Have you ever been in a discussion about a Big Idea—politics, religion, sex, race, economics, or some other subject ill-suited for Thanksgiving dinner with the family—when you’ve thought, “Hmm. I’m not sure I agree with that, but I can’t articulate why.” This happens to me frequently. By the time I wrestle with my thoughts and untangle the snarls, it’s Valentine’s Day.
Or perhaps you—like I—get satisfaction from organizing the kitchen junk drawer. I find it gratifying to discard the useless and arrange the pertinent, whether that be broken rubber bands and spare keys, or concepts and ideas.
Untangling Snarls…Ideas, Considered is a gallery of my thoughts on subjects that intrigue me, inspire me, or irritate me. Writing forces me to organize my unruly thinking, and it helps me untangle the knots of an idea to achieve clarification (if not always a conclusion). When you read my blog posts, perhaps you’ll think, “Yes! I’ve sensed that, but been unable to put into words.” Or, you might think, “Hmm. I’m not sure I agree with that,” and you’ll be motivated to untangle some snarls of your own.
A bit more about me: I’m curious. I’m analytical. Years ago—recently graduated from college and finding my way in the world—I made a list of things that make me happy. I wrote, “I like to think hard. I don’t necessarily like to physically work hard (was I considering a career as a steelworker?!?!), but I feel great after thinking hard.” Wrestling with ideas is for me what the 5K run is to someone else. Thanks for joining me for the workout.
Jennifer P. Streit lives in northern Illinois with her husband. After five years as an engineer in manufacturing with Procter & Gamble, she left the paid workforce and focused on raising three sons, managing the household, and volunteering in the community.