thecreativeverse creativity is our human superpower.
It’s precisely in these turbulent times of massive change and chaos, that it’s more important than ever, to choose our humanity first. Read more about what that means in Part II below.
Humanity Needed – The Fight for our Collective Soul
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. ~ Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican bishop, theologian, human rights activist
In Part I of our series, the Cost of Fear, we discussed the state of our collective. As this era of turmoil and massive change and transition drives potent emotions and a powerful fear of change in us, these very fears also drive divisions and fractures in our collective. While some of us will courageously move past fear and see and use these times for what they’re meant for: progress, accountability and tremendous individual and collective growth. Others in our collective, deeply afraid of change, will do all in their power to block the inevitable. And in so doing, sacrifice their best human virtues in the process.
Because of this, the fight for our collective (and individual) soul will be one of our greatest challenges this transition cycle. As will safeguarding and protecting our shared humanity against those in our collective willing to sacrifice it. This is the fight of a lifetime we must all participate in.
If we wish to continue to build a prosperous future for ourselves and others and continue on path as an advancing civilization, we must protect the virtues that make us human against the old patterns of fear and greed that threaten to break us apart. Our modern and evolving virtues of intelligence, compassion, kindness, and decency, that differentiate us from other species on this planet, are the virtues we must strive to protect. Or else, we risk devolving into our lesser version and guaranteeing a deeply troubled/dystopian future for ourselves and our future generations.
As the turbulent nature of this transition cycle ramps up, it will be our job to courageously fight fear and fiercely (and radically) lead with our humanity. And it will be our task and mission to lean into our compassion and empathy, our creativity, and our powerful leadership and organizing abilities to help ourselves and each other survive, thrive and drive progress forward. In other words, it is our task and mission to choose humanity first and lead with the humanity first approach.
What is the Humanity First Approach?
By virtue of being born to humanity, every human being has a right to the development and fulfillment of his potentialities as a human being. ~ Ashley Montagu, anthropologist
Humanity first, acknowledges the fundamental value we all have as human beings – regardless of gender, race, wealth status, etc. It recognizes that though we may share different nationalities, ideas, beliefs, religions, etc., we all fundamentally value and desire the same things: to live safely, prosperously and with purpose. And with our shared aspirations at the forefront, we are encouraged to LEAD and CREATE human-centered solutions that value the human FIRST, and set the conditions for ALL of us to thrive.
This means we lean into everything that makes us brilliantly human – our individual authenticity, diversity, integrity, leadership, powerful logical, analytical, strategic capabilities with our equally powerful and desperately needed heart, empathy, creative, and innovative capabilities in what I call an integrated mind, heart, body, soul approach. Combined with our powerful collaborative capabilities, we address today’s problems in a holistic way that honors our most valuable resource – each other, ensuring we all have the opportunity to meet our highest potential and thrive. See our evolving framework for the People-First/Humanity-First Concept below:
The People-First/Humanity-First Concept (an evolving, living framework):
The Test of Our Time – If We Choose to Accept It
You always get tested the most before you progress to the next level. ~Anon
As our times become potentially more chaotic and unstable, this era will test our resolve as individuals and as a human collective, to hold space for each other, step up for each other and stick together, in the face of great fear, turmoil and potentially violence. So as we are tested, we should remember as Bishop Desmond Tutu profoundly reminds us – we can only be human together. And we are and will always be bound to each other.
And whether we understand this fully yet or not, what affects one affects all. Which means that while we have those in our collective more than ready for long-awaited change and progress, willing to do what is needed for it, we also have those in our collective who are profoundly afraid of that very change, and deeply entrenched in the emotional cycles of resentment, denial, apathy, and violence.
And because of this, we need to see our fractured collective differently. If we continue allowing some to move forward while others remain stuck and left behind, we’ll perpetuate the same cycles of fear and violence. Those left behind become a bitter minority, forever plotting to restore the old ways. We cannot make real progress while finding it acceptable to abandon our own people and allow these fractures to persist or deepen. We must do better.
Evolve Beyond the Old Rules and Change the Game
In this upcoming cycle of change, we will be asked to advance beyond the old rules of the game. The old rules that dictated that we have to keep accepting what’s unacceptable – that we have to keep supporting systems that work for some of us but not for all of us. The old systems and rules that keep most of us stuck in survival mode and fighting for scraps, while only some of us are meant to thrive when there is more than enough for ALL of us to thrive. The old rules that say it’s acceptable to leave some of us behind with no chance for redemption or progress, made invisible and less than. The old rules that dictate we need to prize conformity and force people to fit into boxes, to be just like everyone else when we know each person brings unique potential and talents that can never be standardized. The old rules that dictate that other priorities: stuff, status, profit, competition is more important than people or even more important than the Earth we live on.
These times ask us to open our awareness to a greater understanding that we are human – made up of thoughts, emotions, feelings, attachments, courage, resilience, creativity, etc. Our humanness is our strength and what creates the world we live in AND connects us all. In this new era of growth and evolution, we are asked to remember this and to change the old rules, protecting and rebuilding our fractured collective for the better. Not only by understanding who we are at our core, but while we have an opportunity to do so, setting the conditions for ALL of us to thrive. And ensuring as best as we can, whatever new we create, we ALL have an opportunity to excel and no one, is left behind.
How we do this, will be up to those called up for the task, and that we, collectively choose (and keep accountable) to do so as our representatives as we are no longer silent bystanders. This new era will require that we ALL contribute. Because the challenge of these times cannot be shouldered by a small group as it has often been, we ALL need to shoulder the responsibility of this massive transformation as leaders and creators if we wish to change our current reality.
As we face our challenges head-on, we must remember first and foremost that we are a part of the powerfully resilient human lineage on this planet. And even while we differ in our cultures, customs, norms, ideas and beliefs, we all still belong to the human family. We all still want the opportunity to live prosperously, to be abundant, to self-actualize, to love, to feel safe, to thrive not just survive. And we all, call this extraordinary planet home.
As we push ahead through this dynamically evolving era, may we remember that our humanity is bound up in each other and that we are accountable to each other and the planet we share. May we choose the highest path forward – individually and collectively. And remember that when we ALL thrive, we all THRIVE as we progress to the next level.
Stay tuned for more on this topic in future posts as we further define our humanity first approach and share how we can change the game for the better!
~ Love, Carmen
