I’ve been thinking about that fly story again. I keep visualizing it beating its body against the glass window trying to get to the destination it can see but cannot reach, no matter how hard it tries. It’s knocking itself out, repeating the same behavior because it doesn’t see any other way.
As I think about the observer, the storyteller, watching what’s happening, doing nothing to help the fly, it makes me think about the different ways people respond to situations unfolding in front of them. Not just with bugs.
If it were a person trying to achieve a goal, obviously struggling with the approach they’ve decided is the only way to achieve it, and you were observing it, what would you do?
A) Observe them struggling, knowing there’s a better way, but do nothing because it’s their problem, not yours.
B) Assist by opening a window, showing them there is a different way to reach their goal.
C) Take control and move them to what you think is their desired destination.
Which action would you instinctively do?
Which do you think would have a more positive long-term impact for the person… or the fly?
