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Hello and welcome,
the Principles in Business Message Board is about connecting with clients, friends and followers. One of the ways we seek to achieve that is through our monthly Feature Article... one of many existing and future ways in which we intend to share, educate - and provide a source of personal reflection about the human condition.
Having said that, it is just as important to us that readers are able to share their experience of life with the intent to deepen the collective source of reflection and learning. So to that end, we will soon introduce other features (blogs, twitter, etc.) where people can contribute, and have their reflections be a learning path and a source of reflection for themselves and others...
In the meantime, our 'new look' Message Board has the following features. Enjoy!:
Podcasts: a wonderful medium that allows us to communicate ideas to millions of people at one time. With podcasts, we learn again to really listen and absorb the spoken word (and in my experience at least, really listening is a dying art). Each month there will be a new podcast, each representing an eclectic array of views on this year's theme: our human experience. Some will be science-based while others will be philosophic in tone. Some will provide perspectives that challenge the Three Principles stance - some will amplify the listener's understanding of the Principles.
Guest Writers: a section where readers are prompted to reflect on any aspect of the Three Principles, or how they have grown "from the inside out". If you would like to share your insights and experience for publication you are most welcome. Before you do, please read the contributor guidelines.
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Finally, let me extend a word of appreciation to those who have sent messages of encouragement, comments and reflections since I began this Message Board; and who have also encouraged others to join. Many thanks for your support.
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The Message Board Feature Article
THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE Part2: Creativity as a Natural State of Being
"We need to watch out because there are so many animals that we know nothing about and they could be dangerous" said Jeremiah. Louise was foraging through the undergrowth of the backyard. Picking up a worm with the calm composure of an experienced explorer she said "Look, here's a deadly snake".
"What are you two doing?" asked Mum.
"We are in the Amazonian jungle and we're trying to find the lost people of the Satere Mawe tribe" whispered Louise. "Oh!" said Mum in hushed tones. "Can I come too?" "Shush!" replied Jeremiah. Mum got on all fours and followed Jeremiah's lead in the expedition.
All three moved along the fence-line - eyes alert as they tracked beneath the bottlebrush and cautiously moved behind the well-established two meter high pink, cream and white flaxes. Louise (being the only trained botanist on the expedition) explained that the flaxes contained a deadly poison on their razor sharp leaves and warned against getting too close to them. As they moved out from the cover of the flaxes Jeremiah quietly hushed the group. "Stop" he said, "don't move". "What?" said Mum, in quiet conspiracy. "The village..." he replied.
Three pairs of eyes looked beyond the deadly leaves that concealed them and gazed over a clearing. There, mounted on stilts, was a village hut.
"What can you see?" asked mum. "Nothing, nothing at all." answered Louise.
Jeremiah, with an inflated sense of courage, commanded the others to stay where they were, saying "I'll go and check it out". Louise and Mum looked at each other with indignation, following him as he walked into the clear light of day. Jeremiah looked back, slightly annoyed at their disobedience, and at that all three walked towards the stepladder that hung from the entrance of the hut.
Slowly, he placed his left foot on the first rung, and ascended; his eyes fixed upwards towards the edge of the platform while Mum and Louise surveyed the surrounding area. Reaching to platform he pulled his body cautiously upwards and peered into the darkness of the hut.
Suddenly, a primal sound, a roar, was heard in the darkness and unexpected arms encased him; dragging him into the blackness of the hut. He screamed, and struggled to free himself from the vice-like grip his captor held him in.
A familiar voice whispered in his ear "Got you!" Jeremiah's heart was pounding, but it was only (gratefully) Dad, and not some savage who'd imprisoned him.
Gradually, Jeremiah calmed down, taking comfort in his Dad's embrace. The remainder of his Expedition Force clambered up and, concern now gone; began to laugh. What an adventure! And what a surprising twist at the end!
Creativity is who we are
We've all been in the world of imagination and creativity - a world where we are transported into another reality.
As human beings we have a natural and unique ability to expand our reality; to reach well beyond the ordinary. For some, the gift is ever present and dynamic. For others, the gift has sadly been long-dispatched to childhood. For those, pretence is for children. They say "I haven't got time for such foolishness", or "I have more important things to do with my time".
Interestingly, even those with scant regard for the spirit of ingenuity and imagination often have an inventiveness which 'leaks out' through their special talents. There is 'no time for play' but many men are found in backyard sheds where the important work of tinkering with 'projects' is pursued. Or they will be unconsciously creative with art, music, cooking, poetry and other special interest groups.
Originality is born from a mind free of the entanglements that we create. Fear, worry, anxiety about getting a result, anger through to irritation - they all drive us further away from an innovative and fresh experience of life. In our story, Mum could have insisted that Jeremiah and Louise get out of the dirt, avoid the flax plant - any number of anxious thoughts could have destroyed the moment. In her anxiety, she could have prevented the natural flow of the unfolding adventure.
Dad too could have contaminated the story. He could have chosen non-participation over fun and being involved in the 'expedition'. But he didn't. Instead, he chose to enliven and make real the adventure.
There is plenty of credible research to support the fact that creativity is a source of healing, rejuvenation, renewal; and the essential juice to the human spirit. Even the modern workplace, the last bastion of resistance, is discovering that when the human capacity for creativity is supported, encouraged and brought alive; innovation, happiness, productivity, stress and sick leave and workforce retention are all influenced positively.
Creativity is the consequence of a free and uncluttered mind. We know it is time to let go of our constricted and obsessive thoughts when we are laughing less, not having much fun, or finding insufficient time to reflect or relax. When these things are occuring, we rarely experience the beauty (and ignition of) fresh ideas and new insights - more importantly; the feeling and joy of being alive.
The Human Experience Pt.3 continues next month...
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© David Bodman 2011. Permission to copy for personal use is granted.
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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Calendar Events for 2011
How do I become my own best friend? How do I live life more easily? I sometimes wonder if LIFE is working against me - is it? I allow and allow and allow but nothing changes - what am I doing wrong?
Does any of that sound familiar?
This Snapshot is a time to reflect on and experience 'our natural best friend' and discover that we live a graceful life through our intention to love ourselves via a connection to LIFE as it is...
Join us, Saturday 26 March
Acceptance, Resistance, & Everything Inbetween
Audio Podcasts
SPARKING CREATIVITY AT WORK
(Windows Media - 1Kb)
Radio National's Richard Aedy interviews Michael Rennie (from McKinsey & Company) on the place and value of creativity in the workplace. This podcast has a lot to offer listeners who want to reflect on creativity in their life and what brings meaning to their everyday....
What's your experience?
Did you like this podcast?
Guest Writer: Allan Flood
Waking Up Creatively
My best new ideas rise to the surface when I'm on a relaxed sunny jog, showering or lying quietly in bed after waking up. During those times my mind seems to have more "space" for creativity. There is less "me" in myself and I am peaceful, interested and aware.
One reason I'm more creative at those times is that my core human needs are met. All human beings have core needs such as safety, health, relationship, harmony and balance, autonomy, clarity and awareness, purpose and effectiveness, rest and play. When these needs are met, when we're secure, relaxed and aware, our minds and hearts are open. When we're afraid, stressed, angry or depressed because these needs are unmet, our minds are stuck and our hearts heavy. These basic, human "core" values have been identified in the decades of international peace-making work by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg (founder of Non-Violent Communication).
Recognizing and holding closely our core needs is a particularly powerful use of the gift of Thought because, when we recognize and hold deeply the needs at the root of our feelings and behavior, we touch what is alive in us in the moment. Our minds quiet and common sense brings us new ideas and informs us what to do next. When I'm out of ideas and frustrated, by recognizing the core need that's not being met (like a need for safety or respect for example), my mind quiets and I wake up, more able to use Consciousness and Thought creatively like a child does, with affectionate awareness.
Links to Allan Flood:
Perfect Misfortune
(Kindle/Revised)
www.allanflood.com
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