In January 2021 we have witnessed yet another presidential celebration in the United States. Seeing how this huge modern democratic organization (aka a country) or a system is embracing change was certainly a memorable moment in history. I can’t help but to “reflect on the future”.
The History
President Biden in his opening speech, during the inauguration, talked about looking ahead, building the future. That seems to come naturally in the American culture, always look forward never look back. Faster than others, better than others. The competitive spirit flows in its citizen’s veins. For a young country like this, it comes quite naturally. In Europe, most countries have some kind of legacy in history, that they either agree on or not, but they seem to constantly talk about it. What was before? What should we remember as citizens? What was painful and what is worth celebrating in history? Could that be what is holding many countries back from fast progress? Enables them to make the same mistakes or follow a similar path. Or the complete opposite: create new ideas based on that history, build-up by the struggles of the ancestors.
Belief System
As a child brought up in Poland, history was something we had no shortage of. At school, we run out of years to learn all about major events in the past. There seemed to be no end in history classes, whether I enjoyed it or not, whether the country I’m born in learned its history lessons or not, it shaped my belief system, it shaped who I am. Belief unlike mindset is something you are hardwired with or something that is hardcoded in your brain. Can you change what you believe? Can you rewire your brain? Of course, you can, like any muscle it takes time, persistence and a little bit of patience, but you can succeed. Few resources such as “Liminal Thinking” by Dave Gray can serve as a shortcut nevertheless, you still have to do the work.
Recently in The Knowledge Project, a podcast by Shane Parrish, Shane asks Sahil Lavingia, about his upbringing in Singapore and how this young country has a growth mindset. How that is affecting the culture in the country and mindsets of its citizens. I always found it fascinating how different countries choose to operate, how their citizens affected by various conflicts, political decisions live in a national trauma without realizing how they make their personal decision based on those beliefs. Singapore in comparison with the rest of the world may look like a dream. I find it fascinating how Eastern Europe is different than Western Europe. How those differences translate to the culture of its organizations and lastly to the smallest country in the world: a TEAM.
“If you can change your mind,
William James
You can change your life”
When I learned how to draw, the tipping point or a breakthrough if you wish, was when I realized that only when I look ahead of what I’m drawing I then am able to create it. Picturing it in my head first then visualizing it on a piece of paper. Letting your hand be the extension of your mind. Only then I was able to draw for real and be quite satisfied with it. I changed my belief, from I can’t draw to I am good at drawing, and thoughts like “am I an artist?” started to flood my mind. If I could change such a strong belief, what else I can change in my life?
Looking Forward
The question I ask myself every day is, not what do I look forward to but how do I look forward to? Sounds bizarre I know! With pandemic taking its twists and turns. Strangely that combined with the belief system I have been brought up with and new ones I create every day helps me to stay creative and hopeful for the future. I do have dreams and goals that keep me preoccupied daily, but those are different than hope.
Knowing that I can have a future.
Not wishing to have it.
Makes me hopeful.
Hope is different than a wish.
When I hope, I am trying to survive.
To wish is a privilege.