If thinking is categorized practically, it can be broadly split into ‘volitional thinking’ and ‘instrumental thinking.’ Volitional thinking involves the belief that to succeed, a person must have a strong will to overcome hardships and obstacles. Self-improvement falls under this category. However, to actually overcome hardships and obstacles, it is instrumental thinking that drives us to consider that we need ‘tools’ to get past them. In other words, it’s like how carpenters build houses: they construct the structure, but tools are what make it possible. There is no carpenter without tools. Both are essential for success, but if I had to emphasize one, focusing on instrumental thinking is more advantageous. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Abraham, in the Bible, remained silent when God revealed that he should offer his only son, Isaac. However, when he rescued his nephew Lot from the doomed city of Sodom, he bargained with God. What is a “bargain?” In life, it is crucial to know with whom to bargain and when. If we bargain over what we shouldn’t or don’t do what we should do bargain, then our lives can become quite weird. Every day, we seek something to bargain for, repeatedly hoping for favorable outcomes or facing disappointments. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”