Reflections:?Moving beyond Autopilot

Do you ever feel like you're trying to keep up with the Joneses? I know I do! I was reminded of this shadow self recently on a walk around the neighborhood. Earbuds in grooving to the latest and greatest music, I found myself in the zone walking step by step to the beat of the songs. All was well in the world until I was passed by a gentleman, similar in age, zooming past me with his effortless strides. Everything urged me to join him and commence a more intensive workout. Unfortunately, I am currently dealing with shin splints and unable to move beyond my sauntering stride. This internal dilemma became disheartening and frustrating as my mind wanted to run, but my body knew it couldn’t. Whether comparing myself to hardcore athletes or having the latest and greatest gizmos and gadgets, we have become accustomed to these invitations for comparison and opportunities for envy.  

Have you ever had a similar feeling or situation? If so, you are likely aware of the energy around the fear of missing out also known as FOMO. FOMO is a more modern adaptation and expression of keeping up with the Joneses. This powerful tactic is used by businesses to motivate and attract consumers to buy their products or services. The strategy works like a charm as it has perpetuated and been perfected over the years. Such striving taps into a primordial part of the human brain which elicits the flight or fight response. In times of distress and uncertainty this human trait can be harnessed to achieve unfathomable feats. However, when targeted as a means of generating revenue for our bottom lines, we have to really question whether it really is an ethical approach for conducting business.

As we advance studies in such areas as psychology, sociology, and other disciplines, I believe it is important to integrate and formulate ethical practices for creating content and business models while keeping these basic human characteristics in mind. We may not understand why we are pursuing a specific job, hobby, or lover, but deep within these aspirations is a genetic orchestra providing a symphony that provides the soundtrack of our lives. Our mind contains the harmonies and discords which directs and guides the various orchestral members. Mindfulness practices and setting intentions provide us with a foundational framework for embracing the composer within. I know there have been times in my life when I have given over control and power to my internal composer. I think of it as of as an autopilot that dictates our internal network overseeing routine decisions. It's like a basic rules-based algorithm that never deviates off its course, but also never expands and learns from current and future experiences. This can lead to making less than ideal decisions and sometimes stymy growth. 

With that said, there is a reason our minds contain an autopilot mode seeking to protect our overall system when we’re in a fight or flight mode. At these moments, our bodies need to hone-in on our surroundings and amplify specific senses and stimuli allowing us to make split second decisions on whether to fight or flee. When you really stop to think about it, humans are complex, sophisticated, biological machines with incredible power and capabilities. Knowing this we have an opportunity to harness these natural powers and learn to cultivate them to create a more balanced and purposeful future.