How To Keep Moving Forward In Life
Science tells us that every seven years, most of the cells in our bodies totally renew themselves.
But how is it that once many of us reach adulthood, we cling to the same thoughts and opinions for decades? Should not our minds also go through the process of renewal, sorting through our perceptions and ideas and totally renewing them as well every seven years?
Wouldn’t that make our lives much more interesting? And how intriguing it would be in terms of self-development.
It makes sense to me that the person we will be seven years from now should be dramatically different from the person we are now. We will have seen births and deaths among those close to us, likely changed jobs and/or entire careers, perhaps experienced an illness or achievement that greatly expanded our thinking, or endured a trauma that changed our perspective on the world.
You may not even recognize yourself because of the changes you undergo. They may be for the better or the worse, but there will nonetheless be significant changes.
Today your body is able to do certain things. Your brain is geared to certain tasks and goal completion. You consider certain things to be very important, and others quite trivial. You care passionately about certain things and certain people; and are completely oblivious to others.
Philosopher Joshua Knobe, who edited the Experimental Philosophy anthology, (https://www.amazon.com/Experimental-Philosophy-2-Joshua-Knobe/dp/0199927405/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507056017&sr=8-1&keywords=joshua+knobe+experimental+philosophy ) challenges us to consider the patterns of change in our lives and how they impact who we really are and our sense of identity.
“Imagine how the world is going to be a year from now,” he suggests. “A year from now there are going to be all these people in this world, and one of those people is going to have a very special property. That person is going to be you. So, with any luck a year from now, there’ll be someone out there who’s you. But what is it about that person that makes that person you?”
This is a fascinating question for those of us believe that who we really are is our thoughts, our values, our beliefs, our goals and our life plan. What happens when all of those things change? How will this new person still be you?
Fast forward more than a year. Fast forward a decade or two, or even half a century.
Thinking about this is a wonderful way to challenge yourself and where your mind is right now. It is an impetus to keep thinking, learning, changing and growing, because clearly, we will not keep still, so we might as well have some input into our evolving self.
This line of thinking is also worthwhile for those of us who are sometimes too keen to forgo enjoying the day we are in for the promise of a day tomorrow. Each day that passes deserves moments of joy and attention, unexpected pleasures and a few minutes to think one new thought or round out a new idea.
We need to be agile to keep up with our own changes, and that requires presence today in exchange for the wonder of tomorrow.
Paula Morand is a leadership building, revenue boosting, strategy expanding keynote speaker, author and visionary. This dreaming big and being bold leadership expert and brand strategist brings her vibrant energy, humor and wisdom to ignite individuals, organizations and communities to lead change, growth and impact in a more bold fashion. 24 years, 27,000 clients, 34 countries, 15 books, former radio personality, 11x award winning entrepreneur and humorous emcee.Check out Paula’s best selling books: “Bold Courage: How Owning Your Awesome Changes Everything”, “Dreaming BIG and Being BOLD: Inspiring stories from Trailblazers, Visionaries and Change Makers” book series; and due to be released soon “Bold Vision: A Leader’s Playbook for Managing Growth” go to Amazon http://ow.ly/i8yW307ix67
Speaking inquiries email bookings@paulamorand.com or call toll-free 1-888-502-6317.