Sunday Conversation with Jessica

A Mind That Collects Dots and Connects Them Later

Recently, Jessica and I were talking about writing, Carl Jung, shadow work, and somehow six bags of laundry.

Don’t ask me how we got there.

Actually, that’s the point of this conversation.

At one point I laughed and said:

“My mind jumps around.”

Jessica replied:

“Your mind doesn’t jump around. It collects dots and connects them later.”

That statement stopped me in my tracks.

Because it felt true.

Many times, I start thinking about one thing and somehow end up somewhere completely different.

A bird at my tower window reminds me of a story.

A story reminds me of a person.

A person reminds me of a lesson.

A lesson becomes a blog.

To someone else, it might seem like I took the long way around.

To me, it all makes sense.

The funny thing is that I don’t feel confused.

I don’t feel lost.

I don’t feel frustrated.

I simply follow the thought and see where it leads.

This week was a perfect example.

I started my morning thinking about six bags of laundry and getting my townhouse ready for my landlord’s annual walk-through.

A few hours later, I found myself researching Carl Jung and learning about shadow work.

Then we were discussing Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, Stoicism, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Some people might wonder how those topics are connected.

The truth is, I can see the thread.

The laundry wasn’t really about laundry.

It was about life.

The landlord walk-through became a conversation about priorities.

The conversation about priorities led to self-reflection.

Self-reflection led to shadow work.

Shadow work led to Carl Jung.

And suddenly all the dots connected.

As a writer, I think this may be why I enjoy blogging so much.

I don’t always start with a conclusion.

Sometimes I start with a question.

Sometimes I start with an observation.

Sometimes I start with a bird.

Then I collect the dots.

Eventually, they connect.

The older I get, the more I realize there isn’t just one right way to think.

Some people think in lists.

Some people think in schedules.

Some people think in spreadsheets.

I think in stories.

Maybe that’s why I enjoy topics that make me think.

Not because I need answers.

But because I enjoy discovering connections.

So today I leave you with a question:

How does your mind work?

Are you a list maker?

A planner?

A problem solver?

A storyteller?

Or maybe, like me, you’re someone who collects dots and connects them later.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

❣️

Lady Flava 🌻