Thoughts on Being a Creative Human in the World
What is the point of everything? Why are we here? What is my purpose? Why doesn't anything make sense?
Life is full of contradictions, and it can feel like there are so many expectations and ways to fail that we don't know how to even begin to find a way to exist meaningfully in the world. I think this is even more true today, with so much information always at our fingertips! How does a person find the path that most aligns with their spirit, that provides a person with meaning, joy, satisfaction, and the courage to wake up each day to whatever lies ahead?
The writings and art on this page are my own ideas, experiences, and observations about how to be a human in the world. My hope is that, in sharing them, other people may discover their own ability to adapt, grow, and become what they are meant to be.
Finding Yourself by Allowing Your Self to be Found
One of the most difficult things about being human, it seems to me, is feeling safe to be your true self. Most of society seems to constantly send out messages about how we should be - how we should look, how we should behave, what we should/should not do or say. It is all rubbish, all of it, and yet these critiques have a giant impact on our ability to just be who and what we are. I might also point out that we no longer live in an age when we as humans are hunted by large predators (unless, of course, you consider other humans as predators).
It is even worse, now, because there is so much divisiveness over what it even means to be a human! I have thought about this a lot, and while it is pretty ridiculous to consider, I am of the opinion that this all comes about because humans are basically herd animals. Think sheep. The only way to be safe in the world, if you are a sheep, is to behave like a sheep. Stay close to the others. Do what they do. Don't wander off too far - because we all know what happens when you wander away from the safety of your herd.
What if we stopped allowing some primordial instinct to govern our behavior, though? What if we allowed ourselves to shine in whatever wonderful manner makes sense to us? What if we also allowed and encouraged others to do the same? I think that would be such a wonderfully quirky, creative world! Don't you? (And if not, why not? Does it make you afraid or insecure?)
Patient Observation
Life is meant to be lived - to be active, busy, successful, famous, a winner, blah blah blah. Of course, if that is what really sincerely makes you happy, then certainly do those things.
But what if you are just trying to live up to the expectations of those around you? After all, Western society has a way of making you feel like a loser and a failure if you aren't the kind of successful that has followers, money, and fame.
It may be that we are caught up in a lie that we are too busy to see when we feel like that is what life is all about. I would like to suggest to you that there are many very happy people out in the world spending their work and free time doing things that truly satisfy them and make them content. You just don't hear about them because they aren't chasing fame, fortune, or followers. They don't need those things - and neither do you. None of those things will make you happy! Only you can make yourself happy - which mostly happens by paying attention to what really matters to you.
What makes you lose all track of time? What would you gladly do, even if you never got paid or received recognition for it? Observe your life. Make changes so that you experience more of those things! Surround yourself with people who understand what you are all about - and be that person for others. Become one of the happily obscure people. You can always go back to the rat race - but I'm betting you won't.
A Day in the Care of Life
How many hours of your day do you spend in activities that nourish and uplift you? How many minutes are spent mindfully attending to your well-being?
Would you be surprised - if your life suddenly ended - that you had taken so little time to check in with yourself and nurture your true self? Would your ghost-self look around and wonder "Why did I spend so much time doing that?" "Why didn't I pay more attention?"
I'm not talking about regrets here. I'm talking about actually showing up and being attentive to your life - and making choices that reflect that attention: cooking your own meals; taking a shower and putting on something other than pajamas or sweats; making your bed. I know. I know. Old-fashioned ideas.
But let me put it another way. These are the actions we do as kindnesses for the people we care about when they are unable to care for themselves. Why do we think such actions are only kind or valuable when done for someone else and not a kindness done for ourselves?
Learn to Find Joy Everywhere
There is so much in the modern world that captures our attention and takes us away from being totally present with each other (and ourselves, for that matter). We can get so caught up in events and worries that we forget that our friends and loved ones are right beside us. If only we could put down our devices and disconnect from the false attraction of social media/news posts, we might find that we have truer interests we have neglected too long. Live music, dancing, embracing someone we care for - these and many others are things best experienced in a way that can only happen when we are present and aware of the people and things around us. So, too, is a quiet walk in nature or a night outside watching the stars!
When is the last time you remember leaving your devices behind and simply being with the people you care about?
Finding Courage
We cannot explore all that it means to exist in the world if we are too afraid to come out and take part in life! That means not just the delightful and inspiring stuff but also the painful, sad, and heartbreaking parts. As many sages have observed, "What meaning is there in good if we don't experience bad? How can we appreciate light without darkness?"
It has been my own experience that facing difficult situations is what makes us stronger - and more capable of kindness, humility, and empathy. It is also quite true that the longer you live, the more you learn - if you are lucky and/or diligent enough to connect the dots of your experiences and gain wisdom in how to appreciate absolutely everything that has happened to you in your life.
May you discover in yourself a desire to be open to all that happens, and may you give yourself permission to follow that desire in every single thing that you undertake!
Learn to Love Yourself
Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to discover that you are the only person you need to be accountable to. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to realize that the only person whose respect and love you should be seeking is yourself. Please remember always that you are the only person you will spend every single second of your life with!
Knowing these things, it can be helpful to take some time, every day, to ask yourself these questions:
Am I the person I want to be?
Are the values and beliefs I carry with me my own or am I trying to win the approval of someone else?
What actions can I do - today - to reinforce the principles that I love and respect about myself?
When we stop trying to please others (or avoid disappointing them or a zillion other ridiculous behaviors) and learn to value ourselves, our lives can suddenly take on a meaning we never thought possible.
Not Everything Has to be Important
Life as an adult human in the world can seem dreadfully serious. Responsibilities, expectations, an unending list of ways to fail or disappoint.
Sadly, we cannot turn back the clock and return to an age when our immature and foolish behavior was seen as a natural part of being a kid. More's the pity.
However, there is no reason at all that we must be so serious all the time! Opportunities for silliness, innocent fun, and clever interactions are always available for those who pay attention. If you have trouble finding it in your encounters, try watching birds or squirrels. Few creatures on Earth have as much ability to perfect the art of ridiculous and silly as these two species. Put out a bird bath and see the mayhem that ensues as they give new meaning to the idea of bathing! A bird bath filled with water in the winter (in a cold enough climate) also provides a wonderful opportunity to witness squirrels ice-skating and general gymnastic fun.
Why is it creatures in the natural world still remember how to play and have fun - and yet we, who profess to be the smartest of all creatures, lose our sense of frivolity and make do with anger, hatred, and fear? Not everything has to be serious!!
Watch some children or animals and give yourself a refresher course in silly. You won't regret it and you may even start a trend. Anything is possible, right?
