The Difference Between Tom Cruise and a Mouse
“Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.”
Several years ago, I read Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography, by Andrew Morton. For years, I've been curious about Tom Cruise's commitment to Scientology. Morton recounts how Tom Cruise advanced through the Scientology hierarchy. Finally, after many years and many hundreds of thousands of dollars, he had reached the level where he would receive all the knowledge and truth of Scientology. Cruise was shocked to hear that all that work and money ended up being for a science-religion based on spaceships and alien creatures.
For three days, Tom Cruise pondered what he had learned. At the end of that time, he decided, rather than cast aside the absurdity of Scientology's ultimate "teaching," he decided to embrace it. He seemed to embrace Scientology because he couldn't admit a mistake of this magnitude and because he would remain an influential figure in this wealthy and powerful secular religion.
Tom Cruise's decision process wasn't too different from a mouse's. Erica Goode, in her article, Mice Don't Know When to Let It Go, Either. She confirms, "Animals, like humans, are reluctant to give up on pursuits they've invested in, psychologists report." University of Minnesota Journal of Science provided a study that found "that mice and rats were just as likely as humans to be influenced by sunk costs." The journal confirms, "The more time they invested in waiting for a reward-in the case of the rodents, flavored pellets; in the case of the humans, entertaining videos-the less likely they were to quit the pursuit before the delay ended."
In both mice and humans, the more time and energy invested in something, the more likely it is that the mouse or person will persist in the behavior. An investment in time and energy can be beneficial if the behavior is beneficial. However, if the behavior is detrimental, it is tough to give up and walk away, as Tom Cruise couldn't walk away from the ridiculous claims of L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology.
Today, think about the commitments you have made in your life. Are there any commitments you have made that are not benefiting you? Are there actually some things, people, or activities that you continue to pursue that are not healthy for you, but you have committed to for so long, you do not have the strength to move forward? If so, name it, pray about it, and try breaking the patterns that have dragged you down. You are more than a mouse or a Scientologist; you can transform your life and make it more fulfilling. God's Spirit is ready to support you. Choose the wisdom of walking away from poor decisions and watch your life grow.
