Have you read or heard these comments from your friends?

• "I'm over it, I'm leaving Facebook. It's too dark here. Peace out, y'all."

• "I'll fight anybody that disagrees with me. All cops are bad."

• "The virus scares me, I can't see you."

• "There's no point in trying to get ahead, so why bother?"

• "Black lives matter. And, if you disagree with me, we can't be friends."  

I have, and I see them every day. I find them interesting. Why?

Because they are the work of the "doing mode."  

David, what's the "doing mode," and why do I care about it? 

Your brain's "doing mode" creates a picture of how the world "should" look, and then it works to make that picture a reality. It's the mindset that enables us to invent things, finish a task, and "do" life. But, like most things we do, we sit in this mode too much. Here's an example of what I mean.

• When things aren't becoming a reality quickly or smoothly, the "doing mode" goes into "overdrive." It will cause you to stress, obsess, and feel things are "unfair" or "unjust." You'll frustrate.

• When you begin to frustrate, you'll be experiencing unpleasant emotions. "Doing mode" doesn't want to deal with your feelings, and it will work to get rid of them.

• When you are getting rid of emotions, you're seeking closure. Even if that means changing the subject, lashing out, distancing yourself, or doing anything that creates a closure, be it healthy or not - it's Machiavellian this way.  

• When you are creating unhealthy closure, your ability to "do" the real things that matter, and serve your tribe, is compromised.  

• When you're compromised, you'll feel shame.  

• When you feel shame, you give up.

• When you give up...

The "doing mode" is balanced by the "being mode." A mindset that enables you, no, "allows" you to exist. To take things in, to learn, to question, to make a decision, and to move on. The "being mode" is about "experiencing" life. It's also about growth.

We need both modes of thought to exist.  

"Experiencing" life gives us the ability to "do" living better.

But, it only works if you can do both in balance.

The balance will enable you to keep going.

We need you to keep going.  

Oh…

• A more detailed and scientific article on these two modes can be found here.

• Also, I chose the header image for this entry because it epitomizes how your “doing” mode operates. In kind of a funny way, I see that sign in my head all the time. Sometimes, I need to erase it and write, “Stop. Listen. See. Question. Reflect. Act.”

• If you’re interested in reading about what I’ve been reading in the last 6 months, let me know and I’ll share.