This is my personal experience of tension and release around a driving decision.

Monday, March 1, 2010

On my way to meet a friend today in Carlsbad, I opened my iPhone to get directions.

The map suggested that I take Jefferson Street. But, I already envisioned taking the 5 and exiting Carlsbad Village Dr.

Tension. “Whoa… This map is telling me one thing, but I’m thinking another.”

“Fuck the map.” I decided to take the route that was already in my mind.

In that moment, the tension went away.

 

 

The point of the story is that tension can arise when an “external map” conflicts with a person’s “internal map.”

People make decisions to resolve tension. The decision could be anything from changing their opinion to taking the I-5 instead of Jefferson St.