Weekly ideas to stimulate reflection, inspire new possibilities and encourage new ways of doing and being.
1. Test the water
This week’s word is: Paradox
A paradox is a statement or concept that seems self-contradictory or logically absurd but may in fact contain a truth or be logically valid when examined more closely.
The word paradox comes from the Greek word παράδοξον, which means "contrary to expectation" or "against opinion." It is derived from: "para-" (παρά) meaning "beyond" or "contrary to” and "doxa" (δόξα) meaning "opinion" or "belief".
What is your definition of paradox and how do you relate to it? Discuss the question here.
2. Experience the initial wave
To broaden your perspective, take a few minutes to read the following quotes and ideas and notice what comes up for you.
I.
“The words of truth are always paradoxical”. Lao Tzu
II.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. Take away paradox from the thinker and you have a professor. In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two. In contradiction and paradox, you can find truth”. Carl Rogers
III.
Paradox is about contradiction, exploration, and deeper understanding.
Polarity refers to opposites and their natural balance or coexistence.
Polarization emerges when opposites or groups lose the ability to connect, leading to division and conflict.
Polarity can create balance or bring opposites together, while polarization happens when communication breaks down, understanding is lost, and groups become divided. Paradoxes encourage curiosity and exploration, but polarization tends to stop open discussion and deep thinking by creating rigid "us vs. them" divides.
3. Dive deep
To gain a deeper understanding and spark new discoveries, this week I invite you to reflect on the following question:
Have you ever experienced a moment in your life that felt like a paradox? How did you try to make sense of it?
What role might a paradox play in helping you grow or make important decisions?
How could a paradox inspire creativity or help you think in new ways?
4. Ride your radiant wave
Paradoxes help to challenge our understanding of concepts or situations, often revealing unexpected truths or highlighting limitations in our reasoning. To uncover new insights, this week I invite you to explore this quick exercise:
Pick a paradox: Pick a common paradox like "less is more," "you have to lose to win," or "the more you try to forget something, the more you remember it."
Write your initial thoughts: Spend 5 minutes writing your first reaction to the paradox. What does it mean to you? Does it make sense? Let your thoughts flow without judgment.
Shift your perspective: Now write about the paradox from a new angle—imagine you’re a philosopher, artist, or child trying to make sense of it. What new insights emerge when you approach it differently?
Make a note of your insights: Wrap up by reflecting on: What surprised you in this exercise? Did thinking about this paradox in a new way change how you see a situation or idea?
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