Final answer? Yes...No wait...

The Wall Street Journal presented an article entitled Why So Many People Can’t Make Decisions. It outlines and describes two types of mentalities those who are black/white thinkers and those (like myself) who are the shades of gray thinkers. The article claims that both these mindsets play a vital role in how people handle their daily life at work and in relationships. In addition, depending on the approach a person takes it can largely influence the way that they perceive and interpret decision and reality overall. Stating that those who see the world in black/white tend to speak their mind or make quick decisions, have overall less anxiety about making wrong choices as well they are less likely to consider others’ point of view. On the contrary, the more ambivalent thinkers (the shades of gray thinkers) are more thoughtful about the choices they make, feel more regret after making a decision as well, as they tend to appreciate multiple points of view.

Ideally, we would like to label one better than the other but in this instance I say, “We think about it”. This article is claiming that a certain degree of ambivalence is a sign of maturity. And, I absolutely agree. Not because I myself fall into this category of gray side but because it would seem to me that being a black/white thinkers limits an understanding to that very moment, almost like an adrenaline rush. The article declares that they have an overall need to reach a conclusion just for the sake of reaching it. Meanwhile, shades of gray thinkers tend are able to handle uncertainty. They are not in a hurry to make a decision just for the sake of making it because they out way all their options.

I cannot help but to relate this back to our class discussion about doubt and uncertainty. If the shades of gray thinkers tend to be more at ease with uncertainty, how does this play out in their religion? I know for me personally, I know what I believe in and my decision to believe in it is genuine and authentic. Nevertheless, to be sincere it would be a lie to say that thoughts of doubt do not creep into my mind once in awhile. Then is that just a product of sinful nature or an inability to make concrete decisions?