Paradigm shift
- Patty Sepety
- Mar 29
- 2 min read
That is my phrase of the week or possibly the month.
A paradigm shift is a major change in how people think and get things done that upends and replaces a prior paradigm. A paradigm shift can result after the accumulation of anomalies or evidence that challenges the status quo, or due to some revolutionary innovation or discovery. (credit Google).
We all have things we believe and ways we do things because of our beliefs. But what happens when the rug gets pulled out from under us? (that is an idiom, meaning a shocking change).
Suddenly you learn something new. Or you see something unexpected while hiking, for example. You reach the top of the mountain and your point of view changes as does your horizon. Should you keep going the same direction? Maybe you need to stop and check the map. Maybe you need to say a prayer and sleep on it before making a decision based on new evidence. You could be like I was once. I was looking at the map wrong and walking the wrong way. I found another hiker who cleared that up for me.
A good idea is to talk with a wise counselor. But then later think for yourself. I read a great book entitled They Thought for Themselves by Sid Roth. He is a Jewish believer in Messiah. He shares the stories of 10 Jews who came to believe that Jesus (or Yeshua) was their Messiah too. For Jewish people this is a big paradigm shift. Not only is it a shock to them, but they often face persecution from relatives and possible loss of family and position.
I had a paradigm shift many years ago. It was something so simple but it rocked my world. People do not die in order. Duh! Didn't I already know that? You may ask. In my brain I did, but not in my heart. My most favorite person in my life was dying. She was the youngest grandparent and I did not see that coming. We also lost a teenage friend of our daughter. What a shock! Life became more precious as my paradigm shifted.
Our world is changing very fast. It is spiraling with change in technology, in geography, in politics, in medicine and health, in climate. How can we keep up? We need to stay grounded, but also stay informed. Begin able to communicate well is key.
A paradigm shift may require making a big decision.
To you my ESL clients, learning English may open new paradigms for you. You'll be able to read more books and understand the vernacular of everyday language which is constantly evolving. Exciting times are ahead!
A song about a decision...
Comments