Serendipities

Another month gone. Already? 

I know, I know. The speed of time is all in our minds. The longer we live, the more we repeat actions like locking the car or driving to the store. Only new experiences slow down our perceptions.

But seeing time fly past accentuates the slowness of my writing progress. I want to finish this trilogy, but flogging my brain never works. Giving it all a rest often brings on an aha moment. One happened this past Monday, for instance, while taking a walk.

Scientific American’s March 2025 issue contains “The Wonder of Insight” (discussing our aha moments). In the same issue, “Thinking Without Words” answers the question, is language necessary for thought? Which it is not, animals of all kinds problem-solve, though language is excellent for passing on information. 

Then in the park’s library box, I found Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink, The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, and I’m half-way through it. His focus is how underlying expertise creates leaps of the mind. (Oh, if only I were an expert!)

As an aside, I love that every one of speculative fiction writer Kate Wilhelm’s novels reflect her fascination in the many ways the mind works. 

Coming across these related readings gives me a serendipitous feel, but mainly, they remind me of what I learned in a long ago workshop. Every unfinished task occupies a part of one’s mind. I recall at the time, having checked off a to-do list, my great sense of relief and freedom (not to mention surprise at the ease of dealing with long-postponed jobs). 

Hmm, I guess that means I’ve got to keep on weeding the yard. Maybe I’ll clear my mind for more insights while keeping active.