Life as Paradox

Noun: Paradox

1. A statement that contradicts itself

2. A statement starting with something apparently true that leads to counterintuitive or unacceptable conclusions

3. A person or thing having contradictory properties

Source: World Web

An example of a paradox is the proverb, “Don’t go near the water ‘till you know how to swim.”  This is a contradictory, circular statement that can’t be resolved. 

Life and human development are basically a never-ending series of paradoxes. This is true because throughout life we have to make important decisions before we have the skills or knowledge to do so. Therefore, we live in paradox, but we don’t have the skill set to deal with it. 

Then we want to purchase a home (the largest investment of our lives) and raise children before we become competent at each of these tasks. Thus is the process of life and human development presenting as paradox. 

We Must Work Within the Tension of Opposites To Create Something New 

The way forward is to first recognize and accept the paradox. Rather than avoidance, we must work within the tension of opposites so that something new can be generated. Basically, we have to jump in the water to learn how to swim. Embracing our fear of the water resolves the paradox.

In short, we grow and develop only when we take the risk, roll the dice and stand in both sides of the contradiction. Becoming skillful managing the power of “and” provides the window to look within the complexities of interdependent pairs in tension, and capitalize on them.

Those of us who are competent leveraging “both and,” versus “either or,” are positioned to escape the circular nature of paradox and generate a new outcome for ourselves.