Faith without Action is dead
“Finding Dory” reunites the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish with her loved ones.
Dory is forgetful. Being forgetful it is difficult for her to decide what she is meant to do. Haunted by a feeling, perhaps even faith, that someone is out there looking for her, Dory is confused. Dory’s inaction results in anxiety-filled nights and fitful sleep. But Dory eventually acknowledges the logic, the faint memories, that fuel her feelings. She listens to her gut, responds to raw emotions, and takes action. Dory sets into motion a series of events that she believes will help to find her parents. At times her emotion based decisions are misguided and lead down dead ends. Nevertheless, Dory feels, acts, and reacts. Dory leans on friends for logic while she instinctually bounces from one situation to the next like a bumper car at an amusement park.
To Decide by Logic Without Feeling is cold
Marlin is an entirely different case. He is logical and often overthinks opportunities; losing himself in analysis paralysis. Often, Marlin attempts to bury his feelings, and as a result, can’t decide. Inevitably, he sulks, or lashes out.
On other occasions, Marlin’s excessive loss avoidance mechanism prevents him from taking action. Sadly, Marlin fears to lose what he already has and believes it is not logical or worth risking a comfortable lifestyle to help Dory find her parents.
Nemo, Marlin’s son, however, has a different take on the situation. Nemo balances his heartfelt desire to help Dori with a logical assessment of their ‘comfortable life.’ Nemo believes that not helping Dory is inconsistent with the life they have created and share.
The point becomes moot when Dory is swept off on her adventure–all alone. Marlin, without hesitation, agrees with Nemo that they need to follow and they are off; Finding Dory!
To Decide Based on Selfish Motives misleads
Losing a leg has left Hank bitter, sarcastic, and cynical. His primary desire in life is to be left alone. Interestingly, Dory’s overwhelming desire to help and be helped opens the door of opportunity for Hank. Initially, Hank feigns interest in helping Dory to find her parents as a means to his selfish desires. In fact, Hank sees Dory as his ticket to a life of peace and solitude at the Cleveland Aquarium, where he will never run the risk of being returned to the Ocean.
In contrast, Dory’s heart is open. She invites Hank in, not only as someone to help her but as a friend. She believes that together they could be better than either could be apart. Dory’s genuine friendship is infectious, and Hank ultimately succumbs. He decides it would be better to forego a life of solitude for the possibility of helping his new friend.
Key Take Aways
- When out of balance, we don’t sleep well, we become selfish, are anxious. At times we lash out, and on other occasions, we shut down and sulk.
- On the other hand, consistently making good decisions is a prerequisite to leading a balanced and happy life.
- Our minds contain two distinct thinking systems: the first rational and deliberate, and the second quick, effortless, and emotional. Knowing when to invoke which system is fundamental to productive thinking. In other words, to be capable individual thinkers, we must become adept at choosing when to apply rational thought, emotional thought, or a combination of the two.
- We are better together than we are alone.
- If during our lives we continually strive to help others, we increase our strength, and we do the job well. However, if we are consumed only with helping ourselves, we fare less well. This motivation driven result is a law inexorable as the principle of gravity.
Source:
Recent Comments