We are all familiar with the phrase "Think out of the box". And, of course, we all know what it means. Do we? What does "Think out of the box" mean to you? Pause and think about that for a moment, if you will.

Whatever your conclusions, I think most of us would agree that the "box" would be our respective frames of reference with regard to our worldviews. Our frames of reference would have been shaped by our experiences, beliefs, attitudes, and so on. They encapsulate, in a manner of speaking, the sum total of our accumulated knowledge and wisdom up to the present moment.

When we say "Think out of the box", we usually take it to mean "Go beyond current knowledge, experience and wisdom", "Push the boundaries", "Add the experience and wisdom of others; distill, assimilate and use accordingly", and various shades of similar meanings. Have you reflected on what it means to you? What pictures come to your mind? What words do you hear? Do you feel strongly about anything in particular? Or are you having a hard time getting a clear impression about what "Thinking outside the box" looks like, sounds like and/ or feels like? Most people operate within a frame of reference, whatever that frame of reference may be. When encouraged to "Think outside the box", most people would be rather uncomfortable, consciously or unconsciously. While many might trumpet their aspirations to "Go where no man has gone before", they are probably, in fact, inwardly quailing even as they make that proclamation. This is very likely because that assuring frame of reference would no longer be discernible to them. Since there is a lot of pressure to conform to popular notions, this tends to give rise to incredibly convoluted thinking trying to pass off as "Outside-the-box" thinking. Such thinking is, of course, counter-productive. While one or two gems may indeed be unearthed from such obtuseness of thought, most of it would be dissipated as wasted energy. How do we recover some of that wasted energy? Well, a good way would be to encourage people to "Grow your box" instead of "Think out of the box". This would then EXPAND one's frame of reference instead of going outside that frame. As Anna of "Mister God, this is Anna" said, it is not about having our points of view about any particular subject, it is having a much greater number of "Viewing points". (Paraphrased). "Lifelong learning" is another catchphrase bandied about by many today. Well, if we are truly lifelong learners, would we need to increase our capacities? Might part of that be to "Grow our boxes"? Perhaps this line of thought would be less threatening to the majority of people and would possibly lead to more genuine "Thinking outside the box".

So, do you pride yourself in the fact that you "Think out of the box" often? Think again. How about just "Growing your box"? That might serve you better! It might also be what you need to help your people become more creative! What do you think?