How to be Human
Mankind has made vast advances in knowledge. We understand the galaxies, the insides of molecules and complex gadgets in great detail. But we do not understand how to be human.
I made these observations seeing how certain things make me thrive and others don’t.
Good breaks and travel do wonders for me. The transformation is visible within days. I am more relaxed and I feel great.
The opposite happens when I return to routine work. The quality of relaxation drops. The sleep is not as refreshing as the one on holiday. Thinking I can save the world or hold it together is a fallacy that causes stress. Too much energy and effort are spent on surviving and not enough is left for being creative or thinking. Things that should not be complicated are complicated — like getting utility providers to provide a basic service. Or poor roads that constantly wear out cars. Or the dysfunction inherent in attempting to provide free health care in a low-income country. All this invisible friction causes wear and tear.
What makes humans thrive?
Soft and warm things
The invisible, touchy-feely things that make us uneasy thinking about have the most impact on quality of life.
Like being loved, wanted and accepted. Remove any one of these and you end up with a hurt human.
Humans are complex they hide their hurt in sophisticated ways. They can cover it up with ambition or material accolades. They may be insecure or not know how to give or accept love themselves.
The chain of hurting others and being cold is infinitely long. You have to heal so you can learn how to enjoy the soft things and thrive again. Break the chain.
Motion
Everything about the human body is designed for movement. Joints are lubricated and flexible. Muscles thrive on movement.
Move your body to improve how your body and mind function. In fact, the best thing about physical motion is it improves “mental motion”. You think better and feel better when your body is treated well and made to function as it should.
Stimulation
Stimulation from other humans makes us feel alive. We are social beings.
Nerves that are unstimulated wither. Loneliness kills.
Basics
Water, good food, sleep, and rest are non-negotiable. You cannot skimp on them and thrive.
Limits
There is only so much you can do. There are only 24 hours in a day.
Trying to be superhuman and do more than your body and mind have the capacity for kills.
Don’t take on more than you are capable of.
