A Whole New Mind- 7,8,9

After finishing a whole new mind, it may sound cliche, but I feel like I have a whole new view of how we live as a society and how I live as an individual. I found the book to be very englightening yet very simple. There are so many things that I want to try, like walking a labyrinth. Pink explores entirely new ideas and he doesn't leave anything out. I thought it was very impressive to see him flawlessly combine things such as business, spirituality, laughter, empathy, design, economy, and even metaphors into one book that has so many practical applications that we can all use to augment our everyday lives.

These final chapters were, by far, my favorite. The discussion of Empathy, Play, and Meaning spoke to much deeper levels within myself. I think the best part of this book is how Pink makes you re-examine your own life. For example, while I was reading the chapter on Play and thinking about laughter clubs I started asking myself questions. When was the last time I really laughed? What does it really feel like to laugh? What makes me laugh? When Pink explained laughter on a much deeper level I was fascinated. He said, simply, that when we laugh our right side is activated, and our right side is unlimited in its abilities (unlike the left) therefore when we are experiencing laughter and joy our abilities are unlimited. It's so simple yet so perfect. I definatly think the world would be a much more productive, creative, and enjoyable place if we all laughed more. I also liked the connections he made between humor, the workplace, and productivity. He said laughter is one of the highest forms of intelligence and at first, I admit, I was like, 'yeah, ok.' But as he went on I got it. Humor is usually complex, sure there are blatantly funny things we laugh at, but a great deal of the jokes that we make and the subtle remarks that can make someone laugh consist of several components. In addition, we usually tell jokes or make these remarks to make people laugh, therefore, we don't usually laugh alone, and when we laugh others often laugh with us (it is contagious) therefore laughter is a cohesive force. Laughter is also sensative. We have to be sure that we are making people laugh for the right reasons and we have to be careful of the feelings of others around us as we tell our jokes, we also have to be sure that it fits the context of the conversation or else it won't be funny! If we want to see more cohesion and feelings of togetherness and teamwork in the workplace or any place we may go, it would make sense to encourage humor. With one simple idea (laughter) we can increase cooperation with its cohesive force, stimulate creativity with its complexity, and teach us to be more emotionally intelligent with its need for correct timing and placement within a conversation and context. I definately think he is right. Laughter may just be one of the highest forms of intelligence.

On to Empathy... I think Empathy is a rather simple idea that many people complicate, confuse, and ultimately misinterpret. I liked how he explained it as not feeling bad FOR someone, but feeling bad WITH someone. I wish all definitions were this simple, then maybe everyone would be more aware of their own empathetic abilities. I thought it was also important how he brought up the fact that facial expressions are universal. Therefore, using our right brain to interpret facial expressions and ultimately, exhibit Empathy is a HUMAN ability. It isn't a result of our culture or our learning, it sets humans apart. I think it also is important to note that this means that all individuals are capable of it and feel it (unless damage to a specific area of the brain also damages this ability) we have no excuse for being 'inhuman'. This also sets us apart from computers. It is our ability to thrive in this new R-directed thinking world that is emerging. Engaging in careers that play to our human instincts and abilities are our best bet and beating our competitors overseas and making ourselves valuable in the new world. It makes sense that nurses, teachers, caregivers are becoming some of the most sought after professions. They use are innate abilities in a practical way that will allow us to make a good living to support our families and also enjoy the lives we share with those families.

The more I read this book the more I got the feeling that so many of us, including myself at many times, are so focused on getting somewhere in life and less focused on the journey. The final chapter really struck a chord with me. I had a moment of clarity I guess you could say, where I said, I do all this work and wish each day to go by faster and faster and hope to just get through this test or get through this week. Where am I in such a rush to go? We live in such a fast paced world that we can't help but get caught up in living our lives in a race. Once I get through this semester there will be another and another and another. Once I graduate I must go on to grad school. Once I finish grad school I will need to start looking for a job. Once I look for a job I need to work as hard as I can to make sure I am preforming my duties to the best of my abilities, and so on and so forth. Life should not be a race to the finish line. There is no where that we NEED to be and there is nothing that we HAVE to do. Sure, we have goals to accomplish, but with time and hard work we will achieve them. Life is a journey and we should enjoy that journey. It doesn't have a finish line... we will never feel like we have reached that point where we can just stop. Once we get somewhere there will be somewhere else to be. We need to take more time to enjoy this moment, take it in, learn from it, and eventually move on, taking a piece of it with us as we experience new things in the future. I think this is what Pink is saying in the final chapter about Meaning. He emphasizes spirituality, not religion, a higher quality of life, more self expression, and ultimately... happiness. My favorite quote was when he stated that we have "enough to live but nothing to live for." We need purpose. We need quality. It is so easy to become absorbed in 'stuff', in demands, in unpleasantness. We need to take more time to make sure that 'stuff' has meaning and will add to who we are.

In the L-directed world we are moving away from I think we had this idea that money/success will bring happiness. However, I like Pink's idea much better. Happiness will bring money/success. Being fulfilled as an individual comes first. That is how we should live our lives.