by Sandra Elizabeth

Created on: May 17, 2009

That's exactly what our homes are (no matter the size), boxes. We all live in boxes; in neighborhoods or on pieces of land, divided into squares. Expand just a little and you'll find our places of employment, our supermarkets and our schools, not too far from them, as those who live in one state don't usually work, shop or attend school in another state (on a daily basis); making each state their own little box.

To think "outside the box" literally, one would just about have to buy a boat and head for the ocean and even then, man has somehow found a way to achieve the squaring off of water. This is one reason why it is so difficult for some to consider such a possibility because "outside the box" doesn't really exist (except in the mind) and everyday life "inside the box" prevents some from taking their thoughts beyond.

Another reason for not venturing out is fear. Changing the way one thinks is something different; it's foreign. Changing anything can be scary, whether it is work, stores or schools (or thoughts), some don't adapt well to change. Humans, animals, birds and fish, are all territorial and unfamiliar terrain cannot only be frightening, it can be deadly, as rivals may have already staked their claim to it. Venturing out, while thrilling to some, might be terrifying to others.

A third reason for staying put is that we're (all) creatures of habits. For some reason or another, once we start doing something repeatedly, we continue without even realizing that we're performing the act; in which case, our thoughts are neither "inside nor outside the box"; they have ceased to exist all together and they become nothing more than habit. There are some very bad habits resulting from not thinking, smoking is the first one that comes to mind.

Since we're talking about humans and money certainly can't be left out of the equation, a fourth reason for staying "inside" may be (for some) of a financial nature, as it's a lot easier to think "outside the box" when one can afford to. Not only that, this manner of thinking requires that one take risks and (especially in today's economy) it's an understatement to say that there's a shortage of risk takers.

A fifth cause may be that some are just plain comfortable inside of their boxes. They're like a favorite chair or a good old pair of worn-in sneakers. Their boxes have become their zone and without them (out of their zone), some tend to feel like fishes out of water, while some are considered to be a more ambulatory fish.

Whether you have one of the five or possess all (and more not listed) of the reasons for not thinking "outside the box", the reasons that counter each one prevail. As said in the beginning, thinking "outside the box" exists within your mind and in your mind's eye; you don't have to be rich, brave or predictable in order to be comfortable; you only need to believe in yourself.

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