Think on These Things
By Dee Taylor-Jolley
I’m a member of an online community called Medium. It’s a social publishing platform where users can read, write, and share stories, ideas, and perspectives.
These 16 paradoxes on the complexity of life was written by member Andy Murphy.
As my father, the late Rev. Rivers S. Taylor would say, "Think on these things."
These paradoxes encourage us to think deep, long and with a growth mindset!
16 Strange but Beautiful Paradoxes in Life
- The Growth Paradox
Growth seems to happen gradually, almost imperceptibly at times, and then all at once.The way bamboo grows is one of the best examples of this.
Bamboo can barely be seen for the first five years as it builds extensive root systems underground. Then it explodes ninety feet into the air within six weeks.
Our own personal and professional growth can follow a similar trajectory. The growth paradox reminds me to be patient.
- The Persuasion Paradox
Have you ever noticed how the most argumentative people rarely persuade anyone or anything meaningful?Persuasive people don’t argue – they observe, listen, and ask thoughtful questions instead. They live a life of authenticity and curiosity and that’s enough to inspire change.
“Persuasion is an art that requires a paintbrush, not a sledgehammer” —Sahil Bloom
- The Productivity Paradox
Working longer hours doesn’t always mean getting more done. Often it can be the opposite. This is the productivity paradox and perhaps Sam Ewing summed it up best when he said, “It’s not the hours you put in your work that counts, it’s the work you put in the hours.” - The Fear Paradox
Oftentimes, the thing we fear most is the thing we need to face.Until I confronted my fear of being seen and heard, I lived with anxiety for 20 years.
It was only when I went into my fear that I could begin to set myself free. It’s scary but I saw how suppressing it was affecting my mental health and stunting my growth so I decided to take action.
The most successful people I know make a habit of running towards their fear and overcoming it. The older I get, the more willing I am to do the same.
- The Oxygen Paradox
As a trained breathwork facilitator, I love talking about the breath and in particular, oxygen.The oxygen paradox states that oxygen is vital to life but too much of it can be deadly. It’s similar to how too much food can clog a person’s arteries, too much exercise can damage muscle tissue, and too much sun can cause skin cancer.
It doesn’t seem to matter what “it” is in life because when something becomes unbalanced, it ultimately becomes toxic. Breathing too much oxygen is no different.
The best way to understand this is to feel it in your own body. So on your next inhale, start breathing the next 20 breaths in and out of your mouth as quickly as you possibly can, focusing solely on the inhale. Pay no attention to the exhale whatsoever.
Then breathe the next 20 breaths in and out of your nose as slowly as you possibly can, focusing solely on the exhale.
What was the difference? How did each one make you feel? Typically, the latter should have made you feel more relaxed. The former may have even caused you to feel slightly claustrophobic or suffocated.
If a person over breathes consistently inflammation can arise, digestion can be disrupted, and even autoimmune diseases can develop.
- Picasso’s Paradox
There is a famous tale of Picasso in the marketplace and it goes like this:
Picasso was walking through the market one day when a woman approached him. She pulled out a piece of paper and said, “Mr. Picasso, I am a fan of your work. Please, could you do a little drawing for me?”Picasso smiled and quickly drew a small, but beautiful piece of art on the paper. He handed it back to her. “That will be one million dollars.”
“But Mr. Picasso,” the woman protested, “It only took you thirty seconds to draw this little masterpiece.”
“My good woman,” Picasso smiled, “It took me thirty years to draw that masterpiece in thirty seconds.”
- The Advice Paradox
Most advice misses the mark and it’s often shared without permission. Most of the time I just want someone to say, “That sucks, man. I’m sorry.” Without giving any advice at all.Oftentimes, the best advice comes from the person who doesn’t give any.
“Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.” —Baz Lurhmann
- The Wisdom Paradox
Albert Einstein captured this best when he said, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” - The Opportunity Paradox
Sometimes turning down opportunities is the best way to create them. Discernment is the key to success.“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully” —Steve Jobs
- The Boredom Paradox
Some of my best ideas have come when I’ve been bored out of my mind or have been so far away from my laptop that inspiration strikes. During these times, my mind can wander and as a result, my thoughts become more interesting.The boredom paradox inspires me to schedule boredom into my week whenever I can.
- The Social Media Paradox
More connectedness = less connected.The best antidote to the modern world is to get around people, spend quality time with humans, and feel the warmth of community.
The social media paradox only exists online. Offline there’s a whole world of goodness to explore.
- The Failure Paradox
Michael Jordan brilliantly said:
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”All successful people know that in order to succeed they must fail a bunch of times. When failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, everything changes.
- The Talking Paradox
Talking less often means there’s more to say because the opposite of talking is listening.Listening has become a superpower these days.
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” —Epictetus
- The Speed Paradox
The Navy SEALs know this best which is why they say, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”Whenever I’m rushing too much I often miss important things or don’t do them properly. Slowing down is often the fastest route, if it’s paradoxical.
- The Money Paradox
The best way to make money is to spend money.The whole money game changed for me when I realized that money can either work for me (through investments) or not at all (if I let it sit in a bank).
Since then I’ve changed my approach to money and acquired a number of financial assets.
- The Death Paradox
Accepting our own death is the best way to live. Our mortality acts as a nagging reminder that no one’s getting out of here alive, and it comes a lot sooner than we care to admit.This is the paradox of death – it reminds me how to live before it’s too late.
