06 Aug On Being Human by Martin Wright
‘What lies behind us and before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Over the past few months Radio Two has presented a season titled What Makes Us Human? in which well known people such as Stephen Fry, Richard Dawkins, and recently Ken Dodd have given their thoughts on the subject. At the other end of the spectrum, two years ago there was a series on BBC Two called Being Human which concerned a vampire, werewolf and a ghost trying to live as humans.
So what does it mean to people – being human? Is it the desire to show ourselves as individuals by adorning our bodies with tattoos and piercings and undergoing surgery to make us look younger? Or is it the need to strive to be the best at whatever you decide to do, be it being the oldest person to climb Everest, standing alone against an injustice or fostering difficult or disabled children which are all extremely worthy achievements.
As part of the Advance course Peak Performance, we discuss achieving Gestalt in your life. Basically, this is where our lives are in balance and we function at our best. This would be an ideal state for everyone to achieve; a state where your life is in harmony, is rewarding and enables you to function as you would ideally want to.
To achieve this state we need to be aware of what is within us, not what is on the outside of us. All our past problems and upsets have an impact on us and if left, can start to fester and provoke unnecessary thoughts and actions. Now I’m not suggesting that we all rush out to our nearest therapist and spill our hearts out, although for some that may be just what they need. I also realise that maintaining a balance in our lives which can create the equilibrium which helps us enjoy life is a difficult concept for some people. However, we would all benefit from a clear out of all the negativity that we carry around in our brain.
Let’s make sure that we strive to find a calmness and evenness that will help us to gain a greater understanding of ourselves. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Be the person you are!
I believe that Being Human is being safe and happy in our own skin because as Emerson says “What matters is what lies within us.’” Let’s face it, the only person that knows what lies within us, is US! So be it vampire or werewolf or someone who says “Hello!” in a shop, let’s just be the very best at being the Human that we are.