Blink of an Eye

Your brain forms feelings in response to complicated issues like euthanasia within 200 to 250 milliseconds after hearing a statement about the subject.

That’s literally in a blink of an eye.

In a quarter of a second, we feel something about a complicated subject.

And that’s okay. That’s human.

Our response needs to be respected.

Like the Air Traffic Controller who is trained to have an instant, rote reaction to de-conflicting aircraft, our feelings give us an immediate opinion if we need it quickly.

Also like the Air Traffic Controller, we have the option to put aside that response and investigate whether there is a superior one.

We can Step Back.

If one second, thirty seconds, a minute, an hour, a month, a lifetime later … we have not found a better argument.

We can revert to our blink of an eye reflex.

If we routinely and consciously step back in our decision making, we will gradually improve our immediate emotional response to a range of subjects, to be a thoughtful one.