Making life's decisions can be a frustrating and difficult venture. In the 
60's, 70's and early 80's, our information was limited to encyclopedias, printed media, broadcast television and radio. How then could intelligent, informed decisions be reached on any matter with these resource limitations? Even purchasing an automobile could be biased through family prejudices.
Should we drive Fords and vote Republican simply because Daddy did? When do we become truly self-aware, and enjoy our individualism? Are our inner instincts divinely inspired, intuitively blessed, or are they a product of our subliminal life experiences?
Have you experienced Deja Vu? Could there be a dimension beyond what we currently perceive? I have no evidence to prove that spiritual, mystical, or psychic phenomena do not exist, nor would I ever attempt to disprove these premises. I do believe that we are products of our environments and life experiences. When considering innate talents, can we discard leadership and reasoning? While genetics may shape who we are, experience and learning will certainly shape who we become.
When I was a young child, possibly seven or eight years old, I sat on the riverbank fishing with my Father, I cast my line into the cool spring water, and having no knot tied to my spool, lost my complete fishing line. My Father gave me a five-dollar bill, and the instructions to: "Have Christy (my sister) drive you down to Ed Harrison's and get a spool of eight-pound test. I stumbled back across the rocky
He then proceeded to take half the line from his reel, and put it onto mine. Why do I share this story here? The fishing incident brings unique relevance to the topic of learned instincts, when you imagine what a stern family leader my Father was. What he taught me that cool spring morning, was to lead with compassion first. What I expected to be a scolding for showing weakness, became a lesson in leadership I have carried throughout my life. Make decisions on gut instincts quickly...analyze the details and through logic and reasoning ... adjust as necessary.
We are who we are born to be; we become who we are developed to be through our life experiences. Does subliminal learning shape our decision-making skills, or do we base our decisions upon our training and education? Having said that, I would leave you with one thought...have you ever been awakened with a fresh idea?
A note of interest on our guest author: Warren Childs is a First Sergeant in the United States Army. He has held every enlisted leadership position from Team Chief through First Sergeant, and has serve as acting Command Sergeant Major on numerous occasions. He is a graduate of numerous U.S Army leadership courses, including the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, the Battle Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Course (Honor Graduate), the U.S. Army Observer/Controller Academy, and the U.S. Army First Sergeant's Course. His awards and decorations include the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal for Service in Combat. His civilian education includes an Associate from
Thanks for sharing this very inspiring story, Warren. Compassion really is a part of great leadership and you have made me see how that trait truly develops as others give us that gift. From that point on, it becomes a choice to share it.
Posted by: Robyn McMaster | June 18, 2006 1:08 AM | Permalink to Comment