Where Do Our Minds Go?
Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
Bottles make us true believers! While tubes seem to make us committed doubters.
Did you ever notice that when the Listerine is done, we have no difficulty parting with the bottle; We just turn and drop it into the garbage! Okay maybe, some let in a tiny shpritz of water to access the remaining bit, but then, even they, toss it easily! The toothpaste, on the other hand, is a whole different story!
A week after it appears to be empty, we are still battling for the last, little drop. We seem to think it’s still stashed away in there somewhere. The tube is 2 by nothing, but we’re not giving it up!
Why is that?
What is the mechanism at work?
Is it seeing is believing? And since we can’t see the end of it we are not sure it’s done.
Or
Is it history repeats itself- last time there was still a little more in there, maybe there’s still some hiding in there?
Or
Is it our endless drive for a challenge? Does the malleable structure of the tube lore us in and make us think, I know I can eke out another drop?
Or
Are we just plain cheap?! If there’s more in there, why should I give it up? You know, like leaving the ketchup, mustard, or honey upside down for a while just to get the last little bit out before parting with the container.
Think of the round containers of diaper cream, versus the tubes, you’ve had! One, you circle with your index finger an extra time to get the final sticky remains out, while the other, you keep in you diaper bag practically till your kid attends college!
Why?
Perhaps, it’s the eternal thought, that in an emergency, we can squeeze out a tiny little drip.
This mangled, miniature, memento, of what use to be a dispenser, has us convinced it has endless magical potential.
Are these then instruments of faith or frustration, I ask?
Are we just convinced there’s always more in there or are we thinking we just didn’t squeeze hard enough?
Could it be just a risk reward analysis? Are we holding on because after all by the time we finish attacking them they take up so little space that there is no big risk to leave them around, and there’s always the possible reward of their hidden possibilities?
Bottles offer no mystery, they are clear, they are parted with in basically pristine condition, while tubes are challenging, thus they look like you’ve gone 10 rounds with them by the time you are finished with them.
What does all this say about us as human beings?
Is it something deep like – do we always want more and more?
or
simple like -are we just too lazy to switch?
Or is it real cosmic thinking, like –
what we can easily see and understand makes us ready believers but what we can’t, makes us grappling doubters?!
Hmmmm …….Imagine…
All these profound thoughts from a simple, ebbing tube of toothpaste?!
Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com
