So you, how does the interplay between order and chaos manifest in your own life, and how do you navigate it? I genuinely value your insights and experiences. I read every email you guys send me, so always feel free to hit reply and share with me your thoughts.
