A chandelier light fixture got its start as a simple way of increasing candle output. 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 light. The crystals shimmered and refracted the light and sent it about the room sending colors dancing on the walls. The chandelier was a utilitarian device, 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 became a symbol, and the symbol reflected not light but social standing. That is what occurs with many things on this planet. The car was once simply a device for transportation. Now it has become 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 class and social standing. People have relied on symbols as a way to easily identify and classify the world around it.

It is in this easy classification that the real value gets lost. A famous wine critic once set out a sampling of wines for people to taste. In the first tasting the wine and its cost was known to the taster. The most expensive wines garnered the highest scores in the taste test. Then the critic brought in new tasters only this time miss matched the wines and the bottles. Now the wines that were perceived to be the most expensive received the highest score. Even a wine that nearly tasted like vinegar did above average. Finally, the connoisseur set the wines out without bottle or price and asked people to judge them. Henoticed two things right off. First, the tasters became much less certain and had to try the wines over and over again. Finally, when the judging was finished he discovered that the assessment of the wines was much more accurate. Some of the less expensive wines were in fact better than the $40.00 dollar bottles.

With no clues, people were forced to trust their own instincts. The connoisseur concluded that most people had a sophisticated palette but failed to trust themselves. Trusting oneself is a lesson that many people learn time and time again. They might have an instinct about something but trust the expert ignoring their own instincts.

There are many stories of people getting into trouble because they didn’t trust the nagging feeling in their stomach. So many people 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. The problem is too many people abdicate their own responsibility in the decision making process. A doctor, consultant, or advisor prefers not to make a decision for a client. Most folks have good instincts but forget to use them. Trusting in ones self is a skill worth honing.