It all starts with presents. I would buy Lush, Rituals and other delicious cosmetics for friends, but not for myself. Also, if I got something from these brands, I would pass it on.
Until recently. I realized that it´s meant also for me and I can spoil myself to the extent of using it. So, if I get some delicious soaps and lotions, I use them and love the feeling of it - the smell, the touch, it´s all a whole new dimension.
It´s also nice that we got lots for scented wedding gifts! And just recently, a pleasant surprise - I was looking for a book I lent to someone and could not remember, who to! And one Sunday afternoon, planting a small flower in our 30cm * 2m front yard, the neighbor brought the book back and a box full of Lush delicacies (apparently, someone dropped it off with him as we were not at home). I am very happy to be reunited with Vegetal Cities, but still do not know who had it, since there was no note with the book. Whoever you are, thank you for getting the book back and for a box full of scented goodies! I am very happy with all of it. I just feel bad about not remembering who I need to thank...
Long live natural soaps and lotions! And friends who bring your books back (by the way, I hope it was inspiring to read the book)!
Assessing it
I am trying to think of all the documentaries we have seen in the past two years about the food we eat (The Future of Food, Our Daily Bread, Food Inc, Supersize Me, and many others), about fishing (The End of the Line) about overall (un-) sustainability issues (The Yes Man, Carrot Mob, Zeitgeist, Home, The Age of Stupid, etc), climate change (the Inconvenient Truth), migratory pressures, financial crises - the list could go on for much longer....There is so much info out there!
These films also propose some really gloomy scenarios. We are all eating mass produced food (whereas distribution inequalities have reached epic proportions), we have overfished the seas, used chemical pesticides and grew non-indigenous crops, grew businesses to a size where even with the very best intentions one does not have an overview of the full supply chain and it´s impact on the environment and communities, a huge part of the ice sheet in Greenland just broke off a day ago (its size is 100 square miles and over 520 feet of thickness) and it is just floating ...there goes our fresh water supply. And there it goes in the Himalayas where it also causes floods in Bangladesh and forces people to flee.
So, it looks really gloomy. Actually, worse than that.
Nevertheless, remember when the volcano is Iceland broke out in April this year for the first time? It was massive chaos. And remember the second time? Everyone was so much more ready to deal with it. We seem to adapt to new realities so well.
So here´s my proposition (and please, feel free to challenge it): Despite the fact that we do not know how the global ecosystems will function after Greenland will be all green, after all red-listed species will disappear, after we have used up all the oil and our western societies will grow very old, but I believe that human life on Earth will continue. We´ll just eat jelly fish and roaches, we´ll lower our consumption standards out of necessity, but we´ll still be around.
I wonder if the massive global distribution inequality will be reduced....but nonetheless, we´ll be here, possibly fighting over something we perceive as scarce, whereas it´s abundant.
I wish governments and captains of industry created a bigger wave of change and brought about a systemic change in the way we live. To start thinking in a long term, holistic way is (in my opinion) the solution. Yet, this needs to happen not on moral grounds, but based on the business case we create with sustainability. This would be the best case scenario. I see so many initiatives, so many enlightened well connected people who are working for this change, but I do not see the critical mass forming fast enough.
This is the reason for my proposition: even if we do not change our ways of doing business and consuming fast enough, we´ll eventually learn to adapt - learn to take care of ourselves, possibly even grow our urban food, live in less comfortable conditions, do whatever it takes. And start all over again. There were plagues in the middle ages. There were wars, economic crises...there were even times when our ancestors didn´t quite control fire. And look how far we got.
This is not to say that we should stop trying to fix what we are destroying - it is just to say that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, that I believe we´ll make it. It may not be the brightest sunlight at the end of the tunnel, but it´s not all that dark either.
How do you see this (not) happening? What will be left of us?
Sunflowers
I was looking for inspiration on a cloudy August morning. August mornings are generally sunny, in most parts of the world. Not so often in Amsterdam.
Last Saturday some friends came over to eat delicious lamb stew and cataplana (I guess the Algarve version of paella), have some delicious drinks and finsh with my home made cakes. (I have fallen in love with maknig cakes - it's a very relaxing process. And I rarely follow a recipe - which gives me as much space for creativity as I am willing to create for myself.)
Anyways, apart from the great (often unfinished) conversations and the many extra bottles of wine we now have at home, I got some flowers (Ik ben gek op bloemen!!!). Among the flowers were also sunflowers.
Since I have also bought a bouquet of sunflowers on Saturday morning at the market, our tiny apartment was getting very full of sunflowers. So I brought some to work today.
It it worked magic - the contrast with the grey sky was way too big. The yellow of the sunflowers is so full of life, warmth and optimism! It even turned the grey sky somewhat sunnier!
Long live the power of flowers!
Empathic Civilization
I would like to recommend a pretty awesome (and calming) animated video on the Empathic Civilization. Delivered by Jeremy Rifkin at the Royal Society of Arts, drawn by I am not sure who, but really well.
I am one of the lucky dudettes who saw Jeremy Rifkin live negotiating with the President of the European Commission about a carbon free economy. But Mr. Rifkin was on the side of hydrogen and the European public opinion was not. So, no deal.
Nevertheless, good and constructive thinking!
It's Friday afternoon and the only empathy I feel right now is towards a bed I would like to curl up in - or maybe a drink on a sunny terrace before..hmmm...very tempting.
Anyways, if you have 10 minutes and would like to learn about a new evolutinoary theory, click on the one above.
Cheers!
I am one of the lucky dudettes who saw Jeremy Rifkin live negotiating with the President of the European Commission about a carbon free economy. But Mr. Rifkin was on the side of hydrogen and the European public opinion was not. So, no deal.
Nevertheless, good and constructive thinking!
It's Friday afternoon and the only empathy I feel right now is towards a bed I would like to curl up in - or maybe a drink on a sunny terrace before..hmmm...very tempting.
Anyways, if you have 10 minutes and would like to learn about a new evolutinoary theory, click on the one above.
Cheers!
Unexpected
So we were at the Snoop Dogg concert on Monday night at Rabozaal in Melkweg. I was sitting there, listening to music I would sometimes find vulgar, and then it all clicked.There was something clean and sharp about his performance. There was a connection with the audience, sympathy and yet the cool attitude with the diamond glove / microphone. There was cursing, plenty of weed, and yet something extremely coherent, very professional, neat and smart.
And then I thought: I will write in my blog about people who inspire me. Not only people who derictly work to change the world, but anyone in whom I can spot that special something. For me, in Snoop Dogg it was his sharpness, his alignment with his message yet an elegant way.
I have to admit, I was impressed....I didn´t quite drop it like it was hot, but I saw a great professional on stage. Who entertained for 90 minutes sharp, with his two bodyguards like wardrobes on the sides of the stage. With the diamond glove mic. It really worked for me!
It´s amazing how you find inspiration sometimes in places that you don´t expect.
And that´s it.
Someone stole the front wheel of my bike today. I may just track the person down and see if I find something inspiring in him...
Expectations
Or maybe assumptions....I see parallels between the FIFA cup and all other aspects of life. So far, none of the matches have ended the way I would have predicted them before the world cup started. I am now wondering if I should adjust my expectations going forward or my favorite teams smarten up and do not kick the ball to hard if they know it will fly to far....
Anyways, I see myself betting on other people´s success, and lack of it. But it does not always work out according to my expectations. And then it´s me: I bet on my successes and failures and sometimes it just happens differently. If I am sure of something, it can still work out differently then I thought. And that is when I feel very happy or extremely down. Thus it seems that breaking down expectations would help avoid feeling down if something doesn´t work out.
This sounds good, but that means also watching the final f the world cup without any emotion - to avoid disappointment.
And that thought is not too appealing to me. Life is supposed to feel like something after all, right?
Even though expectations and assumptions are generally not very helpful, we cannot live without them - they drive us, give us hope, give us worries, whatever to make us feel alive - to give us downs - and amazing, intoxicating UPS :-) (Not the United Parcel Service)
Anyways, I see myself betting on other people´s success, and lack of it. But it does not always work out according to my expectations. And then it´s me: I bet on my successes and failures and sometimes it just happens differently. If I am sure of something, it can still work out differently then I thought. And that is when I feel very happy or extremely down. Thus it seems that breaking down expectations would help avoid feeling down if something doesn´t work out.
This sounds good, but that means also watching the final f the world cup without any emotion - to avoid disappointment.
And that thought is not too appealing to me. Life is supposed to feel like something after all, right?
Even though expectations and assumptions are generally not very helpful, we cannot live without them - they drive us, give us hope, give us worries, whatever to make us feel alive - to give us downs - and amazing, intoxicating UPS :-) (Not the United Parcel Service)
Global crises made fun
I am listening to the 2010 FIFA Theme Song by K´naan. And finally the long searched pieces of the puzzle came together: people ask why there is never so much excitement around UN general assembly meetings as there is around the world cup. Why Copenhagen failed even though people walked, cycled and swam there from all over the world? Why the whole sustainability conversation is becoming a nuisance before it reached it´s tipping point?
Was there a theme song associated with them? Were people betting on the outcome? Did people wave flags and wear colorful wigs? Did everyone move in one one rhythm, did people really connect for the purpose? Did people hang out with friends, having something to drink, to eat and staring glued at the screen while making jokes, yelling at the players thousands of kilometers away, jump out excited every time a player approached the goal?
It is true, sustainability has become a fashion thing, but it has never really become FUN, something that connects us out of joy instead of necessity.
So, to all those campaigning for a more connected, more responsible future - MAKE IT FUN! Make people´s feet dance, but fundamentally, not here and there every now and then!
Let´s see if COP 16 in Mexico can make the FUN and the change - the success. We still have time - good 5 months!
Summer's here
Not only have I not written for over a month, I am still out of ideas that could be topics of general interest. I feel like writing up a list of bullet points on all the things happening in the world and in my life. But that is not too helpful, either.
So I will write about the spring / summer in Amsterdam that again makes all my doubts about the city vanish. I have just had a not entirely pleasant tax attorney on the phone for 20 minutes, and not having resolved my issue, I still feel no anger. I must be because I see the Magere Brug from my office window. And the sun is shining.
Friends are coming to town, we are going to places, having a good time all over. What else? There are some major international issues as we speak (such as the BP oil spill, the Israeli attack on the aid convoy, the resignation of the Japanese prime minister, just to mention a few), but since I now feel an urge to enjoy the sun and do my job well to maximize my impact in my own position & live a sustainable life, I can only observe the development on the international scene.
And, the World Cup is starting. Summer is here. BBQ and picnic time almost every day. We live in the city with amazing parks all over the place. With canals to avoid dry air. With a comfortable background. It's fantastic, but maybe it's unfair and wrong. Nevertheless, would "not enjoying what you have" also not be wrong?
So, let's just let it flow... and go with the flow... and have an amazing early summer 2010 (I am still tempted to type 2009)....
So I will write about the spring / summer in Amsterdam that again makes all my doubts about the city vanish. I have just had a not entirely pleasant tax attorney on the phone for 20 minutes, and not having resolved my issue, I still feel no anger. I must be because I see the Magere Brug from my office window. And the sun is shining.
Friends are coming to town, we are going to places, having a good time all over. What else? There are some major international issues as we speak (such as the BP oil spill, the Israeli attack on the aid convoy, the resignation of the Japanese prime minister, just to mention a few), but since I now feel an urge to enjoy the sun and do my job well to maximize my impact in my own position & live a sustainable life, I can only observe the development on the international scene.
And, the World Cup is starting. Summer is here. BBQ and picnic time almost every day. We live in the city with amazing parks all over the place. With canals to avoid dry air. With a comfortable background. It's fantastic, but maybe it's unfair and wrong. Nevertheless, would "not enjoying what you have" also not be wrong?
So, let's just let it flow... and go with the flow... and have an amazing early summer 2010 (I am still tempted to type 2009)....
Just live with it?
I read a newspaper article this morning, about gypsy women is Slovakia. How they are treated as "damaged goods" if they do not give birth by their 16th birthday. How many of them escape from hospital after giving birth to please their husbands sexual desire before he has time to go pay a visit to the neighbor's wife.
I have recently seen the movie Precious, where a girl was continuously raped by her father and gave birth to two children.
I know that in our society women are way better off then elsewhere. Practically, we are equal to men. We have the same rights, yet sex industry and sexism in advertisement and showbiz continues. If it's by choice, be my guest. I do not mind at all if ladies out of their free will accept being treated as a sexual object.
I mind if it affects me.
I mind if someone misleads and and disrespects me.
I mind if I am valued for who I please and not for myself.
I am aware of the fact that any woman's situation in the western world is so much better than in other cultures. And I am thankful for that.
But I do not understand why is it fun to make sexist jokes, why is it okay for men to joke about their wives, why are women still working against their will in the sex industry, why are women so often still having to put up even with the infidelity of their partners and silently stay by their side.
Just thinking about it makes me shake with anger. Just because something is common practice, it does not mean that it should stay that way. Women have the same right as men. I want them to have same respect as men.
Women are amazing creatures. Not objects of desire. Not items to possess.
I am a woman. I am different from a man. But I do not give up on demanding the same respect as I offer to men. I wonder how other ladies feel about it.
I do not want to call myself a feminist. I a a humanist - wanting equal respect for both genders. What is the level of respect depends on the individuals. I for example would like to be treated as I treat others.
And if that is not good enough, treat me back badly. My own fault.
But I just cannot live with "that's just the way it is". That will not get us any further.
I have recently seen the movie Precious, where a girl was continuously raped by her father and gave birth to two children.
I know that in our society women are way better off then elsewhere. Practically, we are equal to men. We have the same rights, yet sex industry and sexism in advertisement and showbiz continues. If it's by choice, be my guest. I do not mind at all if ladies out of their free will accept being treated as a sexual object.
I mind if it affects me.
I mind if someone misleads and and disrespects me.
I mind if I am valued for who I please and not for myself.
I am aware of the fact that any woman's situation in the western world is so much better than in other cultures. And I am thankful for that.
But I do not understand why is it fun to make sexist jokes, why is it okay for men to joke about their wives, why are women still working against their will in the sex industry, why are women so often still having to put up even with the infidelity of their partners and silently stay by their side.
Just thinking about it makes me shake with anger. Just because something is common practice, it does not mean that it should stay that way. Women have the same right as men. I want them to have same respect as men.
Women are amazing creatures. Not objects of desire. Not items to possess.
I am a woman. I am different from a man. But I do not give up on demanding the same respect as I offer to men. I wonder how other ladies feel about it.
I do not want to call myself a feminist. I a a humanist - wanting equal respect for both genders. What is the level of respect depends on the individuals. I for example would like to be treated as I treat others.
And if that is not good enough, treat me back badly. My own fault.
But I just cannot live with "that's just the way it is". That will not get us any further.
Queensday
It is not the Queens birthday, but we celebrate is nevertheless. With the whole city becoming a marketplace, a massive concert hall.
It starts the night before the "Birthday". I would like to be there right now. But my kidneys decided to hurt, so I just decided to stay at home and catch up with friends online.
This occasion in town also attracts many other people who actually do not live here and they all want to catch up. It´s a nice period, also because it´s already spring and it´s a public holiday.
Basically, this day mark the beginning to festivities in the city - BBQs in parks, outdoor festivals, enjoying a white beer on the terrace of a cafe after work... oh, Queen´s day marks the beginning of the fun part of the year.
And about the rest of the year...let´s not think about it now.
So, let me go back to watching tv and sweating to get cured so that I can dive into the joyful city tomorrow morning!
The thing is, the city is too crowded to meet the people you are actually looking for. But there is a good chance you run into many others, almost forgotten acquaintances!
Long live the Queen!
It starts the night before the "Birthday". I would like to be there right now. But my kidneys decided to hurt, so I just decided to stay at home and catch up with friends online.
This occasion in town also attracts many other people who actually do not live here and they all want to catch up. It´s a nice period, also because it´s already spring and it´s a public holiday.
Basically, this day mark the beginning to festivities in the city - BBQs in parks, outdoor festivals, enjoying a white beer on the terrace of a cafe after work... oh, Queen´s day marks the beginning of the fun part of the year.
And about the rest of the year...let´s not think about it now.
So, let me go back to watching tv and sweating to get cured so that I can dive into the joyful city tomorrow morning!
The thing is, the city is too crowded to meet the people you are actually looking for. But there is a good chance you run into many others, almost forgotten acquaintances!
Long live the Queen!
Busy
Spring is here and it feels like you have to do 200 things at the same time - pick up dusty hobby projects and bring them back to light, take a few personal development courses (that you don´t find the time to do homework for), finally ask the physiotherapist about the cure to your back pain, visit friends in neighboring countries, get your family to visit you for a celebration, celebrate the Queen´s birthday and sigh with relief that you won´t vote in the national elections.
And this is just a start - organize and attend parties, dinners, BBQs, lend a shoulder to your friends who do not see the joy in the spring and - goes without saying - perform beyond anyone´s expectation at work.
Yeyyy, so much fun! Going to have a drink to celebrate activity :-)
And this is just a start - organize and attend parties, dinners, BBQs, lend a shoulder to your friends who do not see the joy in the spring and - goes without saying - perform beyond anyone´s expectation at work.
Yeyyy, so much fun! Going to have a drink to celebrate activity :-)
GRI conference
Today I go for the straightforward post: an update on something happening in Amsterdam and very relevant to anyone
1) caring about sustainability
2) wanting to find out more about the changing landscape on actors in the field of sustainability
3) interested in hearing the latest news from the world´s top 100 sustainability people
4) wanting to network with leaders in the field.
I will be there for sure. It´s still not too late to sign up.
See you there, too?
Deep Democracy
Just came back from a two day workshop on Deep Democracy (http://deep-democracy.net/). I recommend for anyone who has been in difficult situations of deliberating to have a look at it. The basic concept build on the fact that if 50% + 1 vote for a certain thing, it goes through. It is still decided by the majority, but leaves 50% -1 unhappy with the outcome.
To give you a taste of what Deep Democracy does as a social technology, it acknowledges the position of those who did not win the vote and explores how to avoid them becoming disengaged (or even working against the majority) by posing a simple question:
What do you need to come along?
It explores what is it the majority will need to do to not lose the minority. Depending on the topic of deliberation, the answer will vary - from "I am fine with it" to "I need to vote again, I do not believe we did not come out on top".
There is an elaborate theory on how to use this tool. Nevertheless, there are some tricks that can be used even out of context and they are still extremely helpful in helping organizations keep their coherence.
To give you a taste of what Deep Democracy does as a social technology, it acknowledges the position of those who did not win the vote and explores how to avoid them becoming disengaged (or even working against the majority) by posing a simple question:
What do you need to come along?
It explores what is it the majority will need to do to not lose the minority. Depending on the topic of deliberation, the answer will vary - from "I am fine with it" to "I need to vote again, I do not believe we did not come out on top".
There is an elaborate theory on how to use this tool. Nevertheless, there are some tricks that can be used even out of context and they are still extremely helpful in helping organizations keep their coherence.
What really matters - and when
The sustainable and responsible lifestyle of the Bhutanese and several African and South-American communities is an inspiring story. The connectedness to one's environment and the community of living at large is a powerful example.
Sometimes, when empathy and care seems so absent from our lives, pragmatism and survival seems to be the main message that comes across. I have however recently become aware of two cases that allowed me to think: when the time comes, even though it will be painful, we, as humanity or as smaller communities, will return to our roots, our values and re-evaluate our way of being.
The first story is about Iceland, in September 2009, during the unimaginable economic recession.The news came on Euronews: Jon Olafsson, a social sciences professor, said that the heroes of yesterday are considered the villains of today, and that people's values and lifestyles are changing together with a shift in mindset. This extraordinary example shows, that once circumstances change and we cannot go around living our life as before, we may be at the right spot to rethink, what we actually are doing right and what really matters. Material possessions matter, but maybe not as much as we often think they do.
The other example was Haiti - the news in the New York Times reported "Fighting Starvations, Haitians Share Portions", saying that new rules of hunger etiquette were emerging. Regardless of how hungry the person is who receives food, it always needs to be shared. Many women started up improvised soup kitchen selling food at discounted price. Even though it will be very difficult for the country to get out if its current situation, people are not sitting around idly, but are trying to rebuild their lives, thereby even becoming social entrepreneurs and caring for the community's needs.
Haitians are in this together and while the Western world is trying to help out, it will be up to the locals to rebuild their lives. It is beautiful to see that they are already doing so - based on the laws of sharing and caring. While no one knows how the road to recovery will look in Haiti, it is already visible that the Haitians will do their best to to it together, to be there for each other, to create an economy based on sharing, not on quick growth.
There are beyond doubt mane more similar cases, even in our respective neighborhoods. These examples are truly powerful and empowering. These prove that an alternative way of thinking and acting is possible and viable. It makes 2010 a really hopeful year and the years ahead even more so.
Sometimes, when empathy and care seems so absent from our lives, pragmatism and survival seems to be the main message that comes across. I have however recently become aware of two cases that allowed me to think: when the time comes, even though it will be painful, we, as humanity or as smaller communities, will return to our roots, our values and re-evaluate our way of being.
The first story is about Iceland, in September 2009, during the unimaginable economic recession.The news came on Euronews: Jon Olafsson, a social sciences professor, said that the heroes of yesterday are considered the villains of today, and that people's values and lifestyles are changing together with a shift in mindset. This extraordinary example shows, that once circumstances change and we cannot go around living our life as before, we may be at the right spot to rethink, what we actually are doing right and what really matters. Material possessions matter, but maybe not as much as we often think they do.
The other example was Haiti - the news in the New York Times reported "Fighting Starvations, Haitians Share Portions", saying that new rules of hunger etiquette were emerging. Regardless of how hungry the person is who receives food, it always needs to be shared. Many women started up improvised soup kitchen selling food at discounted price. Even though it will be very difficult for the country to get out if its current situation, people are not sitting around idly, but are trying to rebuild their lives, thereby even becoming social entrepreneurs and caring for the community's needs.
Haitians are in this together and while the Western world is trying to help out, it will be up to the locals to rebuild their lives. It is beautiful to see that they are already doing so - based on the laws of sharing and caring. While no one knows how the road to recovery will look in Haiti, it is already visible that the Haitians will do their best to to it together, to be there for each other, to create an economy based on sharing, not on quick growth.
There are beyond doubt mane more similar cases, even in our respective neighborhoods. These examples are truly powerful and empowering. These prove that an alternative way of thinking and acting is possible and viable. It makes 2010 a really hopeful year and the years ahead even more so.
Paris
I wanted to write a post about the WACAP conference organised by the UNDP in Rotterdam on 24-26 February, which aimed to empower cities and municipalities to fight poverty and social exclusion. And I hope to come back to that theme.
But more importantly (for me), we have just spent a weekend in Paris and that experience took over the space of WACAP in my brain. Paris, mon amour, pour toujours....
I used to study in Paris and had quite a hard time. And I have not gone back there for 6 years. Until last week. The city changed - the restaurant I used to work at is now an artist atelier. Yet the monuments of the city look exactly the same way they did six years ago. Saint Michel, Jardin de Luxembourg, Place de Vosges, Ile Saint Louis....sheer beauty!
There were also a lot of those who did not make use of the numerous Cartier and Lancel stores. Poverty was around before and was there now. Pickpockets have equipped themselves with new tricks. Everyone seemed to be a smoker. There was decadence, shopping and something that vaguely reminded me of good food and art.
An amazing weekend, though.
The experience was quite different from my previous visits to the town. It is strange to think about it, but it was mainly because I was somewhat less broke than on previous encounters with the city of romance, decadence, Serge Gainsbourg, fashion and elegance.
I have an itch to go back, soon again!
Pragmatic generation
I attended a lunch talk yesterday at the Hub (www.the-hub.net - in case you are interested). The theme of the conversation was social innovation in the city - it came down to social cohesion and how to make it happen in a creative, co-creating way.
I never really thought about the role of generations - Generaton X, Y, Z (Digital Natives), Baby Boomers, Baby Busters, Lost Generation etc. But a gentleman at the lunch talk yesterday said to us: you are a pragmatic generation - you are not fighting against anything, you are fighting FOR what you believe in.
While I agree with that, I still believe I am more of an idealist than a pragmatist. After all, I am Generation Y. Until I looked up on Wikipedia the "List of Generations". It turns out, that being born in 1980 still puts me in the Generation X category. Which is a wake up call,
I am looking at my birth date now.... 1980. It really sounds so last millennium.
Pragmatist last millennium. So I sit here and try not to get too passionate about the things I find important, about things I disagree with, about anything. I am trying be be a pragmatist Generation X person.
But since I find it difficult, it gives me hope that I may just not fit the usual description of any generation, since I was born in a particular part of the world, with specific experiences that did not make the Generation X features strong in me.
After all, Generation X,Y,Z only fits some people, not so much others. And that's fine. We do not need to squeeze ourselves into tight little boxes.
Let's just be - passionate or pragmatic - whatever works for you!
Working together
So I decided to put my energy and effort into a for profit initiative to bring awareness to businesses on sustainable practices. For almost nothing, for less than unemployment benefit (it's also true that I am not entitled to this "uitkering"). Full time. Getting the project off the ground, lots of things done.
A kind person recently told me that "You must be really desperate to make a difference!". I smiled. And now I smile again. For for a different reason. One has ultimately no one else to blame for certain choices but themselves.
Being into personal development and community building, yet also on the journey of defining my borders, I took the role on and tried to be assertive, yet hard working. Working a lot, delivering results for almost nothing. For helping a company to build a project I would not be around to enjoy the benefits of. Fully understanding that I do it for the purpose, for large companies rethinking certain ways. Yet, I also hoped to generate open communication and feedback loops.
I got my feedback this morning, while getting ready to engage some organisations for potential partnership. It said, "Thank you, that's it. We work with different rules. You can leave. Now."
Oops, that is normally not what an open, adaptive organisation would say. At least for sure they would not start the conversation with this. So, here I am, feeling better about not working for something I believe in with people I find hard to believe in. When you look back, it becomes all clear, the messages you should have picked up on earlier. It did not happen, though. So I smile. Yes, maybe I was just a tiny bit to desperate to make a difference since I have no agreement on paper. If with nothing else at all, I will walk away richer. In experience.
Sometimes you are not aware of the things you are capable of doing. In this role, I could sometimes hardly believe the success I achieved in a day. Real confidence boost.
I also learnt that there are many people out there not open to personal development, and despite being great people, they still hold on too tight to the command & control type of management.
I learnt that I need to watch my back better. And that I need to find ways to get people to talk before they explode and there is no way back.
Well, all in all, it was great. But I hope I won't do it again! :-)
A kind person recently told me that "You must be really desperate to make a difference!". I smiled. And now I smile again. For for a different reason. One has ultimately no one else to blame for certain choices but themselves.
Being into personal development and community building, yet also on the journey of defining my borders, I took the role on and tried to be assertive, yet hard working. Working a lot, delivering results for almost nothing. For helping a company to build a project I would not be around to enjoy the benefits of. Fully understanding that I do it for the purpose, for large companies rethinking certain ways. Yet, I also hoped to generate open communication and feedback loops.
I got my feedback this morning, while getting ready to engage some organisations for potential partnership. It said, "Thank you, that's it. We work with different rules. You can leave. Now."
Oops, that is normally not what an open, adaptive organisation would say. At least for sure they would not start the conversation with this. So, here I am, feeling better about not working for something I believe in with people I find hard to believe in. When you look back, it becomes all clear, the messages you should have picked up on earlier. It did not happen, though. So I smile. Yes, maybe I was just a tiny bit to desperate to make a difference since I have no agreement on paper. If with nothing else at all, I will walk away richer. In experience.
Sometimes you are not aware of the things you are capable of doing. In this role, I could sometimes hardly believe the success I achieved in a day. Real confidence boost.
I also learnt that there are many people out there not open to personal development, and despite being great people, they still hold on too tight to the command & control type of management.
I learnt that I need to watch my back better. And that I need to find ways to get people to talk before they explode and there is no way back.
Well, all in all, it was great. But I hope I won't do it again! :-)
High Potential
Last night - one of my volunteer activities - I had the opportunity to work with 20+ high potential "allochtonen" - non-Dutch students. They were between 20 and 24, working at banks, municipalities, doing UN internships, etc. There was so much ambition in the room, that I wondered how I will manage to ask them "What do you still need to improve about yourself?". They did not need improvement - in their own perception. So we did an exercise. It was a challenge to keep them focused and invite them to re-examine their ways.I did a similar exercise last year. With the previous group. Yesterday, some of them came to share their experience from the year long program. I remember, last year the room was full of ambitions and will, too. I was wondering how last year's group has changed. And they have changed - they have become more grounded, calm, but did not lose their determination. They were fully present. One of them said that she met a lot of people, great networking opportunities. And not only can you network for yourself, but also for the others. So I thought, how great! They have become aware of the true power of networking. Just do it and make the best connections happen. Don't worry, you will not lose your position by letting other benefit from your network.
I also saw this high potentials as hungry for success. Do the morally right thing. I am still an idealist, but I have given up looking for absolute answers. They haven't. It is also fine to be very ambitious and embark on a corporate journey. It may be the right journey for some. All I would like to help them see, that there are alternatives to that journey. That there are no absolute answers and it's a matter of balancing ways forward. Why not try doing good and doing well, for example?
Can you ever get over it?
I am not even fully aware of the definition of social intelligence, but I intuitively think, that smiling and being nice to those around you is part of it.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love the Netherlands, and admire their egalitarian approach to everything. I like how they do not make big deals out of things.
On the other hand, having to prepare for your interaction with those working in the service industry as one would prepare for a minor battle, does take a lot of energy. I just came back from the pharmacy... I felt terrible about daring to disturb the ladies standing in front of shelves reaching up to the ceiling, not wearing a white coat, putting boxes here and there and then back here, for signature and then with a piece of paper back there.
My box of medicine was within the reach of my arm, on the counter, but it has not been checked out yet by the head pharmacist (?). So I stood. Like the other fellow intruders, we were taken for thin air. We were even afraid to talk to each other not to disturb the box relocating process. But frustration was building up.
I just want that little box. I do not mind any more the state of health insurance, I am willing to pay for it. Just let me have it. But no... Ultimately one of the ladies came over and after 10 minutes of soundless waiting, almost a tear of despair in my eye, I got the box!!! Victory!
I left the pharmacy, feeling the cold Amsterdam air felt so refreshing, I was not the intruder at the pharmacy any more.
And now I needed milk. But I could pick it up at the supermarket where I did not have to wait at the mercy of shopkeeper, I just took it from the shelf and rejoice the young girl at the counter, who does not look at me and looks extremely bored, but at least she scans all my groceries in 20 seconds and I am out and free of the service industry again...for hours!!!!
Still, I will not get it. Everyone likes being smiled at. Do not people in the service industry understand that smiling is the first step to building lasting relationships with clients?
Or am I missing out on something?
The luxury problem
Given the current economic downturn, many people have found themselves out of jobs and struggling to find their next engagement. Most people are out of their usual jobs by necessity, not so much by choice.
In that respect, I belonged to the luckier ones - I have decided to move on despite an offer to stay. Once you know what matters to you and you know what capacities you have to contribute to making your dream job happen, you just have to go. In turns out that many young people realised at the same time as myself, that having a CSR related, responsible and connected job is what they want. This made a market in Amsterdam rather saturated. I have heard that to positions where previously 10 people would apply, organizations are now receiving over 200 applications. It's even so hard to make sure anyone actually has the time to read all those CVs and motivation letters through.
And it's just as hard to stay motivated as a job seeker.
I was again on the lucky end of the spectrum, I was volunteering for an NGO I highly admired and we created some interesting programs. Yet at the end of the day, some income is necessary to keep going. So I kept looking.
And then it happened.
The luxury problem - I got 3 job offers in one week. All the the range of what I was looking for, with minor trade offs. What do you do? Which way do you take? How do you explain to yourself and those who offered you the jobs you end up not taking why you decided the way you did?
So I googled the solution: "How to build a good career" - I looked up all the criteria that you should base your decision on.
I talked to a motivational speaker and asked him what he would do. I tried to sleep over it. And nothing, I was still struggling to decide. I was blaming it on my zodiac (I am a libra). But still...
And then, I went about it the other way.
I asked why would I accept each of the offer. And I came to the core of the issue. If I accepted one, eventually, I would be very exhausted from commuting. The other one I would have accepted for the team. And the third I would have accepted for myself, for my ambition, to prove to myself that I can make it.
Success is still not guaranteed. But I made my choice. At least temporarily (the offer is temporary).
So, sad story turned good story turned reality. Let's see where this road leads.
The cups in the picture have nothing to do with the text. I just liked the picture. And the are three cups, all slightly different. And I had 3 offers.
The Geopolitics of Emotion
Despite having studied international relations, I do not remember having come across Dominique Moisi! I have heard of Gilpin´s and Kissinger´s approach to geopolitics, which always seemed like a realistic "Homo homini lupus" approach. Sad, cold and rational.I came across an article my Mr. Moisi the other day. Since then I have understood that his theory has been around for some time and that many scholars have already lined up to support him. But somehow, I have not come across it before.
Nevertheless, the point is that he looks at geopolitics from an emotional perspective - that of fear and hope. He suggests (among others) the the US culture is dominated by individual fear and collective hope. Whereas the Western European one is guided by collective fear.
Mr. Moisi has 2 scenarios for 2025, depending on humanity being guided by fear or hope.
If guided by fear: after the 2018 4th Intifadah, the Middle East is in complete chaos. Terrorist groups are gaining power, they have already employed biological weapons that killed some 30.000 people. Nation states´ borders are closed down, everyone bacame suspicious and fearful of "the other".
If guided by hope: the USA is the greenest economy of the world, the EU has become united, Turkey joined the EU as a whole and business practices have become much more sustainable. Oh, and the Middle-East problem has been solved.
OK, these brief scenarios do not mention other major powers (Russia, China, India, SAR, Brazil Mexico, rest of Asia, Africa), but it gives you the idea of the severity of the state.
Now, the choice is ours. Fear or hope? apparently, we are too comfortable in our mental models to invest into looking at the world with hope.
Another example of being in flow
The other day I was decorating a shawl with beads. I wanted to decorate its both ends symmetrically. I got some beads and divided them into two equal heaps. And I started sewing. Halfway the first side, I thought I do not have enough beads in this group to finish my pattern. Or maybe I do. No, i don´t think so. Well, let´s just see. - I was having this conversation with myself, looking for alternative solutions - maybe I need to buy more beads. Maybe I will just leave it unfinished. Or maybe I will have enough beads? No, that´s unlikely.
I observed changes in my productivity depending on the paradigm I was thinking in ' in the one of hope or that one of surrender.
So, I ran out of beads for one end of the shawl. And my pattern was unfinished. So my boyfriend asked, why don´t you chose another pattern for the other end? A smaller one, maybe. Good thinking - I thought, and started sewing on the other hand. Again, without counting the actual number of available beads.
After some time, I finished the pattern and had beads left to return to the first edge of the shawl and finish that one. It all worked out beautifully.
Yet in the process I had doubts, I was looking for alternatives, I even came close to giving up. Fortunately, as I let go of the in-the -box thoughts, everything came together and I managed to finish the job and feel good about it!
I observed changes in my productivity depending on the paradigm I was thinking in ' in the one of hope or that one of surrender.
So, I ran out of beads for one end of the shawl. And my pattern was unfinished. So my boyfriend asked, why don´t you chose another pattern for the other end? A smaller one, maybe. Good thinking - I thought, and started sewing on the other hand. Again, without counting the actual number of available beads.
After some time, I finished the pattern and had beads left to return to the first edge of the shawl and finish that one. It all worked out beautifully.
Yet in the process I had doubts, I was looking for alternatives, I even came close to giving up. Fortunately, as I let go of the in-the -box thoughts, everything came together and I managed to finish the job and feel good about it!
2010, the year of...
What will happen in 2010? Elections. Yes. Dynamic development of international relations and diplomacy (now that the EU has it's "faces" as well). Yes. The winter Olympic and Paralympic games in Vancouver. Greening economies, recovering from the recession, yes. Addressing global challenges. Hopefully.In 2010 we'll have have the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion - http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu/. It is rather inward focused - no mention of global poverty and exclusion, at least not for now....
In 2010, the European Cultural Capitals are Essen in Germany, Istanbul in Turkey and Pecs in Hungary. If this choice provokes you, feel free to start a discussion about it. I find the choice great, an out of the box step. It makes me proud...
What else will be 2010 known for? It's also maybe up to you.
BUEK /PF 2010
I have somehow not managed to upload a festive post before the Christmas holidays. Neither during them (but then I had no intention to be connected to the world wide web). Yet now I would like to wish you a belated happy new year, a successful and prosperous 2010.Making plans for 2010, personal and professional ones makes one be able to map things out better. This will be a big year, no doubt. Business is changing, consumers habits are changing, technological development continues to accelerate - it will be a decisive year for Twitter, for space research and alternative energies. But most of all, it should be a year when we take time to get grounded, to assess what went wrong in 2009 (and what went well, for that matter) and build on the experience. And to take time to do things that really matter. Make Christmas decorations, write birthday cards, read the newspapers, catch up with friends ... and be happy for each others' success.
Global Warming - or just Climate Change
Apparently, "global warming" sounds more negative than "climate change", that is why the George W. Bush administration pushed the concept of "climate change", to sound more neutral. I personally think "global cooling" sounds much worse, though. Indeed, we are experiencing extremes, incredibly hot seasons and freezing cold wind storms. As we are now approaching Xmas (sorry for the underscore, Blogger lives its own life now), thinks got quite chilly all of the sudden. So yes, this phonomenon suggest there is no global warming.
I however resonate with the fact, that temperature extremes as they are deviating from the norm now, are a serious problem. A problem not directly for us, yet. We still have heating systems and air-conditioning. But a problem to the ecosystems on which we so directly depend on - on the breeding season of birds and mammals, the dissolving of the bottom of the food chain due to the acidification of sea waters, the hunger and frustration in developing countries that will come back to us just like a boomerang.
But to come back to the core of the problem (the above are mere consequences of the changing climate): so many from Al Gore, through Prof. Stern, Jim Hansen and Bill McKibben and Pachauri have said it: It is not the tempreature deviations in themselves that are the root of the problem, but the increasing number of CO2 equivalent particles per million (ppm) in our atmosphere that is the driving force behind the tamperatue shift. And whereas in the past CO2 ppm has been fluctuating, never to the extent as it is now. And another thing, whereas in the past tempereture change was the driver of CO2 ppm increase, now it is the other way around: even if we stop emitting now, CO2 ppm will stay in the atmospthere and drive temperature up (and down). And nature will not come to check in with the weather man every morning what kind of weather we would like on a given day: what scientists provide us now with are estimates. We cannot know the exact change. And thus we cannot prepare for its consequences.
Now that is a real loud alarm, a call for action. If somedoby tells you that they still do not believe in climate change, please refer them to one of the many websites:
http://www.occ.gov.uk/activities/stern.htm
www.unfccc.org
www.350.org
http://www.ehow.com/how_2155972_convince-global-warming-skeptic.html
Road trip to Copenhagen
Our trip to Copenhagen was too amazing! In the beginning it looked like a true road trip - not knowing the way to our destination, not having the the address of the famous SHIP 15, or of the Klimaforum. Nevertheless, we made it - always knowing only 1 step ahead what will happen.As we entered the Meshwork space the next day and started hosting conversations, our experience started taking on another dimension: we met people with activist agendas, with deep scientific knowledge, some with great passion and energy and others with restlessness, a need to act. I heard stories of people cutting Xmas holidays in order to be able to come to CPH, people who had to made serious choices about their budgets to be able to walk onthe 12 December to Bella center. No wonder some went to the space of desperation when the demonstrations turned violent. The streets were (and today still are) filled with energy - both anger, hope and restless excitement. We are all watching the news every day with hope for breakthrough...today the news also reflected frustration - talking about technicalities instead of focusing on the vision. Who can make a difference? Who can initiate a fundamental shift in people's thinking, in the system?
We all can do something, we all have choices to make, networks in which we can raise awareness. The road trip turned into an inspiring experience of opening people's minds and sharing information and knowledge and that turned into a reflective time in which we all looked into a mirror to ask - What piece of the puzzle am I really? Do I live up to it? People have so much passion and energy, and find it sometimes so difficult to channel it! We have seen scientists believing they have the answer to renewable energy questions, business people saying that we just do not have our green marketing well figured out, and lots of people who came in pointing fingers and politicians and left with being open to take their share of the work on. When you see people shifting around you, when you feel you can actually contribute to that shift, you all of the sudden realize you're shifting as well, you enter a flow of which you know the desired destination, but nothing else.
I am still in that flow, despite having returned to Amsterdam and knowing my daily duties and carrying them out as they should be. It is a strange feeling, as if I was still on the boat, as if I still had to define the ground under my feet. It's an experience that is hard to explain, but that is an eye opener.
So, tomorrow is that last day of the COP 15, I will not be there, I will be in Amsterdam writing an article about greening supply chains. And one about leadership. How did my hands get so full all of the sudden with work that I see the sense in? I guess it is true, when you find your true passion and talent, you get grounded and things will come to you. Or you will reach out to things that have always been around but you never fully appreciated them.
So, no I will not be in Copenhagen tomorrow, just as so many other people. I will be here, trying to make my piece of the puzzle happen.
What will you do tomorrow to make sure the days after it will be even better? For the long term.
Dr. Rauni Kilde
I just discovered this lady full of conspiracy theories, claiming to understand the world, the meaning of life and the extraterrestrials. Now, it would be a stretch to say I fully agree with what she is saying, or that she is unique in her opinions, but I would agree that listening to her pulls one out of the box. She offers a perspective that requires the listener to re-frame, to think about norms and social structures differently. I particularly liked the word "synthetic telepathy" which is mind control in her words.
I find telepathy sometimes works without one thinking of it. It's always natural. And it's also rare. I like it without wanting to explain it, just enjoying it and smiling when it happens. Synthetic telepathy sounds like acrylic underwear. (I am allergic to synthetic textiles and get a rash from them. Obviously, underwear having full contact with skin is the worst of the worst.) Synthetic telepathy is for my an oxymoron.
Nevertheless, Ms. Kilde's explanation of near death experiences put for a moment something that is so complex to even start thinking about into a clear, comfortable concept. You can watch her on youtube, but only if you have time and if you look at it as "an interesting perspective" rather than take it in word by word.
Sometimes I wonder about all these competing social theories, motivational speakers, enlightened leaders etc. on one hand and Kim Jong-il and Chavez and....many people I do not know by name on the other end of the spectrum. It's even hard to believe that we are the species. Or would it be all about marketing and blurred communication channels and we are ultimately all striving for goodness?
I find telepathy sometimes works without one thinking of it. It's always natural. And it's also rare. I like it without wanting to explain it, just enjoying it and smiling when it happens. Synthetic telepathy sounds like acrylic underwear. (I am allergic to synthetic textiles and get a rash from them. Obviously, underwear having full contact with skin is the worst of the worst.) Synthetic telepathy is for my an oxymoron.
Nevertheless, Ms. Kilde's explanation of near death experiences put for a moment something that is so complex to even start thinking about into a clear, comfortable concept. You can watch her on youtube, but only if you have time and if you look at it as "an interesting perspective" rather than take it in word by word.
Sometimes I wonder about all these competing social theories, motivational speakers, enlightened leaders etc. on one hand and Kim Jong-il and Chavez and....many people I do not know by name on the other end of the spectrum. It's even hard to believe that we are the species. Or would it be all about marketing and blurred communication channels and we are ultimately all striving for goodness?
Confusing weather
There are certain habits we have in different seasons of the year. Now, in late November, we wear warm clothes, each heavier food, get used to the sun going down earlier, one just adapts to fall in anticipation of winter, secretly looking forward to the Spring next year.
But this year the weather seems to be way too moody - one day a massive wind storm, super heavy rain, the next day almost 20 degrees and a blue, sunny sky.
The other day we were sitting on the couch, eating chestnuts sent especially from Portugal (they were delicious, but try not to think about their carbon footprint). It was a warm night. It´s odd to eat chestnuts when it´s so warm, I thought.
So I decided, there is no other way, I will go to Copenhagen and will talk to Mr/Ms Weather and tell them that this is no way of getting us into the calm winter mood. Not to even mention Sinterklaas and Christmas. It´s all around the corner and climate change seems to be changing our inner climate. I do not feel Christmas-y at all. It saves me money on the Christams presents I am not buying, but for the rest, it makes me feel like I should be feeling something I am not.
Stop global warming, give us the white Christmas back!
But this year the weather seems to be way too moody - one day a massive wind storm, super heavy rain, the next day almost 20 degrees and a blue, sunny sky.
The other day we were sitting on the couch, eating chestnuts sent especially from Portugal (they were delicious, but try not to think about their carbon footprint). It was a warm night. It´s odd to eat chestnuts when it´s so warm, I thought.
So I decided, there is no other way, I will go to Copenhagen and will talk to Mr/Ms Weather and tell them that this is no way of getting us into the calm winter mood. Not to even mention Sinterklaas and Christmas. It´s all around the corner and climate change seems to be changing our inner climate. I do not feel Christmas-y at all. It saves me money on the Christams presents I am not buying, but for the rest, it makes me feel like I should be feeling something I am not.
Stop global warming, give us the white Christmas back!
Going to Copenhagen
The world's eyes will be on Copenhagen in 3 weeks. Countries will gather again to come to an agreement about curbing CO2 emissions while ensuring economic growth. This is a crucial event that a more sustainable future depends on.
Hundreds of thousands of people will be going to the Danish capital - some to meditate and send positive energy, others to demonstrate for an even better outcome, and many more to participate at some of the numerous side events.
I would love to be in Copenhagen, to feel the energy of this crucial moment. But let's think about this logistically: all of these enthusiasts of cutting emissions will produce a massive carbon footprint by going to Copenhagen. Also, the city will have to provide food and shelter to at least double of their usual population. What a stress this will be...ensuring public safety, the usual flow of life ....
Now, I really would like to be there, but will only go if I can play a volunteer / facilitator role at some of the side events, to have the feeling that there is more to "being there".
I would love to say, "Hope to see you there", but this is a choice everybody has to make for themselves. Me too :-)
Hundreds of thousands of people will be going to the Danish capital - some to meditate and send positive energy, others to demonstrate for an even better outcome, and many more to participate at some of the numerous side events.
I would love to be in Copenhagen, to feel the energy of this crucial moment. But let's think about this logistically: all of these enthusiasts of cutting emissions will produce a massive carbon footprint by going to Copenhagen. Also, the city will have to provide food and shelter to at least double of their usual population. What a stress this will be...ensuring public safety, the usual flow of life ....
Now, I really would like to be there, but will only go if I can play a volunteer / facilitator role at some of the side events, to have the feeling that there is more to "being there".
I would love to say, "Hope to see you there", but this is a choice everybody has to make for themselves. Me too :-)
The lobster and the leather jacket
Since I am currently not working full time, I have the time to contemplate. One of my favourite activities, only sometimes my brain seems to overheat :-)
So, last night in Dutch class my classmate said (we were doing some grammar exercises): Ik heb nog nooit zeekreeft gegeten. (I have never eaten a lobster.)
And I thought, how wonderful! There is a small drive this person has, a small dream that he could fulfill if he really wanted (there are some accessible restaurants in town with great seafood). But he chooses to dream of it rather than going for it. Well, I think if you never eat lobster in your life, your life shall not be dull and grey due to that fact.
I also have a dream. Small and silly. I would like a leather jacket. And every season in the shops of Amsterdam there are about 10 new models. But I never buy one. I always convince myself that I do not actually need it (which is by definition, true). So I keep dreaming of it, but maybe I will never get one. And I feel comfortable with it.
Because (apart from wanting to see businesses become much more connected to their environments), I have a small dream and it makes me feel human. It makes me wish for it and play with the feeling, trying to not let the "want" take me over.
And of course, again, both the lobster and the leather jacket are really not basic products we need for everyday survival.
There are people out there going to sleep hungry and wearing our long forgotten given-away clothes.
Lobster and a leather jacket - how far fetched these concepts may be for them. How superfluous to a happy life!
So, last night in Dutch class my classmate said (we were doing some grammar exercises): Ik heb nog nooit zeekreeft gegeten. (I have never eaten a lobster.)
And I thought, how wonderful! There is a small drive this person has, a small dream that he could fulfill if he really wanted (there are some accessible restaurants in town with great seafood). But he chooses to dream of it rather than going for it. Well, I think if you never eat lobster in your life, your life shall not be dull and grey due to that fact.
I also have a dream. Small and silly. I would like a leather jacket. And every season in the shops of Amsterdam there are about 10 new models. But I never buy one. I always convince myself that I do not actually need it (which is by definition, true). So I keep dreaming of it, but maybe I will never get one. And I feel comfortable with it.
Because (apart from wanting to see businesses become much more connected to their environments), I have a small dream and it makes me feel human. It makes me wish for it and play with the feeling, trying to not let the "want" take me over.
And of course, again, both the lobster and the leather jacket are really not basic products we need for everyday survival.
There are people out there going to sleep hungry and wearing our long forgotten given-away clothes.
Lobster and a leather jacket - how far fetched these concepts may be for them. How superfluous to a happy life!
Taking energy for granted
With the arrival of the rains and the cold season to Amsterdam, I returned home in the afternoon, hoping to turn up the intensity of the heating system. Oh, and a hot shower would have been nice, too. Nevertheless, the heating system refused to response. I called the plumbers. They came and said we were lucky not to have exploded, the whole system needs to be fixed. I asked how long, he said a few days.
It took over a week. In this week, I went to the gym a few times to take a shower, for the rest, I was heating up water in a pot, mixing it with cold water and pouring it in small dosages over myself. After the "cleaning procedure", there were no warm clothes to put on, no warm corner to sit in. So it was hot tea and a thick blanket that kept us going. After a few days I almost got used to this solution.
And then, one sunny autumn morning, the heating system started to work again. And now I am getting used to the luxury of a warm apartment and the possibility of taking a shower any time I feel like it! It is all here, in this 39 square meters. Warmth, internet, connection to the outside world, all possible entertainment gadgets, best food one could wish...what an extremely comfortable life we lead!
And the whole experience made me appreciate the energy supply each household in this country has. Made to understand that things we here take for granted, are actually not granted by far to everybody, everywhere.
And indeed, from a global perspective, it indeed is a luxury!
It took over a week. In this week, I went to the gym a few times to take a shower, for the rest, I was heating up water in a pot, mixing it with cold water and pouring it in small dosages over myself. After the "cleaning procedure", there were no warm clothes to put on, no warm corner to sit in. So it was hot tea and a thick blanket that kept us going. After a few days I almost got used to this solution.
And then, one sunny autumn morning, the heating system started to work again. And now I am getting used to the luxury of a warm apartment and the possibility of taking a shower any time I feel like it! It is all here, in this 39 square meters. Warmth, internet, connection to the outside world, all possible entertainment gadgets, best food one could wish...what an extremely comfortable life we lead!
And the whole experience made me appreciate the energy supply each household in this country has. Made to understand that things we here take for granted, are actually not granted by far to everybody, everywhere.
And indeed, from a global perspective, it indeed is a luxury!
The role of profit in the triple bottom line
The triple bottom line stands for people, planet and profit. Economy should function in service of these three Ps if it is to function successfully in the long term. If it is to function sustainably.
Yesterday I heard somebody say that "I'm willing to conduct business sustainably, if I can make a lot of money on it". Hm, I was intrigued. Sustainability and profit. What is their interrelation? I have thought about it a lot already, and the statement I just heard was not in line with my conclusions.
Nevertheless, profit is important, I agree, too. But can it be a driver of sustainable business? I still have my doubts. If a business is conducted in service of the people and without harming the planet, it should ultimately generate profit. Right. I agree with this approach. Profit is a consequence of sustainable conduct, and not the driver of it.
That is what makes profit in the triple bottom line different for me from business as usual.
And yes, investments into "greening the business" should bring about returns. Profit is the oil of the 3Ps. I wonder how many businesses are already thinking along these lines. And how many of them will make it to the Fortune 500. Will there still be a Fortune 500 in a responsible, sustainable world?
Yesterday I heard somebody say that "I'm willing to conduct business sustainably, if I can make a lot of money on it". Hm, I was intrigued. Sustainability and profit. What is their interrelation? I have thought about it a lot already, and the statement I just heard was not in line with my conclusions.
Nevertheless, profit is important, I agree, too. But can it be a driver of sustainable business? I still have my doubts. If a business is conducted in service of the people and without harming the planet, it should ultimately generate profit. Right. I agree with this approach. Profit is a consequence of sustainable conduct, and not the driver of it.
That is what makes profit in the triple bottom line different for me from business as usual.
And yes, investments into "greening the business" should bring about returns. Profit is the oil of the 3Ps. I wonder how many businesses are already thinking along these lines. And how many of them will make it to the Fortune 500. Will there still be a Fortune 500 in a responsible, sustainable world?
The lights...
Yesterday I had the chance to see the premiere of the La Bayadere ballet in Amsterdam. It was breathtaking, what an amazing performance! I was taken into a fairy tale land and felt like the whole world would be so much more elegant if we all danced around in ballet moves. Well, I guess it will not happen, but it was still a nice thought.
At times the stage was full of dancers, all in amazing costumes and fantastic focus on their pieces. Then there were moments of solo dancing. During one of these moments I realized that the light always followed perfectly the moves of the dancer, even though they changed direction quite abruptly. Yet not one mistake - the light always followed them.
And that was natural. Unnatural would be if the light lost the dancer. The person in charge of the lights remained invisible throughout the play, yet his work was so crucial to the success of the overall performance.
The invisible, yet crucial ingredient for the success reminded me of Jean Monnet of who those interested in the history of the European Integration know a lot. He did a big part of the preparation of the ECSC, yet did not push himself into the spotlight. I consider him kind of a "servant leader". And the same is valid for the person in charge of the lights last night. There are many more people who we do not see, but who make our lives so much smoother.
I really admire them for staying in the back and guiding us from there instead of carrying a flag in the front. I even hope to be like them!
Make you mind not move
We are constantly on the run from somewhere to some other place that turns out to be as we expected it. We are constantly trying to absorb information, sometimes in an unfiltered way that than causes random ideas to not fit in any mental framework we have until it gets lost again. It's colors, sounds, impressions, feelings, desires, regrets, tasks, responsibilities, deep thoughts, religious commitments, etc. - thoughts constantly flying through our head, some returning after a few hours, most of the time in a disconnected (list-like) way.
What are your plans for the weekend? Where do you want to go for holidays? What will you get for who for Xmas? How will you find your next job? Why are they playing this music on tv?
Constant flow of questions - this is a place I often find myself at. At mental movement. I do not want my brain to go idle and just hang out in my head because it's kinda warm and cozy in there. I am constantly dumping information in it, often even pushing it to make connections between individual pieces of information.
Well, I am not good at listening to podcasts and to iPods, though, so the outside - in flow is not constant. At least not through my ears.
And today I saw this Poonja video about "making your mind not move". It is unlikely that I can do it for a long time. Yet when you just stop for a moment when I am in the middle of a zillion things, all of the sudden I felt like a boat at the haven, like I have arrived and things got really calm around me. What a great feeling. Things will come to you, to me, even if we are not constantly trying to fit it into our existing frameworks.
Just let it emerge. And make sure your mind is present to spot it.
What are your plans for the weekend? Where do you want to go for holidays? What will you get for who for Xmas? How will you find your next job? Why are they playing this music on tv?
Constant flow of questions - this is a place I often find myself at. At mental movement. I do not want my brain to go idle and just hang out in my head because it's kinda warm and cozy in there. I am constantly dumping information in it, often even pushing it to make connections between individual pieces of information.
Well, I am not good at listening to podcasts and to iPods, though, so the outside - in flow is not constant. At least not through my ears.
And today I saw this Poonja video about "making your mind not move". It is unlikely that I can do it for a long time. Yet when you just stop for a moment when I am in the middle of a zillion things, all of the sudden I felt like a boat at the haven, like I have arrived and things got really calm around me. What a great feeling. Things will come to you, to me, even if we are not constantly trying to fit it into our existing frameworks.
Just let it emerge. And make sure your mind is present to spot it.
Network based economy = Tribes?
Seth Godin's best seller talks about organising ourselves into "tribes". And this is indeed something we naturally do lately. We live in a network based economy, not to be confused with clientelism. It's just functional.
Large service provider institutions often let us down. So we look for solutions outside the "prescribed pathway" - through talking to people who know people who may have an answer to our question.
I find this great and would like to encourage others to do this: look around to see who is in your network and see what value added can you bring to them and vice versa. Networks are also open, thus the different networks one belongs to can become interconnected through one of their members. Over time more and more overlap will be discovered and more networks will be connected into each other. Organically, naturally, elegantly.
This may be something YOU have always been aware of and built on, but I am just in the process of discovering how it works. I feel I always had the opportunity to connect people who had common needs or interests, but never really looked at it from a systemic perspective.
And now I do.
It is beautiful. It reminds me of Garrett Lisi's Beautiful theory of everything on TED. And of Margaret Wheatley. Everything seems to be falling in its place in a seeming chaos.
Large service provider institutions often let us down. So we look for solutions outside the "prescribed pathway" - through talking to people who know people who may have an answer to our question.
I find this great and would like to encourage others to do this: look around to see who is in your network and see what value added can you bring to them and vice versa. Networks are also open, thus the different networks one belongs to can become interconnected through one of their members. Over time more and more overlap will be discovered and more networks will be connected into each other. Organically, naturally, elegantly.
This may be something YOU have always been aware of and built on, but I am just in the process of discovering how it works. I feel I always had the opportunity to connect people who had common needs or interests, but never really looked at it from a systemic perspective.
And now I do.
It is beautiful. It reminds me of Garrett Lisi's Beautiful theory of everything on TED. And of Margaret Wheatley. Everything seems to be falling in its place in a seeming chaos.
Language law
As many of you may have heard, there is a language law debate in the country of my citizenship - in Slovakia. Many say it is against the minority I belong to - against the Hungarians. This is a value laden conversation that I would like to avoid.
What I would like to address, though, is the fact that languages are living, dynamic systems that evolve and change by the minute. They are means that connect us, not something we should consciously use as a tool for dividing us and building mistrust based on it. How backward is a law that requires citizens to spy on each other and report each other to the "language police". The closest that comes to mind for comparison in George Orwell's 1984.
As a matter of fact, the world is still full of stereotypes and prejudice. I catch myself every now and then building a false assumption, even though I really do not intend to do so. Dividing ourselves into native speakers and non-native speakers who may make a mistake and should be penalized is no way a step forward. In the Netherlands an extreme right party demands the government to report on the "cost of each foreigner". I am a foreigner and pay 42% taxes each month on my salary. Can I at least not be pointed at as a free rider of the system? Can we stop creating buckets that we throw people into and create demands on them to prove our power?
Just the fact, that somebody raises the question of a language law or wants to establish my costs as if I was a ton of waste is really not helping my fruitful co-existence with the majority (which is another "bucket" I am using now).
Can we stop this, please? We claim to be the developed Europe of the 21st century. Can we then please refocus on fixing global challenges rather than creating new ones?
I am in a way grateful for the Czech saying "What, are you a Hungarian?"which is used when somebody does not make sense. Once somebody asked me this question and I innocently answered "Yes, I am."Which basically meant admitting I have no idea what I am talking about. Interesting perspective, to see somebody makes fun of your nation. And they don't even mean it in a bad way. But some damage could be done with it, even unintentionally.
Maybe it's time to pay more attention to the power of languages and their role in our co-existence.
What I would like to address, though, is the fact that languages are living, dynamic systems that evolve and change by the minute. They are means that connect us, not something we should consciously use as a tool for dividing us and building mistrust based on it. How backward is a law that requires citizens to spy on each other and report each other to the "language police". The closest that comes to mind for comparison in George Orwell's 1984.
As a matter of fact, the world is still full of stereotypes and prejudice. I catch myself every now and then building a false assumption, even though I really do not intend to do so. Dividing ourselves into native speakers and non-native speakers who may make a mistake and should be penalized is no way a step forward. In the Netherlands an extreme right party demands the government to report on the "cost of each foreigner". I am a foreigner and pay 42% taxes each month on my salary. Can I at least not be pointed at as a free rider of the system? Can we stop creating buckets that we throw people into and create demands on them to prove our power?
Just the fact, that somebody raises the question of a language law or wants to establish my costs as if I was a ton of waste is really not helping my fruitful co-existence with the majority (which is another "bucket" I am using now).
Can we stop this, please? We claim to be the developed Europe of the 21st century. Can we then please refocus on fixing global challenges rather than creating new ones?
I am in a way grateful for the Czech saying "What, are you a Hungarian?"which is used when somebody does not make sense. Once somebody asked me this question and I innocently answered "Yes, I am."Which basically meant admitting I have no idea what I am talking about. Interesting perspective, to see somebody makes fun of your nation. And they don't even mean it in a bad way. But some damage could be done with it, even unintentionally.
Maybe it's time to pay more attention to the power of languages and their role in our co-existence.
Matching goodwill with the right occasions
Sometimes when I walk on the street and see an old lady coming home from shopping with her bag, opening her door and going home to a place she loves, but where she is probably alone, I feel like offering her a smile, or something that would make her smile. I find most old people so wonderful, so fragile, so beautiful.
Sometimes, when I wish I had a flower to offer them, I do not have the flower at hand. The opportunity to offer is there, but the object to offer is not. The occasion does not lead to a happy ending.
Since we receive a bouquet of fresh flowers at our office every Monday and the flowers are still fine by Friday, I sometimes take them with me in order not to leave them in the empty office for the weekend, but offer them to somebody, who may appreciate them. A fortnight ago I did the same. I took the flowers and we went to a small town for a Friday afternoon walk. I held the flowers in my hand and was keeping my eyes open for an opportunity to offer them to somebody.
We walked, and walked, stopped for a drink and continued the walk. At some point I even went up to people (not necessarily old ladies arriving home) and offered them the flowers. But nobody wanted them. After hours of walking and drinking some white beers in Haarlem (not the one in NYC, the one in The Netherlands), I returned home with the flowers in my hand. They still looked beautiful in our living room, but I really wanted to offer them to somebody.
And this is what I learned: you cannot walk around with presents in your pocket all the time, and also cannot expect that once you have something to offer, somebody will be interested in receiving it from you. And that's the order of things.
To let the feeling of willing to give fill you, even if your intention cannot materialize. Maybe next time.
Professionalism in bike repair
Not using bikes as one's primary means of transport in Amsterdam is no fun. With having and using the bike comes the occasional theft and regular repairs. I have my favourite bike shop. I always buy and get my second hand bike fixed at this particular shop. First I was a student and they had great prices, cool reputation and surprisingly good quality. Until one day the quality of services sterted to decline and the prices crept up. So that last time I went there I was already thinking of looking for a new bike shop, since they messed up again. I got there, ready to voice my frustration over the decline in the quality of services. But I was faced with a guy leaning over the bike and apologizing for any possible delay. My brake was not working. He was fixing it by taking the whole brake structure apart to really see where the problem was. While doing so, he said it's like working on an instrument, listening to it, taking care of it, understanding the problem and reconstructing the thinking of the previous bike repairer to really come to the core of the issue. He said it's like preparing to play the instrument, to play a symphony. Only a good and fit instrument can play well.Needelss to say, my anger vanished. All I could see a guy passionate about what he was doing. He is an artist in fixing bikes. Of that I was convinced. (And my bike works pretty well now, too.)
Once the brake was fixed and I got a bonus bell ( I did not have one before, which was painful at times of cycling through downtown) I asked how much I owed him. And he said that the least he could do for having to put up with the recent decline in quality is not to charge me.
Now this really got me. I forgot I ever thought about leaving this bike repair shop. If you ever wonder about what authentic marketing is, this is the best example of it I have seen in a loooooong time!
Go, save a child....a voice from Darfur
I just watched on TED Emmanuel Jal's talk. When in doubt about the future of war children, watch this one: a former war child who received help and never forgot what happened to him, but is asking us all to understand that the most horrifying news never reach us. That we are not fully informed. He gives an account of his "big picture" and despite his recent fame remains humble and thanks those who helped him get his life back after the terrors of war. And he sings...he sings his pain since talking about it is too painful.
The simplicity of the message is powerful: give us the tools, educate people, give them the chance to decide. I cannot replicate his message, but can ask you if you have 18 minutes to watch his message. Do you?
Global Oneness Project
What are we one with? Are we nothing but cosmic energy? Maybe by definition...but for our every days, this may be a bit of a stretch.
So what are we one with? With ourselves. Our family? Our friends? Our neighborhood? All humans of the world? Even with animals? And plants? With the whole living community?
Hm...ok, let's say we are. By definition.
An abstract definition, that is.
Despite not feeling every day connected to all people we meet, the ability to "zoom out" and think about others inhabiting this planet as us, as parts of a bigger whole that we are all part of is a very enriching experience. It helps me understand that as long and we'll be striving to maximize the well being of one part of the whole whereas the well being of the whole is increasing slower, we actually cause a decrease to the well being of the "non privileged" part of the whole. Nevertheless, we remain a whole. Thus we are damaging ourselves in the long term. Simple as it is, we often forget this and only believe what we can see or count right away.
The Global Oneness Project is about connectedness for me. For you it may be a message of harmony, tribalism, sustainability or something completely different. You can always find out more at www.globalonenessproject.org. But remember, pass it on, do not keep the inspiration to yourself only.
So what are we one with? With ourselves. Our family? Our friends? Our neighborhood? All humans of the world? Even with animals? And plants? With the whole living community?
Hm...ok, let's say we are. By definition.
An abstract definition, that is.
Despite not feeling every day connected to all people we meet, the ability to "zoom out" and think about others inhabiting this planet as us, as parts of a bigger whole that we are all part of is a very enriching experience. It helps me understand that as long and we'll be striving to maximize the well being of one part of the whole whereas the well being of the whole is increasing slower, we actually cause a decrease to the well being of the "non privileged" part of the whole. Nevertheless, we remain a whole. Thus we are damaging ourselves in the long term. Simple as it is, we often forget this and only believe what we can see or count right away.
The Global Oneness Project is about connectedness for me. For you it may be a message of harmony, tribalism, sustainability or something completely different. You can always find out more at www.globalonenessproject.org. But remember, pass it on, do not keep the inspiration to yourself only.
Transitions
The "transitions" theory by William Bridges is a simple tool I find very useful when dealing with change - not by choice. If you chose to change something in your life, you feel like you are in the driver seat. You made the choice, you have your future mapped out and you are excited.On the other hand, when change is imposed on you, you feel ...down. Like being dumped, evacuated from your home, losing your job, something that at first sight worsens you overall well-being. So the first stage there is about ending, losing, letting go. About feeling locked in, angry, not feeling in control at all. After looking at the situation for some time and spending some time "down", most of us go into a neutral zone of not having any strong feelings, of "floating". You stop looking back with so much passion, but are not ready yet to look forward to the exciting new opportunities awaiting you. Until one day you wake up, and you feel like you have a plan. You will meet your friends again and talk about your situation, you'll open up to input from the outside. You'll map out the next steps and start building your future. Ultimately, you'll feel again like you're in charge.
The good news is that in the end we are all happy about the change. Only in the non self-induced change we go through a "down" period. And this is not necessarily bad, since it's nice to retreat and reflect a bit when coming to crossroads. The only way out is through :-)
A layman's view of 5 days off
July 15-19 2009. Five days off festival in Melkweg and Paradiso. Let me tell you how I experienced it. And I may not be the expert on electronic music, so do not expect insider gossips :-)So, on the 15th (Wednesday night), Santigold's concert started 2,5 hours later than foreseen. But we ran into acquaintances and had a chat, so waiting wasn't that bad. Having learnt from my last experience, I told tall people who were hoping to stand in front of me to let me go in front since I am the shortest around. The Brooklyn born singer finally came on stage and gave a great show, I even recognized a few of her songs. She had 2 dancer girls with her on stage who were very cool!
We then went to see Jamie Lidell. Apparently, we were lucky to arrive too late since th first half was ...way too improvisational, thanks to the amount of light drugs consumed before the performance. But what we sw was great. And then still had a few beers with other friends we ran into.
Thursday - we only went to see Simian Mobile Disco, where the combination of very machine like sounds and flashing white neon lights made me feel nauxious after 2 minutes. My 2 hour afternoon nap may have added to the confusion of my bodily functions.
Friday - they would have to pay me to go to the festival
Saturday - after a very informal exhibition opening in a restaurant in Jordaan, we headed to Meklweg to see Crystal Castles. Starting late as usual. But the music had some traces of melody and was heavily inspired by the 80s punk movement in Germany (but these guys are from Australia). The gig had great energy, the singer jumped into the crowd, people reached the party mood. I did not even mind the flashing neon lights any more. Then we went to see Chris Cunningham. Due to technical problems, the concert started late. At least here they gave us a reason for stating late. :-) The show was short, the main focus was on the VJ work more than on the music. Very provoking, politically incorrect images. Great fun.
So, food time came and after having some delicious french fries in the supercrowded Leidseplein area full of happily drunk teenagers enjoying the freedom of Amsterdam, we headed back to see Dr. Lektroluv. A green guy, basically. You have to keep you audience excited, so you just paint yourself green. And have headphones in the shape of an old timer phone. The music was classical electonic (techno), not too heavy, quite enjoyable. People randomly couplig up. Well, that's the whole point, right? Started on time, finished even later. Nice job!
On the way home we stopped at Paradiso to see Deadmau5. A guy with the fanciest equipment, super skinny (I wonder who takes care of these people's diet / lifestyle), with a big black plastic mousehead on his head. Kinda awkward, I would say. Crowd in ecstasy! (The music was actually good, but it wasn't music by definitoin, only some mixed beats predefined and remixed on the spot.) I appreciated the improvisation. The blond babe on the stage walking around was kind of cute, too. But the flashing neon lights starting giving me a serious headache again. I felt like the 5 days off were over for me.
Sunday - writing a blogpost about the 5 days off. Oh, I think I lost my ring. It's nice to watch some light movies ... no more dancing today... maybe next year.
The thing is, you can't really get into the festival mood if you have to show up at 9am at the office the next day. Festivals should really be outdoors, away from urban areas where people can just camp. I guess that was the idea. But than lazy bums like myself though "I want a convenient festival" and they created one right downtown for us. So I guess I should not complain...
Feminism or Humanism
I felt relieved when surfing the web I realized that there are actually many people out there wanting to rename "feminism" into "humanism". The thing is, we talk a lot about the emancipation of women on the labour market - wanting equal conditions as men. Ok, that seems to be working out, more and more women get senior positions, great, this species called "women" seems to be reaching the level of men on the professional scene. As if we were a different species.
Ok, let's not go there.
However, what I persoanlly find still very frustrating is how women / men are treated (mistreated) in their private domains. All the pictures, postcards, jokes, comments about women, about their sex are so accepted. At least here, where I live. And now women turned sex into a sport, make jokes about men, treat them as a tool of their pleasure. Female supremacy.
I still find that this misses the point.
It's not male vs. female. This is not the conversation we should be having. Not one being more celebrated and better than the other.
Feminism should be replaced by humanism in the sense of mutual respect and appreciation of genders. We are different, but we so beutifully complement each other in our thinking, approach to life, past and future and our environment.
I believe that as long as we're not having an egaliatarian (not literally meant) conversation, that kind of thinking, we are still going around pretending something we fundamentally know is not right and keep missing out on great opportunities for a jollier world.
I like people regardless of their genders. Most of the time. The way we were brought up marks us for ...most of our lives. But maybe we can unlearn observing the world through a "gender lense".
Let's get started?
What a silly day! I am starting to believe we're really doomed...
Today, on 8th July 2009 the G8 leaders met in l'Aquila. Great. They decided not to waste time and start discussing measures on climate change - to arrive to Copenhagen later this year with a plan. Fantastic. Chinese leader leaves because of ethnic unrest at home. Bad news.
Negotiations start: Obama presents plan on radically cutting emissions in the developed and developing world. Sounds very exciting. But not to the developing world. The money promised in Bali has not come to them yet. They need proof of our commitment. They want $ 150 billion per year until 2020. Nothing sounds too much after the bailout money to me...
Achim Steiner, CEO of UNEP has a plan: the global consumption of oil is cca 100 million barrels a day. (If driving a car for 1km emits 160grams of CO2, you don't want to know what damage 100 million barrels a day can do. And that's just 1 single day.) Oil prices are now at $65. Not so long ago they have reached $135. And we still used it. Thus out demand flexibility is not all that price dependent in the short run if it comes to oil. Anyways, Achim Steiner suggests we add an additional $10 tax per barrel. And in 150 days you generate $150 billion. The money needed to get these guys (BRIC) going. Of course, it's not this plain simple, but it's DOABLE.
Straightforward, solution oriented. You put the moeny on the table and then can start talking again about fixing the climate.
It's already quite late. If we miss out on the opportunity in Copenhagen to reach an agreement, we've officially agreed to ... put an end to human race on Earth. Our choice.
Negotiations start: Obama presents plan on radically cutting emissions in the developed and developing world. Sounds very exciting. But not to the developing world. The money promised in Bali has not come to them yet. They need proof of our commitment. They want $ 150 billion per year until 2020. Nothing sounds too much after the bailout money to me...
Achim Steiner, CEO of UNEP has a plan: the global consumption of oil is cca 100 million barrels a day. (If driving a car for 1km emits 160grams of CO2, you don't want to know what damage 100 million barrels a day can do. And that's just 1 single day.) Oil prices are now at $65. Not so long ago they have reached $135. And we still used it. Thus out demand flexibility is not all that price dependent in the short run if it comes to oil. Anyways, Achim Steiner suggests we add an additional $10 tax per barrel. And in 150 days you generate $150 billion. The money needed to get these guys (BRIC) going. Of course, it's not this plain simple, but it's DOABLE.
Straightforward, solution oriented. You put the moeny on the table and then can start talking again about fixing the climate.
It's already quite late. If we miss out on the opportunity in Copenhagen to reach an agreement, we've officially agreed to ... put an end to human race on Earth. Our choice.
On Competence
When one starts their career, they are unsure of things they say, tend to listen rather than share input and opinions. Just recently, I have had the honor to meet some people from the world´s undebatable number 1 consultancy. We were talking about one of the global crises humanity is currently facing. I thought to myself: I care about this issue, but these guys are the best in the world in their capacity, they are the most competent to lead the trend of research / action.
So I stayed put. Until I started listening deeper and realized, that these guys have the numbers right no doubt, but they have the passion missing. And without deeply caring for a topic, you cannot see the big picture and its nuances . Without doing so, no comprehensive and effective action is possible.
They may have been the most competent in "hardware" - the facts, but lagged behind in contextualizing, understanding the subtleness of certain approaches and issues.
Bottom line, we need to join efforts if we want to stand a chance in fixing the system. But will we join efforts? I wish we did, but for some reasons our history does not seem to suggest that we will. Nevertheless, let´s not extrapolate history but build a new future! With competence on the hardware and software alike :-)
So I stayed put. Until I started listening deeper and realized, that these guys have the numbers right no doubt, but they have the passion missing. And without deeply caring for a topic, you cannot see the big picture and its nuances . Without doing so, no comprehensive and effective action is possible.
They may have been the most competent in "hardware" - the facts, but lagged behind in contextualizing, understanding the subtleness of certain approaches and issues.
Bottom line, we need to join efforts if we want to stand a chance in fixing the system. But will we join efforts? I wish we did, but for some reasons our history does not seem to suggest that we will. Nevertheless, let´s not extrapolate history but build a new future! With competence on the hardware and software alike :-)
Channeling energy & Horses
I feel ups and downs and look for the recipe to avoid them. I mean, I really don´t mind ups, but when I´m down, it´s better not to be around me :-( People have been telling me for a while to manage my energy, so I tried some yoga lessons, which was good for my back pain, but since I failed at looking at my own thoughts as if they were just passing in front on my eyes, it did not help me let go of things and centering my energy.
I thought that was ok. It still feels ok, when I am up. But not when I am down.
And today I heard another simple reason why I should find a way to manage my energy: So, when I am down, I feel like I am without any energy at all. But then I cannot pull myself up. Which sucks. Coz you´re down and you stay there. Not the coolest place to be, that´s for sure.
So, today I had the chance to focus on a problem and talk to a horse. Well, the horse wasn´t listening, but I was trying to make it walk around me, even trot. First the horse pushed its face into mine. Apparently, I wasn´t authoritative enough. It´s difficult to think straight and act authoritatively with a horse in you face, I can tell you that. So, ok, after some calming down and spending time to center my energy, the horse started walking. But not the way I wanted. After an hour, though, I felt pretty relieved, when I told the horse to gallop and it did. Bottom line, when you center your energy and tell the horse to do something, it does it. When you pretend to be an authority, the horse pushes its face into yours. Horses feel when you pretend to be something or when you really are "it".
Learning of the day: Work with horses and you´ll learn to channel you energy.
Or the other way round: Any time you start feeling that your energy is leaving you, imagine thatthere´s a horse you want to gallop around you. Focus on it. It will help you center your energy and prevent you from deflating completely from one second to the other...
Hehe, let´s see if it works for me. Will give an update later this year :-)
I thought that was ok. It still feels ok, when I am up. But not when I am down.
And today I heard another simple reason why I should find a way to manage my energy: So, when I am down, I feel like I am without any energy at all. But then I cannot pull myself up. Which sucks. Coz you´re down and you stay there. Not the coolest place to be, that´s for sure.
So, today I had the chance to focus on a problem and talk to a horse. Well, the horse wasn´t listening, but I was trying to make it walk around me, even trot. First the horse pushed its face into mine. Apparently, I wasn´t authoritative enough. It´s difficult to think straight and act authoritatively with a horse in you face, I can tell you that. So, ok, after some calming down and spending time to center my energy, the horse started walking. But not the way I wanted. After an hour, though, I felt pretty relieved, when I told the horse to gallop and it did. Bottom line, when you center your energy and tell the horse to do something, it does it. When you pretend to be an authority, the horse pushes its face into yours. Horses feel when you pretend to be something or when you really are "it".
Learning of the day: Work with horses and you´ll learn to channel you energy.
Or the other way round: Any time you start feeling that your energy is leaving you, imagine thatthere´s a horse you want to gallop around you. Focus on it. It will help you center your energy and prevent you from deflating completely from one second to the other...
Hehe, let´s see if it works for me. Will give an update later this year :-)
The Traffic Light Button
If you have spent some time in Amsterdam (an the same may apply to many other cities of the world), you know the buttons you are meant to push by the traffic light so that it eventually turns green for your direction. There are different types of buttons, but the most common one is a button you press and without receiving any minor light or sound signal, you wait for the traffic light to turn green. Most of the time, waiting seems to long and you press it again. Or just keep pressing it or keep pushing it with a 20*/sec frequency until the light turns green.In theory, just one push is enough. The problem is, that since you not not receive a signal back, you keep wondering if your "action" will cause any "reaction".
On mornings when its not raining, I find this "button pushing" an interesting metaphor for several moments in our everyday, when you "inject energy" into something, but do not know for a long time, if it's worth it. If your investment (not necessarily monetary) will have its returns, if your efforts are worth it. Interestingly enough, I find it a good tool to help me understand why businesses often think in short terms. Long terms, without immediately knowing if your efforts are worth it can be excruciating. I am an impatient type. Maybe it's an illusion to think that I would think in long term if I was to lead a company.
But I like to entertain this illusion.
How intelligent are you?
Rasie your hand if you would not like to be considered as an intelligent person. Since we all want to come across as intelligent people (IQ wise), no wonder Facebook came up with an IQ test. Everybody comes up with short IQ tests. So often that even if you actually dislike these tests, one day you catch yourself trying to fill one out online.
Same goes for me. The other day I was going to take an instant IQ test online. Having answered 9 questions, a message pops up saying I am really stupid for having thought that 9 questions can determine my real intelligence.
Ok, fair enough.
So, today I decided to set up Google Analytics for my blog - I wonder how many people actually visit my blog. But I never read a manual, I am smarter than that. And I could not install the application. So my colleague who is a knowledge management expert asks me "Have you read the manual?". I get furious, but still I read it. Good. Now I know in principle how to do it. Another 30 minutes of trying...frustration. So my other colleague, hands on and considerate, asks me, "Why don't you wait until we have time to help you and then we can do it much faster - rather than you wasting your time now".
Well, in my part of the world, you know best and hate relying on other people's knowledge. So I went like "I can do it, don't you worry". And I ultimately did it. All by myself. With the manual open. Tremendous satisfaction. I knew I could do it. I just wasted some time :-)
Then I thought that this was not very intelligent of me. I did not minimize my efforts. I was stubborn. But I succeeded in the end. Did this equip me with a skill that will eventually make me feel even more intelligent?
I wonder.
And then, my favourite: emotional intelligence. Coz I have loads of it - so I thought, anyways. I am helpful. Helpful is being nice. Doing things for other people. Doing the same things that I hate it they offer me. Hm...So I upset people? I frustrate them sometimes with my helpfulness. Oh, does that mean that since helpfulness is not directly related to emotional intelligence, I just turn out to be ... not emotionall intelligent as I thought I was? I am not as structured and straightforward as I could / should be?
Another revelation. I really enjoy challenging my assumptions (I build several hundred assumptions a day). Today is a constant refaming and I smile to myself and wonder about intelligence.
I hope this post does not come across as an environmentally conscious one. Because it's not supposed to be about that :-)
It's simply about the intelligence and the lack of it.
As one of my Facebook freinds said the other day:
Artificial intelligence cannot replace natural stupidity.
Strong statement, but I really liked it (since I of course do not belong to either of the groups referred to in the statement :-)
Same goes for me. The other day I was going to take an instant IQ test online. Having answered 9 questions, a message pops up saying I am really stupid for having thought that 9 questions can determine my real intelligence.
Ok, fair enough.
So, today I decided to set up Google Analytics for my blog - I wonder how many people actually visit my blog. But I never read a manual, I am smarter than that. And I could not install the application. So my colleague who is a knowledge management expert asks me "Have you read the manual?". I get furious, but still I read it. Good. Now I know in principle how to do it. Another 30 minutes of trying...frustration. So my other colleague, hands on and considerate, asks me, "Why don't you wait until we have time to help you and then we can do it much faster - rather than you wasting your time now".
Well, in my part of the world, you know best and hate relying on other people's knowledge. So I went like "I can do it, don't you worry". And I ultimately did it. All by myself. With the manual open. Tremendous satisfaction. I knew I could do it. I just wasted some time :-)
Then I thought that this was not very intelligent of me. I did not minimize my efforts. I was stubborn. But I succeeded in the end. Did this equip me with a skill that will eventually make me feel even more intelligent?
I wonder.
And then, my favourite: emotional intelligence. Coz I have loads of it - so I thought, anyways. I am helpful. Helpful is being nice. Doing things for other people. Doing the same things that I hate it they offer me. Hm...So I upset people? I frustrate them sometimes with my helpfulness. Oh, does that mean that since helpfulness is not directly related to emotional intelligence, I just turn out to be ... not emotionall intelligent as I thought I was? I am not as structured and straightforward as I could / should be?
Another revelation. I really enjoy challenging my assumptions (I build several hundred assumptions a day). Today is a constant refaming and I smile to myself and wonder about intelligence.
I hope this post does not come across as an environmentally conscious one. Because it's not supposed to be about that :-)
It's simply about the intelligence and the lack of it.
As one of my Facebook freinds said the other day:
Artificial intelligence cannot replace natural stupidity.
Strong statement, but I really liked it (since I of course do not belong to either of the groups referred to in the statement :-)
Staying with it
If I say "Stay with it", does it ring a bell?
I see all these amazing and energizing people around, wanting the change, being the change. Most of them are from Generation Y. And then I look at the generation of the Flower power and of the Spring of 1969. And now I see corporate faces, not embracing the energy and efforts of the current pioneers of change. I wonder why?
Do people "lose it"? Why don't they "stay with it" - with their passion, energy, commitment? Where do we "lose it" on the road?
Well, of course not everybody loses it. But those who truly stay with deep humanistic values, do not often make it into the board rooms. They built their local communities, schools, groups of friends. That is where they bring about change. They are not quite as high leverage people as CEOs. But the truly connected people may not dream of becoming CEOs. Since career doens't really truly matter.
It looks like we have two streams: those who lose it and become heads of major organisations and those who don't lose it and never make the system turn around. Well, this is what I have observed in the older generation.
So the question is: how can our generation make sure that the strems do not split: that people "stay with it" and become high leverage individuals.
Or: is that really the way at all?
I see all these amazing and energizing people around, wanting the change, being the change. Most of them are from Generation Y. And then I look at the generation of the Flower power and of the Spring of 1969. And now I see corporate faces, not embracing the energy and efforts of the current pioneers of change. I wonder why?
Do people "lose it"? Why don't they "stay with it" - with their passion, energy, commitment? Where do we "lose it" on the road?
Well, of course not everybody loses it. But those who truly stay with deep humanistic values, do not often make it into the board rooms. They built their local communities, schools, groups of friends. That is where they bring about change. They are not quite as high leverage people as CEOs. But the truly connected people may not dream of becoming CEOs. Since career doens't really truly matter.
It looks like we have two streams: those who lose it and become heads of major organisations and those who don't lose it and never make the system turn around. Well, this is what I have observed in the older generation.
So the question is: how can our generation make sure that the strems do not split: that people "stay with it" and become high leverage individuals.
Or: is that really the way at all?
Life expectancy
I am somewhere between 20 and 30 years old. Much closer to the 30 than to the 20, by the way. As I was trying to convince myself last night at the gym to move my muscles (and the rest of my body) a bit, I just randomly observed the other visitors of the gym. Aged between cca. 19 and 75. Do I try to work out a bit to live longer? (And also not to have the backpain from sitting in front of my Toshiba 8 hours a day.) I think ultimately the wish to live a longer life is at least part of the package.
So today I looked up on wikipedia (where else :-)) how did life expectancy develop over time. I found out I would be heading towards the upper limit of average age in Classical Greece, Classical Rome, Medieval Britain or the Pre-Columbian North America. In the Neolithic and Bronze age, I would probably be dead by now...
So there's a lot to appreciate! Even the soft wrinkles appearing on my forehead (that I keep flattering myself about - due to the amount of thinking I do :-)).
I asked myself how long I would like to live? As long as I am happy and healthy, of course. How selfish...but true!!! And I expect to be healthy because I keep fit and drag my tired body to the gym every now and then :-)
So today I looked up on wikipedia (where else :-)) how did life expectancy develop over time. I found out I would be heading towards the upper limit of average age in Classical Greece, Classical Rome, Medieval Britain or the Pre-Columbian North America. In the Neolithic and Bronze age, I would probably be dead by now...
So there's a lot to appreciate! Even the soft wrinkles appearing on my forehead (that I keep flattering myself about - due to the amount of thinking I do :-)).
I asked myself how long I would like to live? As long as I am happy and healthy, of course. How selfish...but true!!! And I expect to be healthy because I keep fit and drag my tired body to the gym every now and then :-)
Taking pictures at concerts
I have left my buoyant metatheoretical clumsiness behind for a day. We went to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert in Paradiso. Awesome!
Except for the people who were taking pictures with flashes throughout the concert (and especially documented the roadies before the concert very miticulously). Man, if I was the artist, I wouldn't be able to concentrate. I would probably want them out of the room!
And then my other favourite thing is taller people with a hiardo taking up at least 1/3 cubig meter standing in front of you (you being me, 160 cm with shoes on). So first you don't see a thing. Then you have your face and mouth full of the hair of the other person in front of you who is having a blast. And once they start jumping and pushing each other, you start wondering why bother going to a concert next time.
Not that I could enjoy the parformance ....
Now, from a metatheoretical perspective, I should have let go and melt into the flow of the crowd to experience the oneness. It seems, even though I wish it wasn't so, my oneness with my surroundings still has a clear limit.
Except for the people who were taking pictures with flashes throughout the concert (and especially documented the roadies before the concert very miticulously). Man, if I was the artist, I wouldn't be able to concentrate. I would probably want them out of the room!
And then my other favourite thing is taller people with a hiardo taking up at least 1/3 cubig meter standing in front of you (you being me, 160 cm with shoes on). So first you don't see a thing. Then you have your face and mouth full of the hair of the other person in front of you who is having a blast. And once they start jumping and pushing each other, you start wondering why bother going to a concert next time.
Not that I could enjoy the parformance ....
Now, from a metatheoretical perspective, I should have let go and melt into the flow of the crowd to experience the oneness. It seems, even though I wish it wasn't so, my oneness with my surroundings still has a clear limit.
The Call
I should be doing something, but am not sure what it is and where to start. So I get involved in all kinds of small projects, initiate this and that, but always keep some distance. Because the thing is, I have not quite yet found the moment that would trigger my transformation, that would kick start me on my journey to....not sure where to.
I am no Susan Boyle on XY's got talent, I am no mum who realised that her kid did not fit in the conventional education institution and thus opened an alternative school, I am also no Stephen Hawking not being able to really speak and yet showing humanity new dimensions of knowledge. I feel I should go out there and seize the opportunity. But as soon as I take the first step, I become unsure of my true deep passion for what I want to do. Or...does this true deep passion matter at all? I have already felt is maybe too many times and forgot which one was the greatest and the lasting one...
I really need to discover my "way of expressing" myself, even though it won't be singing, painting or playing an instrument...There is too much locked inside of us, I really admire people who can let it out...
And in the meanwhile I'll wait for that moment, that call, when I just look around and start seeing the connections, the interlinkedness of all that has always been there, but I have been oblivious to.
What is it that helps you express yourself? And have you had the "enlightning moment"? What changed afterwards?
I am no Susan Boyle on XY's got talent, I am no mum who realised that her kid did not fit in the conventional education institution and thus opened an alternative school, I am also no Stephen Hawking not being able to really speak and yet showing humanity new dimensions of knowledge. I feel I should go out there and seize the opportunity. But as soon as I take the first step, I become unsure of my true deep passion for what I want to do. Or...does this true deep passion matter at all? I have already felt is maybe too many times and forgot which one was the greatest and the lasting one...
I really need to discover my "way of expressing" myself, even though it won't be singing, painting or playing an instrument...There is too much locked inside of us, I really admire people who can let it out...
And in the meanwhile I'll wait for that moment, that call, when I just look around and start seeing the connections, the interlinkedness of all that has always been there, but I have been oblivious to.
What is it that helps you express yourself? And have you had the "enlightning moment"? What changed afterwards?
How are you?
Well, there are many answers to this questions, even though most of the time we say "fine, thanks".
This time the question is actually about your personality. There are so many diagnostics you can use to find out more about yourself. For a bunch of these tests, go to the TIME magazine, to find out how you are, who you fit best with professionally, what incentive structure works for you, what are your strengths and pitfalls. This all sounds great and I understand it's value added for my professional development, but I cannot help it but feel "boxed". You are type XY and thus this is how you are, how we'll treat you in order to get you where you need to be....
Well, I do not know myself too well, but think that over time I'll take several diagnostics to help me in my path, I have just not yet figured out, how to avoid feeling trapped in my "type".
Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
This time the question is actually about your personality. There are so many diagnostics you can use to find out more about yourself. For a bunch of these tests, go to the TIME magazine, to find out how you are, who you fit best with professionally, what incentive structure works for you, what are your strengths and pitfalls. This all sounds great and I understand it's value added for my professional development, but I cannot help it but feel "boxed". You are type XY and thus this is how you are, how we'll treat you in order to get you where you need to be....
Well, I do not know myself too well, but think that over time I'll take several diagnostics to help me in my path, I have just not yet figured out, how to avoid feeling trapped in my "type".
Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
Change your thinking
... or at least challenge it. And by saying WorldChanging, nobody expects you to take the burden of changing the world on your shoulder. Rather read their mission: "...we believe that real solutions already exist for building the future we want. It's just a matter of grabbing hold and getting moving. "Is it naive to think we all wish for a certain kind of future? How much longer will green remain hip and attract people and who will be the people who want to integrate sustainability into the core of being and decision making? And how will that happen?
Anyways, an interesting and inspiring "positive news" website is at World Changing.
Enjoy making a difference. Or just go outside and enjoy the sun :-)
Sustain your energy
I think with the spring cleaning came also the idea of cleaning up the inside - not quite a detox, more like revisiting old forgotten ideas and initiatives. So, once upon a time I wanted to make an exhibition on Europe (taking pictures of things that contain the word Europe in their name - such as EuropCar, Europa Bank and many many others). I never got round to it. Then I started a blog on adaptation to climate change. Passionate as I still am about the adaptation to climate change, I have totally neglected my blog. I also wanted to learn how to play the piano. And then the guitar. But I hve not done either.
People say you have to force yourself to do something for 100 days, every day, and then it will become a habit. My problem with doing something for 100 days in order for it to become a habit is that if I do X, there are millions of other things I may want to do in that time, but I am not doing those things, because my habit now is X. And we can only fit a limited anount of habits into our 24hrs per day, I am afraid. So how should one convince him/herself that X is really important and a worthwhile investment of our time and should make it a habit and sustain the energy and passion for it?
I am asking this now as I have caught myself having a bunch of relatievly new habits and I am still not convinced I want to keep them. But they might come in handy in the longer term. So, carpe diem or let´s get organized?
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