Who can I still become?

Don Miguel Ruiz is the author of a book called the Four Agreements and introduces a concept called domestication. This refers to how we are taught to behave, think, and ultimately function in society. In your formative years the influences are vast starting with your parents and the extended village around you — teachers, friends and broader societal institutions.

Eventually the question of “What will I become?” takes hold and this domestication is a major influence on that answer. Your domestication influences how you will answer this question — what you know and what you think you know guide everything. We like to answer this question because it comes with a business card and money; it’s easy to illustrate our worth to the world.

There is a second question. A quieter question. A question also influenced by your domestication — “Who will I become?” This is a question that answers the aspects of your character and soul, and tends not to come with a business card at all.

It should be stressed that domestication, circumstance and time are not static but dynamic — both these questions should be continually asked. And as a general rule, “Who will I become?” is the more difficult of the two questions because you have to look deep into the mirror.

Make sure you are asking.

iamgpe (looking in the mirror)

a Series of 10 —what remains when you strip it back

By my count I am one blog away from having written 500 blogs on my two websites combined. I thought it would an interesting idea to write this blogs based on the common threads that have woven themselves through the last 499 I’ve written — here it is.

“Who am I?” Such a big question for so few words.

I affectionately like to say I’m one third “poor scientist”, one third “poor artist”, and one third “poor philosopher” — this is somewhat tongue in cheek but it also represents the core aspects of who I am and how I approach the world. I should mention that when I say poor, I am not referring to their value but that I am not particularly good at any one of them — although, as a whole, I have done alright by it.

If I take this one step further and ask what is most important for each of these characters, it would look something like this:

The poor scientist, who is really interested in the biological sciences, would say health is most important — specifically a healthy metabolic pathway, a controlled dopamine pathway and the need for motion (as well as mobility). In short, eat healthy, keep your addictions to a minimum and stay active. Remember what it feels like to feel good.

The poor artist would simply remind you to create — take what is in your head (or soul) and express it, make it real and share it with the world. Make your presence known and let the world answer your calling. Creativity just doesn’t refer to paintings or interpretive “sculptures of happiness” — if you have an idea for an app that will help small businesses with financial modelling as the company scales, bring it to life and share it! Creatively make things happen and don’t be afraid to shine.

The poor philosopher would insist you stay curious — he would tell you that learning is a lifetime endeavour, to always be asking questions, and that critical understanding is important when looking at the world. Change your perspective, walk in someone else’s shoes and remember you know so very little. Go forth and explore.

So when the journey has stripped me bare and I’ve taken a knee, I force a wry smile and stand. I rely on the foundational health of my body and soul, wrap myself in curiosity and create something as I continue to make my way. I suppose this is what got me to my 500th blog.

This is who I am.

iamgpe

PS: the best answer to the question “Who am I?” I’ve ever heard:

“I’ve fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I’ve led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks. I’ve seen the headwaters of the Nile and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I’ve won and lost a dozen fortunes. Killed many men and loved only one woman with a passion a flea like you could never begin to understand. That’s who I am.” — from the movie Secondhand Lions

Moments — yesterday

Prequel to yesterday

I didn’t ask but my room was upgraded and it made the stay at the trendy Toronto Hotel even better; the universe must have had plans.

Yesterday

The day started with a massage with some focus on my problematic shoulders. It’s what happens when you break your shoulder playing touch football — at the time, I was told I had made a great defensive play; I wonder to this day if the sacrifice was worth it.

Had a four hour breakfast with my daughter where we enjoyed each other’s company. We talked about many things and landed on a plan to go to Vancouver Island to hike, surf and enjoy Tofino.

I wandered the city after that. I bought some clothes and enjoyed perspectives of the people I met. Advice to stay young and vibrant rang true for me — be healthy in your choices, choose a community that is vibrant and doesn’t act its age, and don’t consume alcohol (I added sugar for good measure).

By chance, I found a restaurant and a seat at the bar; I enjoyed good food, witty banter and multitasked — I arranged a dinner with friends at the same restaurant in a few weeks and firmed up details on the upcoming trip to the west coast. It was an excellent place.

On the way back to my hotel, I came across a speakeasy disguised as an apothecary — they had room for one. I do not have a hard line with alcohol so I had a dry gin martini with three olives.

I turned 66.

Sequel to yesterday

The morning was sunny, cold and crisp — a perfect January day. I will continue my journey until I no longer can. I still have things to accomplish.

iamgpe

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