David Brady Helps

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On the rush to define things.

We're quick to name things.

We're quick to understand what something does.
We're quick to understand how it does it.
We're quick to understand when it does what it does.
We're quick to understand who does it.  
We're quick to understand where it is.
And, we're quick to try and understand why it's in our life.  

But, and here's the big but, we're slow to understand, if ever, what it's for.  

The other day I had ice cream. I didn't need it. But, I had it.  

What was it for?  

It wasn't for nutrition.
It wasn't for satisfying hunger.
It wasn't for appearance.

It was for the feeling of "pleasure."
The dopamine hit that was desperately needed.

Could I have gotten that hit elsewhere?   Sure!  

  • I could have run, 

  • Took a hike, 

  • Explored something new, 

  • Built something, or 

  • Did anything that would have released the hedonistic pleasure that comes from enjoying dopamine coursing through my veins.  

But I didn't.

I suppose, now that I know what ice cream is for, I could take a second thought before I quickly try to understand where to find it, what the best vendor is in the city, what's on their menu, how I'll get there...