What does it mean to you to be Human?

A question about our past or our future?

When I was first asked this question it profoundly changed the direction of my thinking and life.*

It’s arguably the most important question of our time.

Meaning is oxygen, oxygen is meaning in our triad of fire (artefacts as fuel, our creativity as heat, and oxygen).  Meaning is ever expanding and deepening, and it is why we are still here and moving towards the future.**

Such meaning, as we explore it and espouse it together, is the only preparation we can make to encounter the future, otherwise, Seth Godin is right to say, ‘We are unprepared to do something for the first time always.’^

When we are caught up in an exploration of being Human we’ll find ourselves caught up in bringing something beautiful and previously unimagined into the world.

“When the universe makes you wonder, all is as it should be.”^^

(*I’ve mentioned elsewhere how my friend and mentor Alex McManus asked this of a group he was working with.  It led me to a lot of reflection and personal definition: To be Human is to live with creativity, generosity, and enjoyment.  Of course, there are as many definitions as there are Humans.)
(**In a way which increasingly regards and respects all species of creature and the planet we share.)
(^From Seth Godin’s It’s Your Turn.  My ongoing encouragement is for us to see humility, gratitude, and faithfulness as means of preparing for creating the future: these creating capacity in us to deal with the complexity of existence.)
(^^Cirque de Soleil’s Varekai, quoted in Alex McManus’s Makers of Fire.)

What if the Human Future could be modelled on a person’s life?

What if your life was chosen to model this future?

What would our future be like?

What would you do differently?

We all have the opportunity to shape the future, though it is something we do together, in millions and billions and trillions of interactions.  The reality of this invites us to live more imaginatively than we do in the space between possibilities.

It is in the disconnect of who we are and who we can be we find ourselves most alive.  Whilst we are drawn towards certainty, we are most alive in our struggles with bringing into being what do not exist.

We want life to work with immediacy like flicking an electric switch.  Yet, when we think about it, life has been stronger and more vibrant for us when we have hurt with hope for something out of reach, when we have failed and learned and failed again.

‘That delay, that hallway, the moment of indecision, the time when we get it and don’t get it at the same time, that’s what freedom feels like.’*

When life asks you to play, and you do not know what to do, then, in this moment, you know, this really matters.

(From Seth Godin’s It’s Your Turn.)

I’m intrigued by Stephen Pyne‘s anthology of fires.  Great fires have been given names, such as the 1950 Chanchaga Fire in Canada which burnt through 1.4 million hectares (mostly forestry), or the 1987 Black Dragon Fire in China which burnt for twenty five days, killing more 200 people and making 33,000 homeless.  Both fires were started by Human activity.

The earth will recover from these fires, and will often be the better for it; not so for the families involved.

I realise, I have my own fires which have brought benefit to me, although they were uncomfortable at the time: the Great Sabbatical Fire of 1998, radically altered the trajectory I was on, and the 2005 Strengths Fire altered my way of thinking in a life-transforming way.  This one still burns beneath the surface of everything I do, and recently erupted on the surface leading to me stepping out of the work I’ve done for more than thirty years.  I also set small fires each day, as I seek to burn away anything prideful or greedy or foolish – often taking the form of being controlling, demanding, and unrealistic.

Questions are great fire-sparks.

Historian David Hackett Fischer describes questions as “cerebral machines that convert curiosity into controlled inquiry.”*  Imagine a world in which questions didn’t exist or were banned.  Many live as though they wished this were so.  Questions threaten the status quo – the deadening build-up of unimaginative and inactive culture and society; Polly LaBarre suggests the best sparking questions are “subversive, disruptive, and playful.”*

Here’s a question I’ve been pondering over the last year:

What would the world be like if we debunked the myth of only a few are creative, the myth of creativity being a solo occupation, and the myth of finding answers being better than asking questions?

(*From Warren Berger’s A More Beautiful Question.)

It’s 1983 and Flashdance’s Irene Cara is powering out the lyrics, ‘Take your passion and make it happen.’

Some wait for the feeling before they move.  Sometimes the feeling never comes.

Others, though, know, when they move, the feeling follows.

Here’s something sent by Andrew and Pete,* two energetic and enthusiastic marketing guys I enjoyed meeting recently; they say:

I thought to pull this in here because, whether you need to earn some money for that thing you do, or find some space and time to contribute it in a gifted way,  the important thing for your future to emerge is for you to turn up.

Every day, turn up with their passion – identified by the thing or things you’re curious about, your skills and do something to change the world.  Even if it’s one person’s world (if you can change one person’s world, you can change more).

When you turn up and do what you must do, your feelings will change (you will also change the feelings of others who share your space).**

One thing for sure is to do nothing, or to hold back, will result in nothing.

I went out for a run earlier.  I’m feeling good about it now.  After injury, I’m getting good signals my body is doing okay.  But in the winter, I never really feel like running – I only know I love running.  So I turned up, pulled on my shoes and went out into wind strong enough to almost stop me in my tracks a few times as I ran up one of the  hills.  At times like this, I remind myself I must respect the miles,which break down into steps.

When you turn up with what it is you must do, then you are developing mastery of something no-one else does.  Chris Anderson brings encouragement to see the market has many more niches than it has had before:

‘What we will see is simply more.  More innovation, in more places, from more people, focused on more narrow niches.^

When I first read these words from Robert Greene, it was as if he was speaking directly to me:

‘You push yourself to learn from every possible source.  You read more books than those who have a formal education, developing this into a lifelong habit … . You try to apply your knowledge in some sort of experiment or practice.  You find yourself second-degree mentors … . You try and make their ideas come to life … .’^^

The future will not be a progression of what already is.  It is unlikely to find you.  But when you increasingly clarify and develop your passion and your skills, you will see your future.  And you will know what you must do now to arrive at your future.

If you struggle with either of these, get in touch because it’s what I do – I imagine people’s futures.

(*Check out Andrew and Pete’s site.)
(**I’m learning this the hard way.  I’ve been in some pretty dreich meetings, where I’ve waited for someone else to lift the mood, and, often, it never happens.  I must do this.)
(^From Chris Anderson”s Makers.)
(^^From Robert Greene’s Mastery.)

When I was a child I would watch adults and wonder whether I could ever live like they were.

In many choices. I had to become an adult.  Even now I marvel at how I manage to live in this adult world.

I realise now, the journey is more accurately about becoming Human than it is about becoming adult.

Even in the 21st century, our destination is elusive.  It appears, the journey is everything, promising more discoveries.

Adults still want assurances everything will be fine, everything will work, and there won’t be any pain.  Yet, it appears, the journey is all about risk.

Since I was at my primary school, when adults appeared like creatures from a different planet to me, the world has changed greatly and rapidly and the degree and speed are only going to increase: ‘The shape of the future is fast.’*

We’re being rushed along and don’t know what lies around the next bend  Our lizard-brain demands we find some safe bubble in which we might journey safely towards death.

We cannot become Human by living in bubbles, though.  And the maelstrom of change will increasingly burst bubbles.

I am told, if I ever find myself thrown out of a kayak or raft in a white-water river, I need to travel downstream feet first.

For those who choose to leave their bubbles behind, or who find themselves burst out from their bubbles, feet-firstness – the ability to anticipate and respond to whatever’s ahead – will be aided by three movements in our lives:

From answers to questions
From comfort to discomfort
From arriving to journeying.

(*From Alex McManus’s Makers of Fire.)
(There’ll be more added to the cartoon for today; what would you put inside the lines?)

Maybe there’s no-one to blame for what just happened.

Maybe it’s an opportunity for feedback and mentoring and coaching, so all can learn together,

Maybe it’s all a consequence of being physical beings in a physical universe, requiring vulnerability on our part if we are to interact with the natural world, understand ourselves to be the individuals we are, live in time which we cannot control, and, appreciate that our short span comes with a sense of destiny – our opportunity to take a little of the weight of Earth from the shoulders of Atlas.*

Of course, sometimes it is our fault, and, rather than blaming someone or something else, we can use this as a learning experience and grow stronger.  (At a point of burn out in my life, I chose not to blame anyone or anything, but take responsibility myself for what had happened, and, more importantly, what would happen; it’s been quite a journey since then.)

Brené Brown believes we have  to counter the blame culture with one which normalises discomfort.  I always carry with me, five elemental truths: life is hard, I am not as special as I think, my life is not about me, I am not in control, and I am going to die.

We live in a physical universe which is uncomfortable and unpredictable, whilst also being beautiful and sustaining.  This universe, though, has offered us the opportunity to have our turn at life.

Those who give in to the uncomfortable and run for cover, lose.  Those who blame others, never taking responsibility for the almost-incomprehensible opportunity they have been given, will lose.

‘The rule is simple: the person who fails the most will win.’**

Something happens when we recognise how we’ve been proffered an amazing opportunity to live and contribute something beautiful, and then, turning up, every day, imperfect, incomplete, and shocked-by-it-all as we are.

When you pass it on, you’re helping to create a non-blame culture.

(*These four dimensions of vulnerability are borrowed from John O’Donohue’s Eternal Echoes.  And the reference to Atlas refers to Jeanette Winterson’s story of Atlas in Weight.)
**From Seth Godin’s It’s Your Turn.)

We’re entering a new world of light.

In terms of new ways of seeing, understanding, and living.*

My friend Alex McManus suggests there are three undercurrents to this: from “outsider” to “insider,” “from “above” to “within,” and, from “against” to “with.”**

Humans are increasingly defined by connectiveness going beyond family and tribe and nation and religion.^  We understand ourselves to be part of the natural world rather than above it.  Instead of competing against one another, we are joining together against those things which threaten all Humans, all species, and our planet.

This new light ‘sees the world as its polis, its city, and all peoples as kindred spirits on journey together.’**

For the light to be purer, we’ll need to descend into the darkness of what we do not see or know about ourselves, which source and control our lives.  There are many things we’re blind to, aspects of who we are which are good and others which are bad.  When we identify the truth about ourselves we’re learning to be truth-tellers, and, as it comes from making ourselves vulnerable, we ensure we carry only the best of who we are into the new world of light – it is a more powerful Self we bring to others.

‘Many powerful organisations fear a truth-teller … who sees the world as it is … a person who cares enough to change it.’^^

Entering into our own darkness, then, enables us to accompany others into their darkness.  (It’s likely someone’s honest telling of their story has helped you to begin your own journey.)

These good things we discover about ourselves in the darkness must be dreamt into the light, often involving connecting with those we do not know just yet, and doing something which feels very much like leaping into the light: “Notice, dream, connect, do” encourages Monika Hardy.^

Questions through accompanied inquiry are often our means of venturing into the darkness.

(*I’m not suggesting this is our destination; future generations will add more and make the light brighter still.)
(**From Alex McManus’s Makers of Fire.)
(^There are always those pushing against and reacting to positive Human movements, and we see these around our globe.)
(^^From Seth Godin’s It’s Your Turn.)

You are more than who you are in this moment.  Your future as a Human Becoming will prove this.

Life, at its best is squiggly.  As we seek to become, we’ll find our lives to be ‘bumpy, weird, strange, funky, and all-round fascinating.’*

As a result, those who make the most of this are shape-shifters.

Who you are can never be defined in the confinement of a word or sentence or metaphor.

Some of this squiggliness comes from realising we’re not complete without others bring to us.  When we connect we’re opening to help coming from beyond us, and then help will come from within us towards others.

Shape-shifters also emphasise questions over answers: inquiry is squiggly.  Answers provide us with straight(-ish) lines of certainty; questions can take us off in a totally different direction.

‘Truth isn’t something you conclude; truth is something you become.’*

Futurist John Seely Brown captures this when he offers how, “We’ve transitioned into always transitioning.”^

The status quo demands, “Stay still!”  You’ll be criticised and shamed because of your lack of linearity.  But you know, the status quo is not what it means to be Human and there is more shape-shifting to be done.  We discover more of what we are becoming in the squiggliness.

Your mission for today, should you choose to accept, is to find and connect with more shape-shifters.^^

Another thing you can have a play with is creating your personal world cloud of values, skills, and metaphors which are important to you.  Today’s cartoon is a play at mine.

(*A word used by Mitch Joel in Ctrl Alt Delete.)
(*From Erwin McManus’s Soul Cravings.)
(^Quoted by Warren Berger in A More Beautiful Question.)
(^^I’ve just spent the afternoon with a group of shape-shifters around exploring ULabs.  We recognised there are more and more people who are entering the squiggliness.)

Our most disruptive questions emerge out of the territories of vulnerability we’re willing to explore.

Some ask questions to show you how much they know or to get something more for themselves.

But others ask questions, admitting what they do not know, and they ask if there is anything they have they can give to you.

Some ask questions which seek out reasons not to connect and trust, proving a cynical point.

But, others ask questions which expose their willingness to grow and connect, which move them beyond truth to trust, and which proffer their less-than perfect resources because they know they’re enough.

Some ask questions to put us off their trail,so they’re not held to account, questions to hide behind so their world remains the same.

But, others ask questions which cross the lines and borders others respect, allowing you to mine their inspiration, brightness, and beauty.

When we ask disruptive questions we’re awakening our ancient memory comprising curiosity towards creativity.    Digging deep, they expose the questioner in their vulnerability, knowing the alternative is often fear, limitation, negativity, bitterness, and disappointment.

Apparently, the average British four-year-old girl asks 390 questions a day, and the boys aren’t far behind.  (I’m reminded of my youngest son at five, following me around the garden asking one question after another.)

Warren Berger asks, ‘Why does that four-year-old girl begin to question less at age five or six?,’ and, ‘Why do others keep questioning …?’*

Curiosity and inquiry have not only driven the rapid development of Human culture and our understanding of what it is to be Human – and there’s more to come for Human Becomings.  Change may well be the only way we get to really answer the question. What does it mean to be Human?

Good questions are like fires reinvigorating life which has stifled and made stale by a few answers made mediocre by time.**

Our questions have to come from deep within us.

We have to find and connect to this place of curiosity and questioning within.  Edward Deci claims it isn’t about whether we can motivate others, but, ‘how can people create the conditions within which others will motivate themselves?’^

All of this has helped me realise I’ve been creating an environment for myself towards recovering curiosity and the ability to ask many questions, rather than reinforcing a few answers.  We’ll all do it differently.  I happen to mix reading, journaling, having many conversations with amazing people, and exploring and experimenting in the work I do with people.

I read with the acronym TEESA in mind: Technology, Environment, Entrepreneurship, Society,  and Arts.  I thought to list all the books I’m exploring and mixing ideas from at the moment:^

TECHNOLOGY
It’s Your Turn by Seth Godin (not available in the UK just yet)
The Particle at the End of the Universe by Sean Carroll
Quantum by Manjit Kumar
Makers of Fire by Alex McManus

ENVIRONMENT
The Necessary Revolution by Peter Senge
Fire by Stephen Pyne

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Makers by Chris Anderson
Make Your Mark edited by Jocelyn Glei
Entrepreneurial StrengthsFinder by Jim Clifton and Sangeeta Bharadwaj
A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger

SOCIETY
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
With the Grain of the Universe by Stanley Hauerwas
The Next 100 Years by George Friedman
The Power of Maps by Denis Wood
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Eternal Echoes by John O’Donohue
Flourish by Martin Seligman

ARTS
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
The Doodle Revolution by Sunni Brown

(*From Warren Berger’s A More Beautiful Question.)
(**And great answers stand the test of time.)
(From Edward Deci’s Why We Do What We Do.)
(^Having so many on the go at the same time is something of an experiment for this year.)