Thinking outside the box is overrated. Sometimes I grow tired of the "throw off the restraints" / "no limits" / "boundless freedom" / "unlimited growth" message. I know that sometimes a good kick in the pants is good for kick-starting creativity, but creativity actually doesn’t thrive in a truly "no limits" atmosphere. Creativity needs structure to grow up and become a blessing. And sometimes in our desperation to "Think Outside the Box™" we just end up creating something flaky and flimsy that is discarded after a few months in order to chase after the shiny new "Next Big Thing.™"
So lately I’ve found myself seeking appropriate boundaries, helpful limits, quiet consistency, and simple, sustainable structures. But it’s hard to find books on those subjects at the Christian bookstores. But I suppose a publisher would have a hard time selling a book titled Life Actually Does Have Limits, And The Reason You Have A Bloody Nose Is That You Keep Ignoring Them.
I think that one way of embracing the boundaries that experience and wisdom have validated is to be aware of the non-negoitible fundementals of Kingdom of God living. Talking about foundational truths can create a “launching pad” mentality, versus a “box of limitations.” I don’t think the issue is life without boundaries, but life moving along a trajectory that is consistent with the historic validation of truth, so we are both orthodox and experimental.
Another question to consider is “What box am I in?” and who/what built it. Richard A. Swenson, M. D. addresses one of our problems of living in this world and century in his book, Margin, sub-titled Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives.
He summarizes his theme in a prescription pad: our symptom is pain, the diagnosis is overload, his perscription is margin, pronosis is health and the therapeutic goal is healthy relationships. Sometimes we not only have to be creative/expansive in our thinking, but also protective/introspective of what is in the box. As Swenson points out, progress and success as defined by the world are often painful rather than healthy: either emotionally or spiritually or relationally.
I agree with your comments regarding boundaries and how important these are. Instead of trying to “think outside the box” or outside of the boundaries that I believe in. I try to shift my paradigms. This is a better way to think of it for me. How can I change my understanding of something or a situation within the boundaries that I accept. How can I shift my own paradigms, how I perceive reality and respond to that reality.
it sounds like you need to write the book “thinking inside the box.”
actually i understand exactly what you’re saying.
i’m a creative person by nature BUT you got play the game and creativity for creativity alone is usually just a waste of time and effort.