A chandelier light fixture got its start as a simple way of maximizing light. chandelier light fixtures were created to spread the light of a candle throughout a room. This was done by placing crystals in front of the flame. The crystals sparkled and refracted the light and sent it about the room often casting small rainbows as the crystal took on qualities of a prism. The chandelier was a tool, a slave of its owner. As light sources turned to gas and electric, the chandelier lost its function, but oddly increased its status. The tool turned into a symbol, and the symbol reflected not light but status. So it is with many things on this planet. The car was once simply a device for transportation. Today it is a way to measure another persons worth. Clothes once simply kept us warm or shielded us from the elements. As civilization progressed they became a way to determine rank and social value. Society loves its symbols as a way to label and understand the world around them.

It is in this easy classification that the real value gets lost. A famous wine reviewer once set out a sampling of wines for people to taste. In the first tasting the wine and its price was known to the taster. The most expensive wines received the highest scores in the taste test. Then the reviewer brought in new tasters only this time he switched the bottles around. Now the wines that were perceived to be the most expensive received the highest score. Even a bottle that wasn’t far from being vinegar did above average. Finally, the critic set the wines out without any indication of label or cost and asked people to judge them. Hewitnessed two things immediately. First, the tasters became much less certain and had to try the wines over and over again. Finally, when the judging was done he discovered that the assessment of the wines was very sophisticated. Some of the less expensive wines were in fact better than the $40.00 dollar bottles.

With no clues, people were required to trust their own instincts. The critic concluded that most people had a sophisticated palette but lacked confidence in themselves. Trusting oneself is a lesson that many people learn over and over again. They might have an feeling about something but trust the expert instead of themselves.

There are countless stories of people getting into trouble because they didn’t trust the nagging feeling in their stomach. A lot of folks who are struggling to keep their homes or who have already lost their homes mention that they had a nagging suspicion that something was off but they ignored their instincts and signed the papers. So many patients have said they knew the doctor was wrong but ignored their instincts.

Experts are there to provide information, skill and help in making decisions. Unfortunately many folks abdicate their own participation in the decision making process. A doctor, consultant, or advisor prefers not to make a decision for someone else. Most folks have good instincts but fail to use them. Trusting in ones self is a skill worth honing.