By Gerald S. Clay We are plagued by “default thinking” here in Hawaii and around the world. Over and above every curse which the human race has had to contend with, there is one curse that stands out above all others: the curse of wanting to be right. History has a dismal record of wars waged over the certainty that, “my religion is right”. The thought pattern is this: “If I am right, you cannot also be right.” So, “Because I am right, you need to think the way I think.” How many millions have been killed because of this line of reasoning? This need to be right is a “default thought pattern”. It is what we think automatically without thinking about it. This “default” has been ingrained in our automatic nervous system’s fight, flight or freeze response to perceived survival threats. Thankfully, over the last 40 years, a new thought pattern has emerged that promises better outcomes. This new thought pattern is based on thinking about “what is in my long-term best interest?” Or, even better, what needs do I have to address in order to make me feel more secure? I qualify “best interest” by acknowledging that the decision I choose must not only be in my and your long-term best interest, but must also satisfy my basic human need for security and safety. The Native American people believe that in making decisions now we must look ahead Seven Generations: how will present decisions impact the future interests and needs of my family, community, nation and planet? So, it may be in my short-term best interest to lie. I may score an advantage in an argument or I may get more money. However, lying can never be in my long-term best interest especially if my basic human needs…
