On my walk in the neighborhood today I came across this example of indecisiveness.
I imagined the internal struggle that must have tormented the man who built this wall.
“I will build this wall in red brick.”
“Yes, it’s looking good.”
“Hold on. I’m not sure.”
“Perhaps white bricks would be better.”
“I’ll use white bricks.”
“Yes, that was the right decision.”
“Hmm, perhaps it would look better in stone.”
“I’ll use stone and angle the stones to the right.”
“Yes. They look great angled to the right.”
“Hmm, perhaps they would look better angled to the left.”
“Fantastic!”
“I’m not sure, I think they did look much better angled to the right.”
“I’ll angle them to the right.”
Yes, that was the right decision.”
“Wait. I’m not sure about stone. The red bricks do look good. I’ll use red bricks.”
“All done!”
“Hmm, I’m still not sure.”
“Perhaps a wooden fence would have been better.”
“Now, shall I get the bus home or walk?”
“I think I’ll walk.”
“No, I’ll get the bus.”
I asked the tall person why some people have problems making decisions and he told me that it often stems from an irrational and impossible need for certainty. Making a good decision is important, but when we escalate that preference into an ironclad need to get it right, not only do we get indecisive, we also fret and worry about any decision we do make. He said that it is better to make the best decision you can, even if it turns out not to be a great one because we tend to regret what we fail to do much more than what we actually do.
The way it looks it is just perfekt.
It is a great wall! 🙂
It is kind of amazing to me that all of the stones are the same basic shape/size. I would say that took a bit of planning. lol
It’s a fantastic herringbone effect.
I don’t think you’ll have to look far for the wall-builder… I suspect he (or she) is down at the end of the road going round in circles.
Hahahaha! 🙂
Or maybe the builder was trying to make an attractive use of available resources?
It is attractive 🙂
Very attractive! I’m glad the builder couldn’t decide what materials to use. But the tall person does have a point that seeking certainty can thwart us in the end. Much better to make a good decision than not make a perfect one.
Maybe the person just wanted to make a wall unique in appearance, in that instance he/she would have succeeded.
I love Bassa and his amazing views on the world!
Thank you!
There is no other wall like it in the world! YAY!!! 🙂
Great reflection Bassa! Your tall person is very wise. Think of all the trips to the materials store the builder has to make.
Bella and DiDi
Your tall person is very wise. Regret is an ugly thing. Maybe this wall was less a matter of indecision and more a desire for variety and originality.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bassa, I wish I could click the “like” button 10 times because that’s how much I liked this post. I love the imaginary conversation the wall builders had. Priceless!
Thank you Monica. I am very pleased that you liked it (10 times!).
Your tall person is very wise indeed!
Cute!
I’m imagining piles of leftover material laying around and this guy comes along and says “I’m going to build a wall”. And he did.
The buillder could have been indecisive. He also might have had to use recycled materials in short supply, or found the patterns in the wall as he built it interesting. We may never know!
Nancy
http://www.workingmomadventures.com