The Gordian knot or the ability to face life with originality

The legend of the Gordian knot suggests an interesting metaphor to reflect on.. Life sometimes rushes us into situations in which our reality becomes chaotic. Knots are those blockages in which ideas do not arise, anxiety rages and fear and worry intensify sensations until we plunge into a very complex personal labyrinth.

In these situations, what we often do is repeat the same patterns of behavior that only entrench the situation. The knots tighten even more and the suffering increases. Now, in those vital moments the most appropriate thing is to apply lateral thinking. Making use of creativity, of that spontaneity full of energy and optimism, is undoubtedly a sensational way to cut those ropes that trap us in unhappiness..

There are stages and circumstances that, indeed, are as complicated as a Gordian knot. However, being able to respond to them with the same resolution as Alexander the Great in his day can be of great help to us. Therefore, let’s delve into this interesting Greek legend that will open up interesting perspectives for us.

The Gordian Knot, the Phrygian Oracle

It was Plutarch, the famous Greek historian, who explained to us in his work Parallel lives a curious story referring to the young king of Macedonia, Alexander the Great. In it, he related a legend as curious as it was special referring to the ancient city of Phrygia (modern Turkey).

An ancient oracle explained that At some point in history, the one who would rise as the true king would cross through the gates of the East.. The signal would be a crow, a dark animal that, upon seeing the true hero cross the threshold, would immediately perch on his shoulder. That’s how it happened. It was a humble shepherd, Gordias, who, upon crossing the gate with his ox cart, was blessed with luck: a crow perched on the yoke of his oxen. The people crowned him king immediately. Later, he would be the father of the famous King Midas.

Now, almost without knowing how, something as strange as it was contradictory happened after that coronation. No one could remove the yoke that joined the oxen to the cart of their newly appointed sovereign. In that moment, The Phrygian oracle spoke again to announce that whoever untied the knot from Gordias’ chariot would dominate all of Asia.

Alexander the Great, a leader with a new mentality

The chariot, yoked to the end of the rudder, remained on the Gordian Acropolis. It remained there for nearly 5 centuries without anyone managing to untie that fearsome and convoluted knot. There were those who spent entire days devising sophisticated strategies to solve that enigma, that unexplained joke where no one seemed to be able to untie the famous Gordian knot.

People left the temple frustrated, angry with themselves and with the capricious gods who, surely, had concocted that scheme. Until one morning, the young Alexander the Great crossed the Phrygian Gate.. Knowing the legend, he did not hesitate to enter the temple accompanied by his men to face the challenge.

He looked at it for a few moments. She tried to untie it by searching, of course, for the weak point of that tangled mass of ropes, just as the others had done. However, Seconds later, he unsheathed his sword and with an accurate cut, cut the knot, releasing the yoke. Next, I would say a phrase that has already remained in our popular culture: It makes no difference to cut it or untie it.

The sadness that does not sink into immobility, the joy that dares to innovate

The history of the Gordian knot suggests interesting reflections. The first is the great value of making use of a more open, creative and innovative mental approach. It is using that lateral thinking that allows us to apply different ideas to a problem that the majority faces in a similar way. Although Alexander the Great’s reaction may seem radical to us, it is still a highly effective solution (both cutting and untying).

On the other hand, there is another approach in cognitive terms that is worth considering. When people walk through the world with sadness on their backs, we carry with us similar thoughts, the same mental focus.. It is very difficult to see other options at these crossroads when what is inside is discomfort, frustration and even anguish.

Hence, sometimes the best option to face that existential Gordian knot is to make a change. Sometimes, the simplest or even blunt options, such as taking a trip, moving away or putting aside what is daily life to begin another stage of life, It suddenly injects us with a new and revulsive feeling: joy.

And this emotion is the most productive in every sense. With it we see the problems from another prism to be able to give new answers, to relativize, to finally unleash those burdens that kept us anchored to discomfort.

To conclude, untying the Gordian knot that slows us down today and that does not allow us to grow and have a meaningful and full life depends on us and our attitude.. Let’s not let ourselves be blocked by it, let’s not let it stop us from living the life we ​​want. Let’s work on it.

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