Philosophy | 4 0 2

Day 98: Mall Mantra

I went to the mall this afternoon. I was already in the area and figured it would be a good opportunity to shuffle around Nordstrom Rack and get in a good dose of people-watching.

Apparently, 100 million (thousand) other people had the same idea. Twenty-five minutes into looking for a parking spot, I was absolutely determined to make it inside. I was also feeling pretty calm, all things considered. So when I finally pulled into what seemed like a promising row, I startled myself by slamming both hands on the steering wheel and screaming, “WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?!” at the Subaru taking up three parking spaces (it was actually an incredible parking job). Then, I slammed on the gas and hurtled forward through the row.

Just two hours prior to bruising my palms and yelling at an empty car, I was reflecting on my favorite, favorite mantra:

May all beings everywhere be happy and free,
and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life in some way contribute to that happiness and freedom.

It’s a beautiful concept and I think it’s especially applicable during the moments when no one’s watching. Although I was alone, I know I didn’t contribute any goodness to the world in the mall parking lot today. I could have practiced patience and I practiced intolerance instead.

In the grand scheme of things, I didn’t cause major damage by solo screaming (although, the poor bug hanging out on my dashboard didn’t seem pleased). But making peace a habit in the small moments makes it possible to spread peace on a global scale. My favorite mantra only gets accomplished one thought, word and action at a time.

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March 1, 2013

Day 97: Good Work

In January, I started a 40-hour/week contract position with a smart, savvy and totally hip (I don’t use that word lightly—this place is hip) digital marketing agency. Working there has really informed how I view good collaboration and healthy work environments.

The collection of strategists, creatives and producers working smoothly together and in parallel with each other is pretty amazing. Sure, people get stressed. But it’s the good kind of stress that leaves you in slightly stunned wonder at the end of each day (“How did we possibly get that much done?”).

From my very new and somewhat-outsider perspective, here’s what I think is going on:

Everyone is allowed and expected to be flexible in his or her role. The strategists come up with copy when the writers aren’t available. Writers create timelines when the producers are on other projects. The producers dig for good imagery when the designers are booked up and the designers are fierce strategists. Everyone defers to the “expert” in the room when one is available, but no one works in a tightly defined box.

People laugh. Often. And loudly. All thirty-plus staffers sit at two gigantic tables and work next to and across from each other, so laughter travels fast.

People like each other. The agency doesn’t hire employees on a whim. It’s a lengthy get-to-know you process in which cultural fit is highly valued. It’s easy to work with people you like. Since it’s easy, work gets done quickly, efficiently and with minor (if any) pauses to mediate personnel issues.

It’s not personal or hierarchical. Since the majority of the work done is on behalf of an outside client, the best idea always wins. It doesn’t matter who came up with it. This type of mentality serves all parties well. The clients are happy with the level of thought and execution put in at all levels of all projects and they continue to send the agency business.

In short, it’s a pretty cool and functional place.

February 28, 2013

Day 96: Day Haiku

It seemed about time for another round of haiku (and if haiku isn’t really your thing, please go back one post and read Spring by Mary Oliver… its lovely).

As with my day of haiku-ing in the Los Angeles airport, I don’t know if these are traditionally accurate. But they do follow that beloved 5-7-5 system.

One Day:

Morning
Awake for hours, they
play in the grey morning light
as you drift and sigh.

Midday
Smooth cords and slick screens
on each wooden slat. Smells like
caffeine and laughter.

Evening
Dishes pile and things
fall to the ground. They stay, for
a long walk awaits.

Midnight
Cool blue and warm white
soothe to you sleep while the Earth
spins into morning.

February 26, 2013

Day 94: Not Solo Enterprises

There is an interesting American cultural phenomenon that makes each of us believe we should be entirely self-sustainable—our own support systems on our own islands.

I think that’s bunk.

In semi-tandem with Day 3: Seven Types, this post covers the things each of us can expect to source from our fellow human beings.

But first, there are some things we probably shouldn’t expect to get from others. On very deep and basic levels, we are each responsible for our own:

happiness
lifestyle
actions
money (how we get it and where it goes)
outlook (glass half-empty, glass half-full, glass with some water in it, etc.)

Beyond that (and possibly some things I missed), we need each other.

Whether from a philosophical or scientific perspective, human beings are not built as solo enterprises. Even on a microscopic level, we depend on a series of symbiotic relationships in order to survive (bacteria keep our systems flowing and we give bacteria warm and perfect homes). On a macro level, we have necessary relationships with other human beings.

But we can’t fulfill all of our needs with one person—best friend, partner or otherwise. That’s where a community system comes in handy. Between some kind of mix of parents, mentors, siblings, partners, friends, co-workers, kids, neighbors and awesome strangers, we can depend on each other for:

affirmation
humor
gut checks (also known as “that’s a bad idea” checks)
energy
ideas
touch (a hug is more important than its humble nomenclature suggests)
a hard push in one direction or another
fun
emotional support (for the horrible stuff and the great stuff)
intimacy
copyediting
advice
empathy
perspective
[insert a skill you don’t have here]
and a host of other really cool and important things

In short, we need each other.

February 24, 2013

Day 92: Tantrum

This is a sharing weekend. But there’s so much to share, I had a hard time figuring out where to land today. Then it hit me—the ground.

Courtesy of the awesome Planet Earth Phenomenon Facebook page, here’s a picture of an adolescent elephant throwing a tantrum. On the ground. In what looks like a really nice and gushy pile of mud.

Elephants experience an array of emotions, from joy and sympathy to jealousy and rage (visit PBS.org for more on the wide variety of elephant emotions). In the balance-seeking, happiness-obsessed culture of the average, yoga-taking American, seeing an elephant tantrum is a great reminder that balance requires weight on both ends. We experience peace and distress in order to know where the middle ground lies. Light needs dark. It’s natural.

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4 0 2

Category: Philosophy

March 2, 2013