This is such a rich and refreshing way of considering the human experience through a variety of perspectives. I'm going to journal by bringing the reflection questions from all five perspectives to a single subject where I'm feeling stuckness. My hunch is that doing so will nudge me to be more flexible and creative about this subject, which I clearly need to be. Thank you for this insightful piece!
Thank you for this comment. It means a lot to me. I'm glad that this piece can support new creative thought! It is exactly what I hope to do. I wish you so much success in meeting the stuckness with a new perspective and seeing where that takes you!
Thank you for this very helpful piece on the human experience. It reminds me of how we didn’t have most of the comforts we do now for 99% of our evolution (and how we’re blessed in many ways) and how in some of those comforts we’ve lost ourselves. To build a brighter and more purposeful, connective future, we must take into account our entire evolution. Hopefully we will learn how to cope with the current distractions and anxieties and become more present and purpose driven ❤️
It was hard for me to choose just one of the human perspectives you listed. I found something in each one that I would be willing to reflect upon. I find that even at my age I am still learning something new about myself and the world around me. Most of the time I am amazed at the human connection that we can have if we stay open to its possibility. Believing an open mind means listening, caring and changing if need be to embrace those connections. And changing is so hard sometimes when it isn’t possible for many others to change as well due to the patterns you mention. Maybe recognizing we have patterns is the key. Hope is another attribute I see lacking in humans. Sometimes we get so emotionally triggered that hope becomes illusive. Sadly, not everyone can escape hopelessness. I’m fortunate because I realize it’s slipping away from my life and to stay true to what I believe in I somehow find it and grab onto its power. Hope to me is the most powerful of all mysteries. Having hope means everything and anything is possible. In particular change. So I struggle, make mistakes, fall back to my patterns for a time until hope returns because I need it to keep living. I realize your perspectives are much deeper than i am capable of, but you give me the guided questions I can reflect on to keep thinking about and keep trying to be that better person I have always longed to be. Thank you for these revelations that you expose for people like me who still need them. You are an awesome human being and this role in life you have chosen to guide others to their best selves is appreciated at least by this soul. Thank you, Alex for this and for all you give to humankind. ❤️🌼
"I am amazed at the human connection that we can have if we stay open to its possibility" - I think this is SO critical. We are constrained, mostly because of our own openness. When we let go of constraints and open to possibility, we can truly find connection in all sorts of places. You are welcome, and I'm so grateful that you are here. Truly!
What I've noticed about myself in the last 4 years or so is this: I have developed a longing for more contemplation, silence, and introspection. Sort of a weird combination of domesticity and monasticism. I mean, I am a wife and a mom to five kids who have lots of extra needs, so I crave silence more than I did when I was in my twenties and thirties. I think it's because it's so scarce, whether I am in my own home or when I venture into the outside world.
I want time to think, to process, to understand myself. I want to feel grounded and connected to the Earth, to learn lessons from nature, to immerse myself in fresh air, vitamin D from sunshine, negative ions from rainfall, the soothing white noise of rustling leaves. I want to observe the scampering squirrel--just saw one yesterday with a whitish gray tail and white stripes on all four legs, which was interesting and a departure from the typical squirrel I see in our backyard.
This is what I've done, and am continuing to foster every day, so that I can enter into my humanity and live it more fully. I've come to accept that I can't change the global disasters, whether ecological or political, but I still believe I am living in this time and this era for a reason. I am here to impart some type of positive impact in whatever small ways I can. I think touching one life can produce profound ripple effects. I know from being the recipient of simple gestures of kindness, so I try to do that when I engage in my relationships or even among strangers.
After all, what's the point if I can't at least try to leave the world a little better than it was the day before? It sounds trite, I'm sure, but it's how I believe that my life and my unique contributions to the world actually do make a difference.
I don't think the goal of leaving the world just a little better every day is trite! Not at all. All of our incredible human achievements were a result of regular, incremental, effort.
"I crave silence more than I did" - oh how this resonates so deeply with me. For me, it's those little moments of stillness and solitude, where I can be safely with myself, that make a difference in my life. To not rush. To live more slowly.
Yes! "To not rush. To live more slowly." You have no idea how much this describes my own desire for peace and solitude. It's so hard to raise neurodivergent kids--who are incredibly creative and innovative and unconventional, which is AMAZING. But they are also chaotic, disorganized, loud, impulsive, and hyperactive, which is DRAINING. Especially for their mom who is a highly sensitive introvert!
Alex I love all these perspectives. For me it almost feels easier to see the whole picture of a human because it's like you've teased out the different components - does that make sense? Like unraveling a ball of wool so you can see each thread individually. As always I'm looking forward to my next jounrlaling session so I can dive into this more fully 🥰
This is such a rich and refreshing way of considering the human experience through a variety of perspectives. I'm going to journal by bringing the reflection questions from all five perspectives to a single subject where I'm feeling stuckness. My hunch is that doing so will nudge me to be more flexible and creative about this subject, which I clearly need to be. Thank you for this insightful piece!
Thank you for this comment. It means a lot to me. I'm glad that this piece can support new creative thought! It is exactly what I hope to do. I wish you so much success in meeting the stuckness with a new perspective and seeing where that takes you!
Thank you for this very helpful piece on the human experience. It reminds me of how we didn’t have most of the comforts we do now for 99% of our evolution (and how we’re blessed in many ways) and how in some of those comforts we’ve lost ourselves. To build a brighter and more purposeful, connective future, we must take into account our entire evolution. Hopefully we will learn how to cope with the current distractions and anxieties and become more present and purpose driven ❤️
"and how in some of those comforts we’ve lost ourselves" - YES! This. Such a succinct articulation of my overall point.
Thank you being here. ❤️
It was hard for me to choose just one of the human perspectives you listed. I found something in each one that I would be willing to reflect upon. I find that even at my age I am still learning something new about myself and the world around me. Most of the time I am amazed at the human connection that we can have if we stay open to its possibility. Believing an open mind means listening, caring and changing if need be to embrace those connections. And changing is so hard sometimes when it isn’t possible for many others to change as well due to the patterns you mention. Maybe recognizing we have patterns is the key. Hope is another attribute I see lacking in humans. Sometimes we get so emotionally triggered that hope becomes illusive. Sadly, not everyone can escape hopelessness. I’m fortunate because I realize it’s slipping away from my life and to stay true to what I believe in I somehow find it and grab onto its power. Hope to me is the most powerful of all mysteries. Having hope means everything and anything is possible. In particular change. So I struggle, make mistakes, fall back to my patterns for a time until hope returns because I need it to keep living. I realize your perspectives are much deeper than i am capable of, but you give me the guided questions I can reflect on to keep thinking about and keep trying to be that better person I have always longed to be. Thank you for these revelations that you expose for people like me who still need them. You are an awesome human being and this role in life you have chosen to guide others to their best selves is appreciated at least by this soul. Thank you, Alex for this and for all you give to humankind. ❤️🌼
"I am amazed at the human connection that we can have if we stay open to its possibility" - I think this is SO critical. We are constrained, mostly because of our own openness. When we let go of constraints and open to possibility, we can truly find connection in all sorts of places. You are welcome, and I'm so grateful that you are here. Truly!
Alex,
What I've noticed about myself in the last 4 years or so is this: I have developed a longing for more contemplation, silence, and introspection. Sort of a weird combination of domesticity and monasticism. I mean, I am a wife and a mom to five kids who have lots of extra needs, so I crave silence more than I did when I was in my twenties and thirties. I think it's because it's so scarce, whether I am in my own home or when I venture into the outside world.
I want time to think, to process, to understand myself. I want to feel grounded and connected to the Earth, to learn lessons from nature, to immerse myself in fresh air, vitamin D from sunshine, negative ions from rainfall, the soothing white noise of rustling leaves. I want to observe the scampering squirrel--just saw one yesterday with a whitish gray tail and white stripes on all four legs, which was interesting and a departure from the typical squirrel I see in our backyard.
This is what I've done, and am continuing to foster every day, so that I can enter into my humanity and live it more fully. I've come to accept that I can't change the global disasters, whether ecological or political, but I still believe I am living in this time and this era for a reason. I am here to impart some type of positive impact in whatever small ways I can. I think touching one life can produce profound ripple effects. I know from being the recipient of simple gestures of kindness, so I try to do that when I engage in my relationships or even among strangers.
After all, what's the point if I can't at least try to leave the world a little better than it was the day before? It sounds trite, I'm sure, but it's how I believe that my life and my unique contributions to the world actually do make a difference.
I don't think the goal of leaving the world just a little better every day is trite! Not at all. All of our incredible human achievements were a result of regular, incremental, effort.
"I crave silence more than I did" - oh how this resonates so deeply with me. For me, it's those little moments of stillness and solitude, where I can be safely with myself, that make a difference in my life. To not rush. To live more slowly.
Thank you for your share. I so appreciate you. ❤️
Yes! "To not rush. To live more slowly." You have no idea how much this describes my own desire for peace and solitude. It's so hard to raise neurodivergent kids--who are incredibly creative and innovative and unconventional, which is AMAZING. But they are also chaotic, disorganized, loud, impulsive, and hyperactive, which is DRAINING. Especially for their mom who is a highly sensitive introvert!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’d like some time to read and think about what you shared ❤️ I’ll respond later today!
Alex I love all these perspectives. For me it almost feels easier to see the whole picture of a human because it's like you've teased out the different components - does that make sense? Like unraveling a ball of wool so you can see each thread individually. As always I'm looking forward to my next jounrlaling session so I can dive into this more fully 🥰