“Reflections On…” contains thoughts regarding professional and personal experiences, philosophical and academic interests, and those ignited by auditory, visual, and other stimuli. Reflecting on various events uncovers memories and emotions as well as finding solutions and peace. Keeping the positive reflections and casting off past experiences holding you back is uplifting. {Fridays}

Greetings and welcome to the first blog in the “Reflections On…” stream!

Upon entering my first philosophy course several years ago I thought, “I’ll need a Texas-sized caffeine beverage & a Snicker’s bar to stay awake!” Little did I realize the seeds planted would sprout years later.

During my doctoral journey I dusted off the cobwebs and felt unanticipated excitement. Learning about how philosophers’ cultural, political, and personal events influenced their perspectives was intriguing. I enjoy Aristotelian a priori focus on creating knowledge from conscious conceptualization. Oftentimes I have more fun playing in Plato’s a posteriori creation of meaning from observations and experiences.

Enjoying the feel of holding books, making notes, and creating rainbows of stickies highlighting passages I discovered my original book including some of Plato’s works. A single page corner was creased. Opening the book, I again entered Plato’s Cave.

Re-reading the story I imagined myself as Plato’s protagonist living in the darkness, bound by chains, dim flickers of light, looming shadows, etc. With fear of the unknown, like Plato’s protagonist would I have the courage to

~ Take a step if the chains were removed or find the strength to break free?

~ Find courage to investigate the shadows?

~ Venture into the light as the brightness increased and hurt my eyes when moving closer to it?

~ Bask in sunlight?

~ Return to the cave and share my experiences to enlighten and encourage others to break free and create their own destiny? Or continue on alone based on fear of retaliation for speaking out against the status quo?

With memories flooding in I wonder

~ Have you ever faced one or more of those scenarios?

~ What thoughts arose?

~ What actions did you take?

~ And a final question to close this scene: Have you ever seen the Cave as a comfort zone? A limitation? Both?

Looking forward to reading your and sharing thoughts.

Please join me next week as our journey into the sunlight, or safety of the Cave, continues!

As Creator, Kaleidoscope Sharing LLC, Dr. Kat Strus (Lt Col, USAF, Retired) endeavors to “Help You Find & Polish Your Authentic Voice!” as a Human Capital Consultant, Voice Talent, and Writer.  For additional insight or to request a free consultation please visit http://www.KaleidoscopeSharing.com