Worldview

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How we see the world, what we believe about it, creates our experience.

Human beings are meaning makers. Without having an anchor, a view of the world that makes sense of our existence, there’s little to no reason to carry on. As thinking and caring individuals who can rise above biological instincts, we have an urge to make something of ourselves by doing something that matters. Psychologist Artur Nilsson says the meaning we make, our personal view of the world and how it works, is what makes us unique in the animal kingdom. 

Every man, whether he is religiously inclined or not, has his own ultimate presuppositions. He finds he cannot live his life without them, and for him they are true. Such presuppositions, whether they be called ideologies, philosophies, notions, or merely hunches about life, exert creative pressure upon all conduct that is subsidiary to them (which is to say, upon nearly all of a man’s conduct). — Gordon W. Allport, psychologist

 

Acquisition

A worldview or “gestalt” develops in the context of family and culture where we’re socialized to perceive, think and behave in certain ways. With observation, experience, education and hearing stories, we develop beliefs about ourselves, others and the world. And the subconscious mind  takes in everything to shape our identity. Into the adult years, our beliefs are generally modified in response to the ultimate questions, challenges and mysteries of life—Who am I? Why am I here? Where do I fit? Is human nature good or bad? Who wins and loses? What constitutes success—wealth, fame, relationships, adventure, lifestyle…? What do I most want from life? Does the end justify the means? What happens when we die? The perennial questions.

The subconscious doesn’t discriminate between good and bad, right or wrong, healthy or not. Its job is to store and hold our beliefs so we can measure everything against them, accepting new information, ideas and experiences that are familiar and rejecting those that are unfamiliar or in conflict. Our beliefs are so firmly established, we’ll arrange to be right by rationalizing, lying, cheating or creating situations that confirm them. What agrees with us is right; what doesn’t is wrong. And that has considerable consequences—as we’ve seen in business and politics. 

Writing in Psychology Today, Dan Mager  says “For someone who is emotionally attached to the need to be right, all divergent perspectives, ideas, suggestions, and actions must be wrong. The need to be right convinces him or her of the correctness of his or her approach, thus justifying the means to have their way. When this dynamic is acted out, it creates suffering for those caught in its wake.” Keeping an open mind takes tremendous self-confidence, courage and a quest for truth because it requires putting a temporary “hold” on how we see the world and what we think is right. 

(Worldviews) inform how we interpret, enact, and co-create reality. They are the fundamental ‘lenses’ through which we see and filter reality, and they interface with our perceptions of global issues in ways that are profound, persistent, and frequently overlooked. Worldviews not only tend to shape how individuals perceive particular issues and their potential solutions, they also tend to influence their willingness to partake in, or politically support, such solutions. Annick de Witt, founder of Worldview Journeys

 

Lesson to be learned

We don’t hear “worldview” being talked about much, especially not in the media, perhaps because it’s a very personal and complicated subject, and not many people could articulate their view of the world if asked. Appropriately, it’s the domain of psychologists and other behavioral specialists. But in light of recent history, particularly in the political sphere, there are lessons to be learned about mental health when it comes to leadership. For instance, a person can be diagnosed clinically as “mentally competent,” yet hold an unhealthy, even toxic worldview that lacks a moral-ethical compass. Globally, history attests to enormous human tragedies and national setbacks perpetrated by sociopaths. In every domain, neither wealth or celebrity status or charisma qualifies a person to lead.

How you imagine the world determines how you live in it. — David Suzuki, Emeritus professor of genetics.

 

Negative And Positive Beliefs

While the emphasis of this site is positivity and appreciation, this is an instance where insight into the negative as well as the positive can promote understanding—which can deepen appreciation. The following is borrowed from Psychology Backs the Power of Developing a Positive Worldview by Todd W. Hall, professor of psychology, Biola University, Los Angeles. He excerpted the following from Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and Their Companies Win by Fred Kiel. 

Beliefs underlying negativity

False Views of Self

  • It’s not important to understand what drives me.
  • Personal meaning is derived from proving my success to others.

False Views of Others

  • People are generally untrustworthy, so you should closely monitor them and not show kindness.
  • Creating conflict helps you get at the truth of a situation.

False Views of Goals

  • It’s better to focus on the short-term than the long-term.
  • It’s better to avoid change unless I am in control of it.

“These beliefs are rooted in a lack of basic trust, lack of self-awareness, and lack of a positive sense of self-worth, which lead a person to constantly seek approval through achievements (an understandable coping strategy that doesn’t work in the long run).”

Beliefs underlying positivity

Healthy View of Self

  • Personal meaning is derived from growing and stretching my natural talents.

Healthy View of Others

  • People are generally trustworthy.
  • All people deserve the same respect, regardless of job status.
  • Most people grow and change throughout their adult life (A “growth mindset”).
  • Everyone has core strengths that should be engaged.
  • The best managers have good relationship skills.

Healthy View of Goals

  • All businesses share a responsibility to contribute to the common good.
  • Leaders generally desire to leave the world a better place.

“The virtuoso leaders in our study clearly illustrate that the most successful leaders focus on what’s right about the world around them.”

Dr. Hall elaborates four ways to develop a positive worldview, backed by psychology. I summarize them here.

1. Become aware of your filters and develop new lenses for noticing the positive.

2. Seek out new experiences that challenge your implicit negative beliefs.

3. Reflect on new experiences that challenge your beliefs.

4. Connect with people who speak into your life with wisdom and compassion.

 

What is your worldview? A Test

The Institute for Cultural Evolution (ICE) provides a Worldview Questionnaire designed to place us on one of four major groups—Traditional / Modern / Postmodern / Integrative. And these are described. The test was developed by Annick de Witt, one of the most respected researchers on worldview. By joining the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization (for free) you can get your confidential results (and then unsubscribe if you like). I didn’t do that. But answering the excellent questions was insightful in itself. Even if you don’t join, the ICE home page says, “At the very least, answering the questions is an opportunity to reflect on the distinct worldview frames that make up the political spectrum in most of the Western world.”

Love and fear represent two different lenses through which to view the world. Which I choose to use will determine what I think I see. — Marianne Williamson, author, A Return To Love

I believe worldviews are unique to each of us for good reason—nature and evolution favor variety. In living systems parlance, the more diversity in a system the greater its resilience and potential for adaptation, mutation and innovation. The same with consciousness. Consider that, over time, individuals who hold negative worldviews eventually provide examples of what doesn’t work for the good—qualitative sustainability—of the whole. That’s not a reason to praise or support negative views of the world, but the perspective gives us hope. We learn from our mistakes, personally and socially.

As more parents and teachers learn about the significance of a person’s worldview, the better they can foster positive perceptions in young people—the co-creators of tomorrow. While it’s important to prepare children for the world of family life and work, it’s equally important, arguably even more so, to assist them in finding answers to the perennial questions that empower them to be good, healthy, confident, successful and contributing human beings. 

We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. — Anais Nin, author and poet

_____________________________

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

 

What’s So Critical About Critical Thinking?

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It’s a vaccine against lies, disinformation and conspiracy theories.

My grandson, Ethan Miller, and I face off in a heady game of checkers.

In an era when untruths have been proliferating across platforms in the form of disinformation, misinformation, fake news, lies and conspiracy theories, it’s refreshing and hope-inducing to know that there’s a vaccine against the easy acceptance of what’s heard, seen or read. It’s called “critical thinking,” and it’s currently being taught in select schools, K through college. 

I say “select” because some schools include it and many don’t. It’s a gap that’s decades-long, in part because “teaching to the test” took up so much of the curriculum there wasn’t time to add a class or teach critical thinking skills in the context of existing classes. Consequently, students that lack critical thinking skills remain susceptible to falsehoods, disinformation and conspiracy theories throughout their lives.

The critical thinking gap is one of the most significant, yet overlooked equity challenges in education today. — Colin Seale, author, “Thinking Like A Lawyer: A Framework for Teaching Critical Thinking to All Students.”

Frank Breslin, a retired high-school teacher in the New Jersey public school system, writes in a Huffington Post article, Why High Schools Don’t Teach Critical Thinking — “State education departments mandate that so much material has to be covered that critical thinking cannot be taught, nor can the courses themselves be critically presented. To cover the curriculum, courses must be taught quickly, superficially, and uncritically, the infallible way of boring students… It leaves students with the mistaken impression that there is little if any disagreement among scholars about what they are taught, as though what is presented is self-evident truth… Because students are usually taught only one viewpoint about everything, they simply accept the theory they learn on their teacher’s authority with perhaps little understanding of the reasons provided… The essence of an education—the ability to think critically and protect oneself from falsehood and lies—may once have been taught in American schools, but, with few exceptions, is today a lost art.”

 

Definition

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, critical thinking is “The process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you.” 

 

Significance

Critical thinking wards against the immediate acceptance or judgment of an idea, opinion, event, policy, perspective or phenomenon, political philosophy or religious ideology, irrespective of the presenter or source. 

It’s necessary because there are many people who, purposefully or not, and for a variety of reasons, tell and disseminate falsehoods. In part, we’re experiencing an “uncivil war” because the preponderance of our educational systems have been teaching students what to think rather than how to think—

To question whatever they read, and never to accept any claim blindly; to suspend judgment until they’ve heard all sides of a question, and interrogate whatever claims to be true, since the truth can withstand any scrutiny. Critical thinking is life’s indispensable survival skill, compared to which everything else is an educational frill! — Frank Breslin, retired high school teacher.

  

The Value

Critical thinking (CT) promotes attentiveness, a habit of inquiry, self-confidence, courage, open-mindedness, willingness to suspend judgment, trust in reason, evidence-based beliefs, and  the desire to know the truth. By stepping back to look at an idea or situation from different perspectives, we gain an understanding and empathy for how other people think and decide. CT provides reasoning skills that form the basis of history, science and mathematics. It promotes democratic citizenship, which requires the ability to observe carefully and check emotions and prejudices before jumping to erroneous conclusions. It prevents baseless assumptions and prejudging, increases awareness of who and how language is being used and looks for both causes and consequences. Essentially, it’s a thought process that seeks the truth. 

 

The Skillset

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”  (Foundation for Critical Thinking) The following are specific skills that are developed in thinking critically.

Active rather than passive thinking

Critical thinking is about being an active learner, a discover or wonderer, rather than a passive recipient of information. Critical thinkers want more information before accepting something as real or true. They question everything. How do you know that? What’s your source? Where’d you hear that? What’s it based on? What are the other possibilities? How can we make it better? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If it sounds outrageous, beyond reason, it probably isn’t true. And if it’s out-of-character for someone, it needs to be investigated. Intuitions like these constitute “red flags,” signaling that critical thinking is required.

Open-mindedness

Among human beings, truth is almost never one thing and it’s never absolute, that is, holding for everyone, all the time everywhere. In pursuit of the truth, an open-minded person is willing to consider ideas and opinions that are new or different from their own, even to the extent of modifying or completely changing their point-of-view. This is commonplace for scientists, the foundation of scientific inquiry. And it’s what we expect in lawyers, judges, politicians and the criminal justice system. 

Reserving judgment

It’s easy to accept something as true or factual, especially when it comes from an authority figure or someone we know and respect. But no one is infallible and we all tend to  diminish, embellish or exaggerate, often to persuade, enhance the telling of a story, to telegraph that “I know something you don’t know” or to be seen as part of the in-the-know crowd. Reserving judgment on whatever is presented to us, gives us time to find or allow more information to either affirm or refute what’s been said, shown or written.

Gathering facts

In whole-systems terms, more information increases the resilience of a system’s functioning. The same applies to discovering the truth. As we gain information about an idea, event, theory or circumstance, the reality becomes more clear. Typically, this is done through question and answer interactions, the more and more diverse the people the better. As we know from police and detective movies, to prove that something is true, there has to be  evidence—indisputable facts. 

Sources matter

Credible sources are those that are credentialed to have direct knowledge and extensive experience with the subject or viewpoint we’re researching. Because we don’t have ready access to professionals on many issues, we go to the Internet and Google a question. Of the options presented there, critical thinkers will pay close attention to the source, indicated in the green URL address under the topic heading. 

After the https:// designator is the source’s name, many of which are advertisers, publishers, information services such as Wikipedia, Linked In, Facebook and dictionaries. These are “Tertiary Sources.” They present summaries or condensed versions of materials, usually with reference to other sources. “Secondary Sources” are accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. They are interpretations and evaluations of primary sources. Secondary sources are not evidence, but rather a commentary on and discussion of evidence. “Primary Sources” are firsthand documents that provide direct evidence on your topic. (Sotheby’s Institute of Art).

We wouldn’t go to a carpenter next door to heal a toothache. Neither would we consult a dentist about creating a will. Edutopia, George Lucas’s educational foundation posted some very nice guidelines to help students evaluate sources on the Internet— 

  • Who wrote it and what credentials do they have?
  • Why was it written?
  • When was it written or updated?
  • Does it help meet my needs?
  • How is the site organized?
  • What would be a good to-do list for the future?

Especially, I look for an answer to the second question—What’s in it for the source? How they benefit from your visit? As noted, I  give more credence to individuals who have direct knowledge and extensive experience with the subject or viewpoint being researched.

Evaluating facts

When to our satisfaction the facts are in, we apply logic, a method of reasoning that involves a series of statements, where the truth follows from preceding statements that are all true. For example— 

Dogs are man’s best friend.

I have a dog named Fluffy. 

Therefore, Fluffy is my best friend.

The conclusion is false, not logical, on two counts: Not all men consider dogs to be their best friend. And most “best friends” are persons, not animals. Another—

Where there’s a gun in the house there’s the potential for harm.

We have a gun in the house.

Therefore, harm could come to someone in my house.

The conclusion is logical, true because the statements that precede it are true. 

Considering the consequences

This didn’t turn up in my research on critical thinking, but it deserves serious consideration. The  ideas, theories and perspectives we accept shape our life and the lives of those around us and the world. 

Hypothetically, I move to a new town and am invited to the home of an acquaintance to watch a football game with his friends. In short order, the group tries to convince me that the moon landing was a hoax. They tell how the government, in cahoots with a movie producer, pulled it off as part of a scheme to beat the Russians to the moon. Another says that big corporations were in on it, reaping enormous profits on ancillary sales. They offer no evidence, but the ideas they present are many and they sound plausible. Driving home, if I take what they said somewhat seriously, the first step in my thinking process would be to apply a brief litmus test to see if their perspective would warrant some investigation. If I adopt their point-of-view —

  • Would it make me feel good or bad about myself?
  • Would it make me feel good or bad about humanity?
  • Would it increase or decrease trust in our economic, social and political systems?
  • Does the idea uplift or depress me?
  • Would it move me further in the direction of love or fear?
  • Would it encourage me to widen my circle of friends or narrow it? 
  • Would it boost my confidence in the way the world works, or diminish it?
  • Would I want to speak about it openly? 
  • Would it impact my family life?
  • If I accept it, what would I do about it? 

If the answers indicate that adoption would be generally uplifting, enriching and good for my mental health I’d begin to take the next step—gather some facts.

 

The Good News

At Woburn High School in Boston, 60 new classes were added to teach critical thinking. Jeff Landers, CEO of Mind Edges Inc., an educational technology company that reviewed the system, concluded that “Critical thinking should be integrated into every course in every high school.” 

Jason Singer, Principal at Kipp King Collegiate High School, San Lorenzo, California said “Our theory is that critical thinking wins the day.” CT is integrated throughout the curriculum, in a school that’s 85% African American and Latino. One of the students said, “To me, critical thinking means thinking beyond what you hear.” Jared Kushida, who teaches global politics, encourages the flow of questions. “I rarely go on for more than 30 seconds without asking a question, and I rarely stop at that one question.” 

The Foundation for Critical Thinking is a comprehensive resource offering programs, conferences, events, media and materials to educators from the 3rd Grade on, including the institutions of science and engineering, business, health systems and homeschooling. It’s a “primary” source that offers on-line courses, guided study groups, webcasts and more. It’s a wealth of information. And there’s no charge. 

   

Critical thinking takes time, of course. It’s so much easier to accept someone’s word or perception, especially if the issue generates heat and is in alignment with a group that invites us in. Trouble is, we act and promote what we believe. And it escalates. Personally, we start living the lie or unproven theory. And socially, these can build into a consensus reality where numbers of people will act on it. The raid on the U. S. Capitol building is a prime example of violent actions precipitated by false information and erroneous beliefs. By taking the time to think critically, the realities we create will be based on facts, on the truth. And when that happens, both the universe and our soul will support it. 

_____________________________

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

2020 — What Went Right

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Within every social and global tragedy, the light of love, compassion, goodwill and truth shines through the darkness. Acknowledging it and appreciating its appearance demonstrates that virtue lives in the hearts of many people. It gives us hope for the future and a reason to persist in right thinking and socially constructive behavior. Seeing others with the courage to do what’s right, to make the world a better place, is contagious. From this perspective, I offer a sampling of incidents from 2020 that demonstrated the best in us. 

Health

When the Coronavirus struck and people heard there was a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), people around the world didn’t wait for businesses to step up manufacturing  masks, face shields and coverings. Many took to making masks. Among them was an 89-year-old woman who sewed hundreds of them at her dining-room table. Later on, 3M and Apple pooled their resources to produce millions of masks. Joann Fabrics gave away material and supplies to anyone who would sew masks at home. 

Eight of the top 10 most successful global responses to Covid-19 came from democracies. Success appeared to rely less on being able to order people into submission, and more on having a high degree of trust and societal compliance. Bloomberg

Through global collaboration, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna researched and developed vaccines that were approved by FDA, all in record time.

Canadian scientists have cured diabetes in mice, raising hopes for a cure in humans. Frontline medical workers in every country were celebrated in many ways, from fighter-jet flyovers to people hanging out windows banging on pots and pans. 

A FedEx worker disinfected a package for a girl who had an autoimmune disorder. Millions of people respected the recommendation of health experts to take precautions and not travel. Instead, many birthdays, holidays and weddings were celebrated with Zoom calls and parties. 

99-year-old Captain Tom Moore raised over $42 million for Britain’s National Health Service by walking laps in his garden. Dolly Parton donated $1 million to help fund Moderna’s Covid-19 research. Their vaccine is 94.5% effective.

For much more  on global health—not mentioned here—visit Future Crunch.

Helping

Stories abound of small and large acts of helping. Celebrities and talented everyday people performed free of charge on Zoom from their homes. Many celebrities and others supported family-owned restaurants and their employees by leaving beyond generous tips. A 17-year-old cashier paid $173 grocery bill for a senior shopper who was short on cash. 

Worldwide, as people shuttered in place, they made the best of the situation turning to life-enriching activities such as home improvement, baking and gardening, activities that were demonstrated and shared on the internet. 

In Canada, a moving company helped victims of domestic violence get resettled nationwide at no cost. A hotel in England opened its doors to homeless people, giving them odd jobs to do. In Paris and elsewhere, bookstores and restaurants were being saved by their customers. After completing a three-day medical emergency training course, Princess Sofia of Stockholm helped healthcare workers by carrying out supporting duties such as disinfecting equipment, cleaning, and working in the kitchen.

In Somerset, Massachusetts a police officer paid the grocery bill for two women who he found shoplifting. An oncologist in Arkansas forgave $650,000 worth of medical debt for his cancer patients. And in Maine, an electrician volunteering to fix an elderly woman’s light continued, enlisting the entire community, to repair her crumbling house for free. In Cincinnati, Ohio a stuffed puppy lost in the airport was returned to a family that spent days exploring the travel industry looking for their child’s precious friend.

When African-American Shawn Dromgoole was afraid to walk in his gentrified community, 75 neighbors walked with him sparking a national movement. 

Many museums opened their collections to virtual viewing.

During the assault on the Capital building, quick-thinking congressional aides rescued the electoral ballot boxes before the mob entered the chamber. Otherwise, they would likely have been destroyed.

After the Capital building riot, Representative Andy Kim, Congressman from New Jersey,  wearing a suit, cleaned up trash in the rotunda. 

 

The Environment

Lockdowns in major cities substantially improved air quality by lessening carbon emissions through ground and air travel. 

Ocean Voyages Institute removed 103 tons of fishing nets and plastic in each trip to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and a company that sells $20 plastic bracelets pulled 12 million pounds of waste from the ocean. 

In France, a fusion reactor hotter than the Sun was successfully demonstrated. It will provide unlimited clean energy without waste. The University of York designed solar panels that increase light absorption by 125%. 

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, just a day’s drive from New York City, life is unfolding much as it did a year ago because public health officials, not politicians, set the Covid-19 response policy and people mostly followed the rules on closures, gatherings and masks. A citizen commented, “We will make hard choices for each other, and sometimes when we do, the reward is a life we recognize.” Also, a company there turned 80% of the local plastic recyclables into lumber. 

California paved state highways with a recycled plastic material that lasts three times longer than asphalt, and plastic bottles were being used to create solar-pavement panels for driveways that can power the average household. 

Researchers announced that efforts to protect and restore the ozone layer have been “a thrilling success.” 

Sweden closed its last coal plant two years earlier than anticipated. Austria is next. 

Whales were spotted in the New York harbor. A large reef system, part of the Great Barrier Reefs in Australia, had a noticeable recovery. Belize increased its ecosystem reserve to 1,300 sq. km. to protect the coral reefs, and the Seychelles reported that one-third of its ocean waters (410,000 sq. km.) are fully protected. Future Crunch.

 

Peace

I selected the following information from reports in  Future Crunch, a free Australian newsletter produced by “science communicators” that features stories of human progress. In whole-systems terms, they report on the “emergents,” individuals, groups and institutions advancing the leading edge of positive change.   

The 2020 Global Terrorism Index reported that deaths from terrorism fell for the fifth consecutive year and that the terrorism situation had improved in 103 countries — the highest number of countries to record a year-on-year improvement since the inception of the index.

Italy abolished anti-immigrant decrees installed by former populists and reinstated humanitarian protection for migrants and refugees. The government has also cut the time needed for citizenship applications from four years to three. A public statement read, “Onward towards a country with more humanity.” The Local

Mexico changed its laws to prohibit holding children in immigration detention centers, shifting responsibility to the country’s family development agency, and Colombia allowed hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants to legalize their presence in the country through work permits.

Over the past five years, Germany has opened its borders to 1.7 million people fleeing war and persecution. This is arguably the greatest humanitarian act of the 21st century. The decision has paid off. In August, the country revealed that more than half of the immigrants are employed and paying taxes. Over 80% say they feel a strong sense of belonging. Guardian

Kazakhstan joined an international protocol on the abolition of the death penalty, the 88th nation to become a signatory, which fulfills a fundamental right to life and human dignity. The country’s head of state, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, quoted Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai, stressing the need for “love, compassion, bold actions, deeds and thoughtfulness.” Astana Times

Lessons being learned through the experiences of 2020

We are all interconnected and interdependent

One person, whatever and wherever the circumstances, can trigger a global pandemic. As of January 8, 2021, the Coronavirus has killed 1.9 million people; confirmed cases amount to 88.1 million.  The United States has the most fatalities and the numbers are climbing.  (BBC News). Just as one person can trigger a war or undermine democracy, so one scientist can stop a disease from devestating a population. For instance Johnas Salk who developed the polio vaccine.

 

Beliefs carry consequences

The internet is being used to express and spread lies and conspiracy theories—anti-establishment falsehoods—that stoke the flames of fear, mistrust, polarization and hatred in millions of people. Falsehoods are compelling because they explain the complexities of life in simple and emotional terms. Left unchecked and not countered with truth in public media, the flames combine to create an eventual explosion.   

Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny. — Mahatma Gandhi

 

Elected leaders must be of high character

The worldview of those who would lead and represent a nation matters greatly. To not cause polarization and harm, these individuals must have a positive and constructive mindset and be morally grounded rather then egocentric. To be responsible, a leader will have a track record that demonstrates a commitment to public service and qualities of character that include honesty, empathy, caring, open-mindedness, eagerness to collaborate and unify, intelligence and wisdom born of experience. 

 

Priorities matter

Health matters—failing that, nothing else can get done. Words matter—as Gandhi said, words beget actions and actions determine reality. Truth matters—without it, trust breaks down. And without trust, society breaks down. Consciousness matters—the more we act on purpose, the more our actions will be authentic and responsible. Black lives matter—discrimination weakens diversity, necessary for a system to be resilient and innovative. Education matters—the more we understand, the better prepared we and our children will be to make decisions that affect them and all of us. Responsible parenting matters—children who are loved, nurtured and educated grow up to be healthy, competent, contributing and fulfilled adults. Failing this, they can grow up  to hate established values and norms of behavior.

 

Technology use has consequences

One person or a small group using the internet can hack into computers at all levels with grave consequences for individuals and social, financial and political systems. 

There has been a lot of talk about 2020 being a “terrible” year. For millions of people it has been devastating. For the rest of us it has been frustrating, disheartening and depressing. Inadvertantly, the mainstream media has saturated us with news of multiple breakdowns and tragedies. In the larger picture—where these can be seen as evolutionary drivers pressuring us to correct our thinking, valuing and acting away from what doesn’t work to what does—it’s important to witness the resiliance of the human spirit, demonstrated by acts of caring, helping, learning and collaborating. In these, we see light dispersing darkness. And in these, we contribute to the light.   

_____________________________

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

What To Do When Your House Is On Fire

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Responding appropriately to climate change

First—Be Aware Of What’s Happening And Take Action Immediately

From a whole-systems perspective, the key to managing complex living systems is to manage the parts in right functional relationship to each other. When this happens, the whole takes care of itself. With regard to climate, Earth is the whole and individual human beings are the parts—“members” of the Earth’s body. The proper function of members in a living system is to maintain their integrity—health, ability to communicate and collaborate with others, offer their unique contribution and make decisions that serve the growth and well-being needs of the whole as well as themselves.

The emergents—responsible individuals, activists, small groups and the worldwide network of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s)—are already responding appropriately, despite the hesitation or failure of governments and many corporate leaders to lead.

 

What can I do?  

Shift My Perception

The highest priority need is a shift in perceptions. First and foremost, who am I? By virtue of being aware of ourselves, there’s a spark that makes us more than our bodies and thoughts. Its been observed that, within each of us are the archetypes of both devil (ego) and angel (soul). So we have a choice. Are my actions in tune with “The Force” or the “The Dark Side?” Is my being in the world making it better? Is what I do an asset or liability for myself, others and the planet? Do my opinions and prescriptions uplift and empower others? Or do they make people feel bad about themselves or humanity, helpless or less optimistic about the future? Am I choosing information and entertainment sources that uplift or confuse and depress me or my family? 

Another, critical shift in perception relates to how we view ourselves in relation to the planet—if we think of it at all. Am I simply a decades-long passenger, here for the ride wherever it takes me? Am I just playing the hand I was dealt at birth? Or am I an engaged member of a living system, doing what I can to take only what I need, clean up after myself and keep the house in good repair for others. These are the “Earth House Rules” articulated by Sallie McFague in A New Climate For Theology: God, the World and Global Warming. She reminds us that the Earth is a home, not a hotel.

Am I doing what I can to take care of it, especially the spaces entrusted to me? In Healing Gaia: Practical medicine for the planet, scientist James Lovelock demonstrated that the planet is a living system, an entity that possesses all the qualities that define life. Am I treating her—the Earth Mother in Native American parlance—as the source and sustainer of my life? All life? 

The paradigm of separation, fear, domination and competition have resulted in the blossoming of the human species—for many, but not most. That manner of thinking and acting has been so successful in creating wealth for the few in the “developed” world, it’s nearly impossible for financial and political interests to release their grip. It’s even hard for us to imagine a world no longer dependent on fossil fuel, nuclear energy, strip-mining, deforestation, ocean pollution and meat production. Yet that’s on the horizon, and it needs to happen soon—“it” meaning a 180º shift to the paradigm of unity, love and respect for each other, nature and the Earth. Clean and renewable technologies.

Like it or not, we are the generation of the shift. We will succeed together or our children and grandchildren will suffer serious physical, mental and emotional consequences, which in the near term (scientists predict two decades) is likely to threaten the survival of many and precipitate a serious reduction in the quality of life for everyone else.

Sixteen-year-old Greta Lungren said “We need to act as if our house is on fire—because it is!” When asked what she considered the core of her message, she said it’s for all people everywhere to engage in conversations about climate change. That’s key. The first step toward solving a problem is recognizing that  it exists.  

Vote For The Voices Of Empathy, Intelligence And Integrity

Another, perhaps the most significant, way to become part of the solution is to understand the beliefs and priorities of political candidates. What do they talk about most—the economy, jobs, energy, education, healthcare, etc.? At that level, every issue has one thing in common—money. To understand a person’s values, follow the money. What have been and continue to be their spending priorities and practices? And realize that none of the issues before us are going to matter in the long run, if we don’t first attend to the survival threats—the pandemic and climate change—that are calling us to responsible action on behalf of the whole system. 

There is still time to affect substantive change. What it requires is electing individuals of integrity—intelligent and wise truth-tellers and collaborators who understand the seriousness of Coronavirus and climate change, make them the top priority and commit to taking responsible action immediately. To safeguard the health of all living systems well into the future, difficult decision are needing to be made by all of us.

Given that there will be resistance, a crucial roll for the United States president and other leaders is to tell the truth, define hot-button and misunderstood terms like “freedom,” “socialism” and “rights,” affect a shift away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable energy sources, frequently convey scientific facts and consequences to the public and empower citizens to become engaged in conservation, recycling and sustainable energy. With a shift in perception and attitude, the challenges we face can become the catalyst that unites us.

Recommendations By Experts

Sallie McFague (Ecologian): A New Climate for Theology: God, the World, and Global Warming.She suggests a fourfold practice.

1. Voluntary simplicity

2. Focus on the needs of others

3. Cultivate the inclusive Self—expand the circle of caring to the world and everyone in it

4. Apply the above at all levels of activity, personal and public

 

Charles Eisenstein (Ecologist): Climate: A New Story. “Climate change is inviting us to forge a different kind of relationship, one that holds the planet and all of its places, ecosystems, and species sacred—not only in our conception and philosophy, but in our material relationship. Nothing less will deliver us from the environmental crisis that we face. Specifically, we need to turn our primary attention toward healing soil, water, and biodiversity, region by region and place by place… We must enact a civilization-wide unifying purpose: to restore beauty, health and life to all that has suffered during the Ascent of Humanity… If I were pressed to offer a universal solution, it would be to see and treat the world as sacred again. As my friend Orland Bishop says, the sacred is something that requires sacrifice; that is, it is something we value—and would sacrifice to protect—beyond its use-value to ourselves.”

 

His Holiness The Dalai Lama: The Universe In A Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality. “Because of the profoundly interconnected reality of today’s world, we need to relate to the challenges we face as a single human family rather than as members of specific nationalities, ethnicities, or religions. In other words, a necessary principle is a spirit of oneness of the entire human species. Some might object to this as unrealistic. But what other options do we have?”

 

Brian Swimme (Cosmologist): What Is Enlightenment? Magazine, Spring/Summer 2001. “The solution to our crises: Reinvent ourselves, at the species level, in a way that enables us to live… not just with humans but with all beings—so that our activities actually enhance the world.”

 

Sarah VanGelder (Editor, YES! Magazine).“Small actions and choices can have major, although unpredictable, effects in determining what comes next. Among the possibilities is that the thousands of experiments and millions of choices to live more consciously will coalesce into a new civilization that fosters community, provides possibilities for meaning, and sustains life for the planet.”

 

Little Things Add Up

The following is a sampling derived from people committed to amending their lives in response to climate change. I offer it for consideration and with a tip of the hat to those who are already putting small things into practice.

  • Take shorter showers.
  • Fly less. Use video or phone conferencing for work meetings and gatherings instead. 
  • Travel by train or bus. On long distances, cars pollute more than airplanes.
  • Turn lights off, except when necessary.
  • Turn down the thermostat & wear sweaters in winter.
  • Set the summer-time air conditioner a little less cooler.
  • Shop close to home; ride a bike.
  • Car pool or use public transportation.
  • Make the vehicle you purchase a 10-15 year commitment.
  • Improve the energy efficiency of the house
  • Turn off the hot water heater while on vacation.
  • Satisfy wants less frequently than needs.
  • Purchase a vehicle that doesn’t burn fossil fuel.
  • Only purchase shoes and other wearing apparel when necessary.
  • Use existing materials of any kind before buying new.
  • Borrow books and videos from the library rather than purchasing them.
  • Never litter and pick up litter.
  • Wrap sandwiches and other short-use foods in recyclable paper rather than plastic.
  • Offer charitable contributions to NGO’s.
  • Drive the shortest distance between two points.
  • Turn off electronic devices when not needed for long periods.
  • Cut back on meat, especially beef.
  • Cancel subscription to a lawn care service—because it kills insects and worms.
  • Buy organic foods as much as possible.
  • Switch to ink pens or pencils, so not to use ballpoint pens.
  • Never throw waste into a pond, stream, river, lake or any other body of water.
  • Use fewer devices that require disposable batteries.
  • Learn a trade in the solar or wind technology industries.
  • When searching for a job, look into alternative energy companies.
  • Use cloth rather than paper towels.
  • Use natural cleaning products; ammonia or vinegar rather than Clorox.
  • Never purchase anything with real fur, animal skin or leather.
  • Use washable cloth rather than commercial diapers.
  • Use existing office supplies before buying more.
  • Mulch leaves in the Fall, don’t just throw them away.
  • Use a printer and copier only when necessary and recycle the cartridges.
  • Reading more; watch television less.
  • Hold off buying the next generation smartphones—or anything—until it’s necessary.
  • Recycle everything possible, and in appropriate ways.
  • Recycle metals that are no longer needed; don’t let weeds grow over them.
  • Use hand rather than power tools, especially not those that burn fossil fuel.
  • Ask for paper rather than plastic cups and straws in restaurants.
  • Borrow or rent tools rather than purchase them.
  • Reuse binders, folders and mailers as much as possible.
  • Reduce, ideally eliminate, single-use plastic bottles and other containers.
  • Take cloth bags to the grocery store.

 

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

George Bernard Shaw

 

The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.

Pope John Paul II 

 

You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.

Jane Goodall

 

Email: smithdl@fuse.net

Portfolio: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

Photography Monographs. The pages can be turned in each book.

Photographing To Feed The Soul

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Beyond taking pictures, make photographs that express emotion

Being house bound, this is an excellent time to develop or exercise your creative “eye.” Modern cameras and smartphones in all price ranges have tremendous technological capability. But when I look around and on the internet, they’re mostly being used to produce images that  capture or document what’s in front of the camera. Even professional and fine art photographers are mostly documenting what they see. I enjoy these images and appreciate what it takes to produce them; as a lifelong photographer, my collection is filled with them. But my preference has always been to photograph expressively. 

Expressionism    

Artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tired of accurately representing their subjects on canvas, turned to express their feelings by painting distortions, exaggerations and fantasies that were dramatic, sometimes violent. Always emotional. Examples of the “expressionism movement” in painting include Edvard Munch’s The Scream and Franz Marc’s The Large Blue Horses. 

Many fine art photographers in the late 20th century picked up on that approach, but photo historians don’t consider expressionism a “movement” in photography because masters working in “Straight Photography” (Imogen Cunningham, Edward Weston, Ansel Adams) and “Modern Photography” (Chuck Kimmerle, Ruth Bernhard, Paul Caponigro) varied their styles. 

Photographic documentation involves the recording and presentation of subjects as they are. To find interesting or spectacular locations, travel was required and for many professionals, hardships had to be endured. Documentary photographs excel at providing information about  the visible world, revealing what the photographer saw from his or her point-of-view at a particular time and place.

Expressive photography is less about recording information and more about revealing the photographer’s feelings about a subject and eliciting an emotional response in the viewer. To those ends, subject matter can be found anywhere. One of my teachers at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) said “A creative person can photograph in a phone booth with an Instamatic camera and come away with a masterpiece.”

As opposed to the hunter-gatherer approach of documentarians, the expressive photographer’s challenge is to see in ways that differ from everyday reality, to image the ordinary as extraordinary. This is not to say that documentary photographs can’t also be expressive. They can be, very much so. Master photographers such as Mitch Dobrowner and Julia Anna Gospodarou have demonstrated that both approaches can be inspiring. 

Try it yourself

Technically and aesthetically, expressive photography is largely about the light and what it’s doing, so I offer the following little exercise in black and white to make a photograph that feeds your soul.  

Equipment & material

  • Camera or smartphone. Consult the manual on how to photograph in black and white
  • Tripod or phone support. You need your hands free to adjust the subject, camera and light
  • A plain black cloth. Nothing with a print or pattern, and about 4 ft. long on one side.

Light source

Use a penlight and a way to support it; another person could even hold it in place. As a specular “point-source,” it’s ideal for creating very sharp shadows. And being the only light you’ll use, it will produce a high contrast image. Penlights differ widely in color. That’s another reason for shooting in black and white, but the main reason is to take the impact of color out of the equation. An aesthetic eye is best developed by first becoming sensitive to what the light is doing, how it’s affecting the qualities of form, brightness, contrast, gradation and texture. 

Location and subject

At night, turn off all the lights in your kitchen; make it as dark as possible. Shine the penlight on whatever is there, ideally something smaller than 8-inches in diameter and without printed words. You might take an item from a cabinet or the refrigerator. Fruits and vegetables, cut or whole, make great subjects. 

Instead of pointing the light from the front as you would a flashlight, direct it to the sides, behind, above and below. As you move the light around, change your point-of-view as well. Resist the impulse to name the object. Just see it as a form that has texture. Watch what happens to the shadow as the light moves. You might want to look at several objects this way to create fascinating forms and textures. When a particular combination stands out, that’s your subject. Here’s another one of mine.

The setup

Stretch the black cloth on a flat surface. Eliminate or hide any seams or buttons, anything that could distract from the subject matter. With the item placed, move the penlight around it again.  Notice how light from the side emphasizes texture. To reduce it, light the subject from above. At some point, as you change your position and the light relative to the subject, your soul will prompt a Yes! or Wow! When that happens, fix the camera and the light so they stay in place. 

To compose the shot in the camera, turn the penlight off and the room light on to make adjustments. Go in close with the camera or phone. Exclude everything that’s not the subject, and eliminate any distracting elements in the foreground or background. When that’s done, turn on the penlight, turn off the room light and shoot. 

Edit and print 

Sometime later, select the image you like best. What you have is a digital file, it’s potentially a photograph. You could print it as is, but that won’t be as satisfying as it would be with some editing. If you have the technology, crop the image as desired—eliminate spots, lighten or darken it overall, increase or decrease the contrast and sharpen. 

When you’re satisfied with the adjustments, make a print. Because this is a photograph, not a snapshot, I recommend a letter-size (8.5 x 11) print. Critically important, if you care about making images to grow your aesthetic eye and feed your soul, do not let anyone see it! Not yet. Ultimately, the only evaluation that matters is your own.

Your aesthetic evaluation

Sit alone where you won’t be disturbed. Have the photograph in front of you. A notepad is not necessary, but a good idea if you want to continue with expressive photography. Close your eyes for a full minute or more; you want nothing else of importance on your mind. When you open them, look at the photograph and address the following questions. There are no right or wrong answers. What you’re going for here, is a recognition of what worked and what didn’t work relative to your aesthetic preferences—contrast, gradation, texture etc. When a soul “sees” authentic creativity, it provides a jolt of joy, feedback that’s saying “Do more!” So this exercise is an opportunity to discover which of your aesthetic inclinations worked at that level. Ask yourself —

  • Why did I choose this subject?
  • What about the “ground” that the subject is sitting on? Does that work?
  • Does the background work? Distract? What would have been better?
  • What is the light doing, relative to brightness,  contrast,  form, texture?
  • What about the shadow? Does it contribute or distract?
  • What worked best?
  • Does the photograph convey what you were feeling when you took the picture? 
  • What would I do differently? Given the response, you might want to do another edit.

Feedback from others 

Now, share the photograph with others, including people who don’t know you. They’ll be objective if someone other than you does the showing and asking. Considering those you show it to, pay attention to their immediate response. In a matter of seconds, are they curious about you or the subject matter? Or did they react with a Wow! or other emotional response? When that happens, you know your photograph moved them. Did the responses you got make you feel good about yourself? Encouraged? Joyful? If so—continue shooting. Your soul is asking for more.

Looking directly into the penlight

Beyond expression

Within the images we create, there’s a message from the universe about life—if we’re open to looking for it. Receiving it. I consider it feedback from the soul. 

In a quiet place and a meditative state, look at your photograph again. In what way is it a reflection of—or metaphor for—how things are? Trace back the origin of the object you photographed. What was its journey? How did it get to you? How many people handled it? Why did this subject appeal to you? This type of questioning amounts to “contemplation,” focusing our attention on a point—in this case, a photograph—and hold it there long enough to explore its deeper meaning. Besides heightening appreciation and improving your eye, one of the great benefits of photography is that it employs the light without—from penlight to sunlight—to illuminate and awaken the light within—Self (soul) l awareness.

Email: smithdl@fuse.net

Portfolio: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

Photography Monographs (Click on the pages to turn them)

There’s More to Exchanging Gifts Than Meets The Eye

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The art of making someone happy and celebrating the relationship

This is our grandson, Ethan Miller. He was five-years-old. I choose this image because it represents the kind of joy we’d all like to see on someone’s face when they receive a gift from us. The subtitle indicates that there’s an art to gift-giving because done well it’s creative in several ways—conceiving of what to give; designing, constructing or purchasing the item; wrapping and presenting it.

Gift-giving is one of the earliest traits of hominids. Holes were drilled into bones, animal teeth and stones to make necklaces and other adornments. Having appeal, they and other items were exchanged to form alliances that improved the chances for survival. With the growth of civilizations, gift-giving became a tradition. Pharaohs, Greek and Maya kings were given gifts to celebrate their accession to the throne, birth dates and to show allegiance and foster political or religious favors. In the Middle Ages, New Year’s Day and other dates were specified as times for everyone to exchange gifts. Food was exchanged to express the giver’s bounty and generosity; manuscripts and books became popular as gifts because they were expensive. 

Many indigenous and tribal cultures engaged in elaborate rituals of gift-giving. Most well-studied by anthropologists and ethnologists are the Kwakiutl of the American Northwest coast. Between 1849 and 1925, their potlatch ceremonies reached a peak. Their purpose was mainly to validate the donor’s claim to high social rank; the more he gifted the community, the more he was revered as a “Big Man.” Sometimes, contenders spent decades amassing their wealth, only to give it all away on one occasion. A potlatch could also be held for someone to save face after suffering public embarrassment. I”ve read some of the ethnographic research on these ceremonies and the extent of gift-giving was massive. The sponsor would literally become broke overnight, and the next day he’d begin again to build his wealth so he could give it away. 

Today, gift-giving is a worldwide phenomenon, each culture prescribing the what, where, when and how it’s done. In China, New Year’s gifts are wrapped in red or money is given in a red envelope to signify wealth and prosperity. A gift and its wrapping cannot be black, white or blue, colors associated with death and funerals. The Japanese place nearly as much value on the wrapping of a gift as they do its content. In India, flowers, clothes and sweets are exchanged on Diwali, the festival of light that marks the celebration of good over evil. In Russia, a child’s birthday is special for all who attend the celebration, because a game is played where gifts are hung from a clothesline and everybody gets one. And finally, gifting is an important part of Arab tradition. It brings people together and reflects the giver’s graciousness, generosity and goodwill. Neighbors exchange gifts no matter how well they are known, and if a guest expresses an interest in an item they have in their home, it will likely be given to him.

The Medium Is The Message

Gifts communicate. The message may or may not be expressed overtly, as in “I know you like dark chocolate…” or “It’ll go with your blue…” Always, regardless of what the gift is or who’s giving it, there’s a subtextual message that reveals the giver’s intention relative to the receiver. 

Some gifts are exchanged out of obligation, usually at events such as Christmas and holiday office parties, weddings, birthdays, graduations and baby showers. Other gifts come as a surprise to the recipient. Whatever the context, the choice of the gift, its wrapping and presentation speak to the relationship. Of course, the message can vary widely, conveying feelings about the recipient, the present or future relationship, attitudes about reciprocation, protocol or social pressure or beliefs about the nature of gift-giving itself. For instance, some consider the gifting protocol an imposition at times, a commercially-driven nuisance. Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and Valentines Day are examples where there’s social pressure to give a gift.

The Intention    

The giver’s intention is the all-important first question, even before considering what to give because it’s the motivating force that drives everything else. Who is this person to me? What role does she play? What do I want to convey? What do I want him or her to feel about me—and the gift? Little to nothing? Friendship? Important or not important relationship? Colleague? Superior or junior status? Compassion? Love? Unconditional love? And the many “colors” in-between. More simply, the intention is to give a person a moment of joy. 

The Gift

For the giver, the experience is pleasing if the gift expresses the intention. For instance, the big smile on our grandson’s face is precisely what his parents had hoped for. Good gifting occurs when the gift and the subtext are aligned. The item is appreciated not only for what it is, but also because it “says” something about the relationship that pleases the receiver. Examples of subtextual messages include, “I see you.” “I know what you like.” “I hear you.” “I want to support your interest.” “I want to help you…” “I love what you do.” “I love who you are.” “I hope this gives you joy.” “You’re so good at…” “You’re such a good friend (or whatever).” “You mean a lot to me.” “I appreciate you.” 

Some gifts are disappointing for the receiver. Not wanting to offend the sender, we never say so. The prime example is “returns,” gifts we don’t like or want.  Perhaps the sender didn’t understand or consider the interests, preferences, or situation of the receiver. Another disappointing gift is the one that sends an unwelcome message: “Honey, I heard you complain about the vacuum cleaner; this one’s fantastic! Subtext: “I see you as the maid.” Gifts that can, with some exceptions, qualify the joy in receiving are those where the giver gets to share in the use of the gift. “I signed you up for archery lessons—both of us—so we can go together!” Or “I got you a kayak! Tomorrow we pick it up.” Such items are best discussed before being purchased. Another example is the gift of travel, tickets to an event and consumables. Gift cards can go both ways.   

When someone hasn’t taught them differently, boys and young men are tempted to give a woman a gift that’s impersonal—appliance, tool, equipment, machinery and gadgets. There are exceptions, but generally, women would rather select those kinds of things for themselves. A gift is “personal” when it says the sender regards the receiver as a unique and special—beautiful, intelligent, capable, good, loving—person. This could consist of items that contribute to a woman’s comfort, appearance, adornment, occupation, interests or social life. Novels carry positive associations, but self-help books imply a subtext that says, “There’s something wrong with you.”

Men and boys, on the other hand, generally prefer items that will enhance their work, hobbies, or special interests, including tools, nonfiction books, electronics, sporting goods, subscriptions,  videos, competitive games, cool gadgets and enjoyable foods and beverages. Clothing can go both ways, largely depending on the age of the receiver. I tease my grandson every year inquiring about what color of socks he’d like for Christmas. Enough said.

With respect to children living with their parents, it’s advisable to check with the parents before buying a gift, both to avoid duplication and honor the way the child is being raised. Some parents don’t want their children to have certain movies, smartphones, and other electronics, video games and toys that mimic guns of any kind.

From the receiver’s point-of-view, a good or great gift can be what was hoped for, what brings delight, contributes to current interests or touches the heart. Depending upon age and gender, it can be fun, exciting, surprising, beautiful, helpful, or inspiring. And great gifts don’t necessarily equate with the cost. One of the most satisfying gifts I gave to Jennifer, our daughter, was a poem. And one of the most memorable gifts from Linda was a ride in a glider. What have you received that gave you great joy? Who gave it to you? And what did it say about the relationship? 

Presentation         

Here too, the subtext communicates. How much time or creativity went into the wrapping? One Christmas I witnessed a child, six or seven years of age, handing his mother a gift wrapped in a garbage bag. Whatever happened there, the lesson for me was that the process of gift-wrapping has to be learned. It doesn’t come naturally. My dad always took me to buy gifts for my mom, and he taught me how to wrap them. Later on, observing how Linda made each package special using a variety of materials—some of which I’d never think to put on a package—I realized that there’s an art to it. Simply put, the more time and creativity invested in the wrapping and presentation, the more effectively the intention is communicated. 

While cocooning during the pandemic is a challenge this holiday season, the spirit of celebration is alive and well, indicated by record-breaking early shopping, lighting displays in neighborhoods, tree lightings, ramped-up charitable initiatives and Christmas movies. The limitations we’re experiencing this year are certainly unwanted, but for those of us privileged to be healthy they can bring out the best in us—like doing what we can to safeguard each others’ health and invest the gifts we give with meaning beyond obligation. An expression of our intention to bring joy to someone can be as simple as a phone or zoom call or a card. Beyond the physical gift, what matters more is being mindful of subtext and remembering why we’re exchanging gifts—to bring joy to others, renew our relationships and  demonstrate peace and love. 

Receiving A Gift

When we receive a gift that makes us happy, it provides an opportunity to make the giver happy as well. How we receive a gift communicates. At the very least, if we’re not in the presence of the one who offered the gift we need to acknowledge that it was received. Whether or not we’re in the giver’s presence a simple “thank you” is flat, barely moves the enjoyment needle. Talking about the gift later on moves it a little more, but the needle really gets “pinged” when, after time goes by, the receiver provides words or evidence that the gift is being used and is very much appreciated. “That sweater you gave me for my birthday has become my favorite!” “Every morning I use your coffee mug.” “That wireless headset is giving me a fresh appreciation for music I’ve been listening to for years.” Just as there’s an art to giving, there’s an art to receiving, expressing appreciation and enjoyment for what we received.

_____________________________

I welcome your comments at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

Acknowledgment

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An expression of gratitude for an action or achievement

Dr. Albert Sabin

As part of a prime-time medical series for television called A Matter Of Life, producer David George and I filmed Dr. Sabin in his Washington, D.C. lab. An entire program was devoted to his development of the oral polio vaccine, which played a key role in nearly eradicating the disease worldwide. I offer this photograph to represent, acknowledge and appreciate the medical professionals, including researchers, suppliers and those who play a role in maintenance, support and ancillary services.  

Acknowledgement is an outward recognition that something favorable has been received. Whether spoken, written or offered as a gift, it’s an expression of gratitude and good feelings. In The Psychological Effects of Workplace Appreciation & Gratitude, O. C. Tanner says it triggers a brain boost. “The hypothalamus, which controls basic bodily functions such as eating and sleeping, and dopamine, the ‘reward neurotransmitter’ are heavily affected by feelings of gratitude. It can increase a person’s wellness, increase better sleep habits, increase metabolism and lessen stress. The greatest psychological effect of appreciation and gratitude is the happiness and other emotions immediately felt whether we’re giving or benefiting from it.”

An article in Changing Minds describes our need for acknowledgement. “When people acknowledge us, even briefly, we feel a connection with them. This is a step towards bonding and the joining of identities.” According to a study in Congruence: Aligning your people with your business objectives, “The benefit of acknowledgement is letting the receiver know that you’ve heard them or received their communication.” 

In a study reported in Psychology Today, Why You Need To Be Seen: The critical role of acknowledgement in maintaining our motivation, Dr. Craig Dowden found that those in the “acknowledged” group persevered significantly longer and completed a third more of the tasks than those in the control group. “Taking the time to acknowledge the work of the people around us can positively impact their level of motivation. Creating a culture of ‘paying it forward’ may spur a mutually reinforcing cycle of motivation, which can drive us to reach new heights and persevere, especially in challenging times. Paying attention to the work and efforts of our colleagues not only provides us with much-needed human connection, it can also heighten their motivation and perseverance.”

In her book, The Power of Acknowledgement, author Judith W. Umlas provides even more reasons to acknowledge those we know and don’t know. It “builds intimacy and creates powerful interactions, neutralizes, defuses, deactivates and reduces the effect of jealousy and envy, leads to high energy and high-quality performance, sometimes makes a profound difference in a person’s life and work and can improve the emotional and physical health of both the giver and receiver.” 

I’m reminded of a luncheon I attended at the headquarters of a large corporation. Waiting in the lobby for Heather, my host, I read their impressive statement of mission and values. I was introduced to the CEO and other officers. Professional dress at every level. Personable and professional interactions. Luxurious facilities. The details of the meeting are lost in memory now, except for an incident I will never forget.

After lunch, Heather led me to a place where we dropped off our food trays. Behind a little window, an older woman wearing a hairnet and apron busily took the trays as we slid them to her so she could clean and move them onto a conveyor belt headed for the dishwashing area. Heather and I were talking but she stopped. “Excuse me David,” she said. She turned and set her tray down, but held onto it so the woman couldn’t take it. Hello!” Heather said, holding the woman’s gaze. “I just want you to know how much I appreciate what you do here.” Heather said something else, but I didn’t hear it. A line was forming in back of me. Moving on, I asked if she knew that woman. She didn’t. “I think it’s important to acknowledge people for what they do,” she said. I asked if other employees did that. “Probably not,” she said. “But I have to.”

Indeed. Acknowledgement. Heather probably made that woman’s day. Certainly, she made mine. And the best part, her kind words left such an impression that I have ever since wanted to emulate that simple gesture. And so the photograph of Dr. Sabin calls me to acknowledge and appreciate the hard working, out-of-the-spotlight people at every level who keep the medical field humming—frantically buzzing these days considering the pandemic. THANK YOU!

 

We’re in a country that acknowledges only those who stand on the victory podium, but some of my heroes come in last. — Bud Greenspan, producer of sports documentaries, notably the Olympic Games

 

Each time I practice the power of acknowledgement I’ve given the other person a priceless gift — the gift of dignity and self-worth. — Elizabeth Kearney, author, People Power: Reading people for results.

 

Email: smithdl@fuse.net

Portfolio: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

Photography Monographs. The pages can be turned in each book.

Autumn Reflection And Appreciation

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As above, so below

DC6844

One of the benefits of a photographic image is that it presents us with a moment, usually a fraction of a second, and holds us there afterward so we can reflect and appreciate the subject matter—and possibly some significance it might have.

The live scene or situation in front of the camera is part of our continuous experience, so mentally and physically we’re always on the move with respect to it. We give it fleeting attention. Ah, nice forest, we think. Beautiful trees! And then we’re on to the next thing. Thoughts change. We loose interest. We become distracted. And the scene changes.

But when we sit with an image a while longer, a photograph or painting, the act of focused attention promotes an inner assimilation of the subject matter. Spending time with a beautiful image can have the same, albeit more subtle, effect of recharging our batteries and resetting our priorities, as when we spend time in nature or goes on a retreat. We especially recognize these benefits are occurring when the experience or observation produces an inhale, a deep “breath of fresh air.” It’s an indication that we’ve made a connection, tasted a deeper reality where all is well. A bit of the life force has been assimilated.

Beyond that, there’s more to be gained by contemplating an image. For instance in the above image the colors are beautiful and they mark a seasonal change. But what else is going on? Are there meanings to be gleaned beyond the surface appearance? For me, one consideration is the nature and source of color itself, how it’s a mental construct based on a complex of solar wavelengths, surface characteristics, sensory inputs and the brain/nervous system. I also thought about the diversity of different species of trees, how their leaves turn different colors at different time and how the trees blend together to create a “symphony” of harmonizing colors, forms and textures. And of course, autumn serves as a metaphor for change, death, transformation and renewal.

Considering the reflection of the forest on the water, an ancient adage by Hermes Trismegistus, author of sacred Greek texts, came to mind. He’s accredited with the notion, “As above, so below,” referencing man as a microcosm that mirrors the macrocosm of pure being. While I favor the idea, especially considering that it was central to the wisdom of indigenous peoples, the reflection on the water doesn’t accurately reflect the details of the forest. Nonetheless, it is complimentary. Cropped, to frame only the water, the image stands on it own as an aesthetic experience, and unlike the actual forest it evokes the sensibility of blending, merging, motion and unity.

Reflecting further, the forest as a whole represents consciousness, and the individual trees thoughts that come and go. In the “above” reality, there’s a sharp and clear distinction between thoughts. In the “below” reality, the reflection, thoughts are blending, shimmering and dissolving into one another. My appreciation here, is how an image can generate meanings beyond its surface identification—when we take the time to look and ponder. Seeing more, we become more.

 

About The Image

I took an extended trip to photograph in western Michigan. To prepare, I did a great deal of research to find a destination that was within a day’s drive to where the color of the trees would be peaking. The weather forecast was for four days of sunshine, so I packed my cameras, eager to shoot both black and white film and digital color.

As the saying goes, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” I drove a full day in the rain, expecting to have the four days of sunlight ahead of me. You guessed it—it drizzled and rained all day, every day. About two hours on the last day the clouds slightly and I happened upon this privately-owned pond in Shelby, Michigan.

The trees were awesome—as the above image demonstrates. One of the benefits of cloud-cover is the reduction of contrast, meaning the highlights don’t “blossom” or blow out as they could in bright sunlight. And the lack of contrast can easily be compensated for in Lightroom or Photoshop.

Another benefit of “bad” weather—for both color and black and white—is atmosphere. While Fall colors “pop” in bright sunlight, overcast and dark clouds can contribute to mood. When it rained so hard I couldn’t get out of the car without getting the camera wet, I drove at a crawl and just appreciated what was I was seeing. Sometimes it’s more rewarding to just be rather than do.

I welcome your feedback at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

Nature’s Wisdom

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We can learn it the easy way or the hard way

Ecoliteracy involves an understanding of the basic principles of ecology. Understanding is the relatively easy part. The challenging part is living accordingly. Due to the specificity and complexity of this topic, I draw heavily upon The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision by Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi.

 

During more than 3 billion years of evolution, the planet’s ecosystems have organized themselves in subtle and complex ways to maximize their sustainability. This wisdom of nature is the essence of ecoliteracy. We can formulate a set of principles of organization that may be identified as basic principles of ecology, and use them as guidelines to build sustainable human communities.

Fritjof Capra, Author, The Systems View of Life

Interdependence 

The first principle is interdependence. All members of an ecological community are interconnected in a vast and intricate network of relationships—what Capra refers to as the web of life. Members derive their essential characteristics and existence from their relationships to life processes. The behavior of every member of an ecosystem depends on the behavior of many of the others. The success of the whole depends on the success of the individual members, and the success of each member depends on the success of the whole.

For the reality of interdependence to translate into everyday behavior, there has to be a shift in perception and emphasis—from part to whole (From “me, myself and I” to “all of us together”), from objects to relationships (From “I want stuff,” to “I want to improve and deepen my relationships”) and from quantities to qualities (From “I want more…,” to “I want better…”)  “A sustainable human community is aware of the multiple relationships among its members, as well as of the relationships between the community as a whole and its natural and social environment. Nourishing the community means nourishing all these relationships.” (Fritjof Capra) 

 

Life Processes Are Cyclical 

Life processes are cyclical, involving feedback loops, pathways where information and nutrients are continually recycled. For instance, the water cycle and the food “chain.” Being open systems, all organisms within an ecosystem produce wastes, but what is waste for one species is food for another. Communities of organisms have evolved in this way over billions of years, continually using and recycling the same molecules of minerals, water and air. Industrial systems are linear—extract, transform, market, consume and waste. Sustainable patterns of production and consumption would be cyclical, imitating the cyclical processes in nature. In many ways and places, we are moving in that direction.

 

Complex Living Systems Require Sunlight

Sunlight, transformed into chemical energy by the photosynthesis of green plants, is the primary source of energy driving ecosystems. “Solar energy in its many forms—sunlight for solar heating and photovoltaic electricity, wind and hydropower, biomass, etc.—is the only kind of energy that is renewable, economically efficient, and environmentally benign. By disregarding this ecological fact, our political and corporate leaders, again and again, endanger the health and well-being of millions around the world.” Fritjof Capra

“Corporate economists treat not only the air, water, and soil as free commodities but also the delicate web of social relations, which is severely affected by continuing economic expansion. Private profits are being made at public costs in the deterioration of the environment and the general quality of life, and at the expense of future generations. The marketplace simply gives us the wrong information. There is a lack of feedback, and basic ecological literacy tells us that such a system is not sustainable.” Fritjof Capra

 

Nature Thrives On Cooperation

“The cyclical exchanges of energy and resources in an ecosystem are sustained by pervasive cooperation. Indeed, ever since the creation of the first nucleated cells over 2 billion years ago, life on Earth has proceeded through ever more intricate arrangements of cooperation and coevolution. Partnership—the tendency to associate, establish links, live inside one another, and cooperate—is one of the hallmarks of life.” Fritjof Capra

Life did not take over the globe by combat, but by networking.

Lynn Margulis (Evolutionary Biologist) & Dorian Sagan (Author)

“Economics emphasizes competition, expansion, and domination; ecology emphasizes cooperation, conservation, and partnership… Nature sustains life by creating and nurturing communities. Sustainability is not an individual property but a property of an entire web of relationships. It always involves a whole community… The way to sustain life is to build and nurture community. A sustainable human community interacts with other communities—human and nonhuman—in ways that enable them to live and develop according to their nature.” Fritjof Capra

 

Flexibility

Within ecosystems, flexibility is a consequence of multiple feedback loops, that can bring the system back into balance whenever there’s a deviation from the norm due to changing conditions. “For example, if an unusually warm summer results in increased growth of algae in a lake, some species of fish feeding on these algae may flourish and breed more, so that their numbers increase and they begin to deplete the algae. Once their major source of food is reduced, the fish will begin to die out. As the fish population drops, the algae will recover and expand again. In this way, the original disturbance generates a fluctuation around a feedback loop, which eventually brings the fish/algae system back into balance.” Fritjof Capra  

Each change and response is a “variable.” And the nore variables there are—and kept fluctuating—the more dynamic the system, the greater is its flexibility and the greater its ability to adapt to change. “Loss of flexibility always means loss of health. There’s always the danger that the whole system will collapse when a variable goes beyond certain limits and the system can no longer compensate for it. “The same is true of human communities. Lack of flexibility manifests itself as stress. In particular, stress will occur when one or more variables of the system are pushed to their extreme values, which indicates increased rigidity throughout the system. Temporary stress is an essential aspect of life, but prolonged stress is harmful and destructive to the system. The important realization that managing a social system—a company, a city, or an economy—means finding the optimal values for the system’s variables. If one tries to maximize any single variable instead of optimizing it, this will invariably damage the system as a whole.” Fritjof Capra

 

Diversity

Diversity contributes to resiliency. For one thing, diverse species within an ecosystem can, if necessary, overlap functions, even replace one another. If a particular species is destroyed for some reason, breaking the link in a network, “a diverse community will be able to survive and reorganize itself, because other links in the network can at least partially fulfill the function of the destroyed species. In other words, the more complex the network is, the richer is its pattern of interconnections, and the more resilient it will be; and since the complexity of the network is a consequence of its biodiversity, a diverse ecological community is resilient.” Fritjof Capra 

In human communities, ethnic and cultural diversity plays the same role. “Diversity means many different relationships, many different approaches to the same problem. A diverse community is a resilient community, capable of adapting to changing situations. However, diversity is a strategic advantage only if there is a truly interconnected community, sustained by a web of relationships. If the community is fragmented into isolated groups and individuals, diversity can easily become a source of prejudice and friction. But if the community is aware of the interdependence of all its members, diversity will enrich all the relationships and thus enrich the community as a whole, as well as each individual member.” Fritjof Capra 

 

The next few decades will be a decisive time for humanity and the planet. We face an unprecedented crisis where, faster than we expected, the ecological system upon which human civilization depends is unraveling with devastating consequences. An exciting and rewarding era of opportunity awaits us if we rise to the challenge of living more sustainably. 

Duane Elgin, Author, Voluntary Simplicity

 

I welcome your feedback at <smithdl@fuse.net>

My portfolio site: DavidLSmithPhotography.com

My Photography Monographs

Invitation To Visit “Ancient Maya Cultural Traits”

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Stela E Quirigua (Honduras)

This is the largest monolithic monument ever erected in the New World. It’s over 24 ft. tall, and 10 ft. more is sunk in the ground. Dedicated on January 22, 771 AD , it commemorates the rise to power of Lord K’ak’ Tiliw Chan Yopaat, a Maya king. On the front and back, he’s shown standing on the earth monster wearing a tall headdress and holding K’awiil, the scepter of divine rulership, across his chest. The text on the sides records his accession. The workman (top right) was erecting a thatch roof to protect it from the rain.

Stelae functioned within the ritual landscape as surrogate ritual performers. The images of gods  portrayed on them were understood as the actual manifestation of those deities, not merely a representation.

David Stuart (Archaeologist / Epigrapher)

If you’d like to learn more about the ancient Maya, I invite you visit my site for weekly postings at—

https://ancientmayaculturaltraits.com 

Topics Include

The meaning and significance of blood

Prophecy

Jade

Maize and the Maize God

Sacred Space

Termination Rituals

The Underworld

Coming of age initiation

Canoes (Dugout and celestial)

Bloodletting

Dowsing

K’awill, the god who conveys kingship

Clothing

The ball game

War & Warriors

Cages

Feasting

Dance — and more.