Taitology

There is more to experience than your senses can perceive. In fact, more often it is the information that you are not given that creates the experience. Filmmaker J. J. Abrams understands this simple fact, which he has worked into his countless television and movie success stories. The investment in the character and the relationship to a personal story is what really matters.

The most memorable stories are those that universally relate to mankind. Personal struggles through moments in life, or life-long missions to reach a desired end. Inspiration from another who has Lost themselves, and how they found their way back. Why are we so drawn to witness others struggle? Do we take joy in others pain? Do we need our own problems validated by a reminder that others have problems, too? Are we looking for ideas or inspiration to help us jump to a resolution of our struggle for purpose?

Experience tells us that the solution to any problem results from gathering the right information. What can you do if some of the information is just not possible to hold? In fact, a great majority of our world and economy exists to find answers to questions with incomplete information. Often, these questions ask what is going to happen in the moments to come? Trying to predict the future is a valuable exercise in life and business, however it is easy to forget the information is always incomplete. We become dependent on an unpredictable future and forget about life in the present

In his deeply profound recollection, Abrams believes that it is the absence, and not the existence, of the information that makes life so enjoyable. If we had complete information, we could know with certainty the answer to any question. Life would no longer be exciting. There would be no more anticipation or mystery. Life would not be worth living without a journey, a struggle or details withheld. This simple fact is true in every aspect of life:

• careers - Where is this job leading me? Where am I leading this job?
• relationships - What is she thinking right now? What is he going to do next?
• family - Who might my children become? What keeps our family together?
• economics - Is the demand for enviro-friendly products really going to grow?
• politics - What will society need most desperately in 5 years?

All of this uncertainty boils down to the most deeply rooted mystery. The question few ask for fear of failure is simply, Who Am I? Life is constantly a struggle to give words and meaning to that indescribable essence.

The ignorance of that fundamental mystery might offer insight into it. In other words, we can learn something from an unsolved mystery. I know J.J. would agree that the answer to the mystery is not what people are after, but the pursuit of the mystery. Especially, if the mystery cannot be solved.

What is your life story?