Discover Your True Humanity and Desires: Crossing the River by Borrowing a Boat
A friend from another country introduced me to a psychological test called "Borrowing a Boat to Cross the River." She mentioned that it's a test every psychology instructor should teach. I've administered this test to numerous individuals, and it's consistently shown accurate results. It helps reveal what your subconscious truly desires.
First, let me share a story with you
A man, M, wants to meet his fiancée, F, to get married. They are separated by a river, and M needs a boat to cross it so he can see F. Thus, he begins his search for a boat.
A woman named L has a boat. M asks her to borrow it, but L responds, "I’ve fallen in love with you. Do you love me?" M, being truthful, replies, "I'm sorry, I have a fiancée, so I can't love you." Consequently, L refuses to lend M the boat, saying, "I love you, and you don't love me. That's not fair; I won't lend you the boat!"
M is very frustrated and approaches another woman, S, to borrow a boat. S tells him, "I really like you. It doesn't matter if you like me or not, but you'll need to spend one night with me; otherwise, I won’t lend you the boat." M is in a tough spot because there are only two boats available, and if S won't help, he can't reach F. Reluctantly, he agrees to S’s terms. The next day, S keeps her word and lends M the boat.
After he meets his fiancée F, M confesses the whole story about borrowing boats from L and S. F is deeply saddened by this revelation; she perceives M’s actions as unfaithful and finds it impossible to forgive him. F is heartbroken and profoundly affected.
At this point, a woman named E enters M's life, and they begin to date. However, M is still troubled by the previous events. E inquires if there's anything M wants to share with her, so he recounts the entire saga involving L, S, and F. After listening, E states, "I don't mind; this has nothing to do with me."
With the story concluded, here's the question:
Please rank these individuals in order from best to worst: M, L, S, F, and E. Trust your instinct and refrain from overanalyzing or considering public opinion.
Once you've made your selection, scroll down for the answers. These answers are quite straightforward, providing insight into your deepest needs.
M — Money
L — Love
S — Sex
F — Family
E — Career
It’s common to feel uncertain about what you truly want because each aspect of life seems crucial, and letting go of any feels wrong. However, everyone’s priorities are unique. You might envy those who chase careers, wishing you could do the same, or you might long for a fulfilling marriage that seems elusive. This isn't merely luck; what you need greatly influences your life path.
Some might read the answers and feel underwhelmed, thinking, "Is that all? What does this even mean?" But don't let the simplicity fool you; it genuinely reflects your values and provides insights into your life.
I've observed among my friends that many who prioritized E see career as highly important. There's also the interplay between factors; for instance, ranking career and money closely together is common since they are related. Conversely, if you ranked love highest but family lowest, it might suggest skepticism towards the institution of marriage. Your choices can be quite telling. What you desire will certainly shape what you subconsciously pursue.