Gregory Bateson
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Gregory Bateson's (1972) discussion of "Metalogue : Why Do Things Get in a Muddle" in his book, Steps to an Ecology of Mind, highlighted a perspective of life that deliberately defies the way most human beings think and operate in their daily lives. In order for us to think, go through our daily routines and maintain our sanity, most of us strive to impose some form of order or "tidiness" in most aspects of our life. In fact, I think the objective of human beings is to ensure that the "muddle" that is part of the universe does not overwhelm us and render us helpless and powerless. Therefore, the creation of our tidy universes can be considered to be the primary objective for most people. Yet I must admit that before reading this article, I did not possess such a reductive paradigm of the life as a means of imposing order over muddles. Although this image seems be reductive, it is also a powerful and effective way for identifying one of the chief limitations of humanityłour tendency to control our external universe (the muddle) by confining various aspects into tidy boxes. While I think many of us need to lead organized lives, it is possible to veer towards excessive tidiness that can limit us to other possibilities that lie within the muddle. Thus, the cost of leading tidy lives can mean the exclusion of multitudes of rich and rewarding ideas and experiences, which can exceed our imagination. In my opinion, this seemingly simplistic conversation between the father a
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forward or logical explanation and the concomitant solution, narrative therapists are willing to search for alternative stories in the muddle.
As I prepare to become a marriage and family therapist who utilize narrative therapy, I think that one of my toughest challenges will be to leave my comfort zone, or my tidy world, and step into the muddle. I will need to set my assumptions and maybe my values aside in order to understand the muddles that exist within my clients' lives. In the process, my tidy world may be threatened and even shattered through my experiences in the muddles. Therefore, it is little wonder that muddles trigger fear and anxiety within me. They represent the unknown that contains both the good and the bad. While it may be obvious why I would be fearful of the bad aspects of the muddle, I also concede that a part of me is also terrified of encountering the good aspects of the unknown because they will challenge me to change and relinquish my adherence to my tidy world.
However, I believe that my fear of muddles is a common feeling faced by most people who are resistant to change, even when it may lead to positive outcomes. Therefore, this understanding of my own frailty and that of others will enable
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Approximate Word count = 1281
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)
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