I tend to ask the question, “Is that true?,” an awful
lot. It’s the energy of the “Revolutionary”
archetype. And of course, I’d have to
have a strong Revolutionary energy to practice alternative medicine. So, including and beyond health, I wonder if
there is a better way than the accepted mainstream version.
This questioning process is the source of all
innovation. We’d still be sitting in the
dark and sending telegraphs if someone hadn’t wondered if there might be a better
way.
As our children came of school age, we asked the question
again. Is public school the best way for
kids to learn? And even more, is
learning the goal…or is there more meaning behind learning? And what is important to learn? To what ends…what are we learning for…what
is the end goal?
I want to point out the purpose of this questioning
process. It is NOT to declare how stupid
everyone else is. It is not a criticism
of current standards. It is a wonder and
thoughtfulness about potential improvement in efficiency and
effectiveness. And the reason for the
point is that sometimes people who are practicing current standards might hear
it as a criticism. I want to be clear…that
is NOT the intention!
For example, the i phone 5 is not a criticism of the i phone
4…it is a stretching toward increased efficiency and effectiveness.
Back to kids learning.
My simple wonder, is…if a child focuses on her heart desire (what she
likes and is interested in)…will she discover her most beloved gift to
humankind and provide that service or product in exchange for value? (Earn a living)
Bill Gates snuck away to a college (don’t recall the
details) that had one of the first computers.
Every spare moment was devoted to that intense interest and desire. Edison had something like two weeks of formal
education, but he found the information he needed to be one of the greatest
inventors of all time. All of his time
was focused on what he loved and was interested in.
When I was 10, I discovered an interest in health and
fitness. I had stacks of muscle and
fitness magazines by the time I was a teenager.
(Which turned out not to be the best source of information, but it was a
start!)
What would have happened if I had been able to commit 8
hours a day toward this study…even encouraged to discover more depth of
knowledge in this interest? What if my
teacher taught me how to research and expand my knowledge in this field…to
follow my heart and interest to its fullest?
Obviously, I don’t know…nor does anyone else. But I wonder!
Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called “The Outliers” several years
ago. An outlier is a person who achieves
greatness in their profession. People
who put a lasting mark on their fields of expertise. He shared the story of Bill Gates, plus Wayne
Gretsky and the Beatles. He shared
stories of entire cultures who had risen to greatness. And the common factor was time
commitment.
For example, the Beatles played in Germany in a club that
stayed open until 5AM. Other bands went
home at 2AM. That extra 3 hours per
night in practicing their passion meant an additional 48 hours per month, and nearly
600 hours per year! Then he described
how Gretsky got more practice time. Then
the entire Canadian all star team…and how entire cultures of people found ways
to get more practice time leading to greatness.
One example was a
certain group of immigrants to New York City.
He described how they, as a culture, fought to get their kids into
advanced public school math programs, driving their kids in to classes before
the sun was up or the bus was running, and staying after school until dark…and
from that practice, led to a cultural innovation of a technology field.
Practice. And
passion.
The Beatles, Bill Gates, and the hockey greats were
practicing their art form. The passion
of the NYC immigrants was to rise above the oppression of their homeland.
Gladwell counted the hours, and discovered that there was
some magic about the 10 thousand hour mark.
If you practice ANYTHING for 10 thousand hours, you will be among the
outstanding greats in your field, and people will pay you to experience your
talent. (No job required!)
He also noted that you must LOVE your art form or talent,
because 10 thousand hours is a long time to practice, before you make a living
from it. Most people opt for the
security of a job and a paycheck rather than struggle in practice for so many
years!
When I was 25, I had graduated with a doctoral degree, and
in two years had three failed attempts at making a living in my trade. The fourth attempt was so painful (mobile
chiropractor), that I filled out an application for a j-o-b. Entry level position, but a secure paycheck
every week. The interviewer was in shock…he
said he couldn’t take me on…it was an expensive process finding and hiring good
help, and certainly I would want to return to my field of expertise.
Great…my education path had created un-employability! I knew a bunch of information…anatomy,
chemistry…but the reality is that I had around 200 hours in practice. I was a beginner…a novice…a hack. If I were a piano player, people would pay me
to stop playing.
But I had to practice…there was no other choice. So I did…I found some other chiropractors
willing to put a novice into practice, and my exchange was moving 1,300 miles
away from “home.” I felt like I had no
choice.
It’s funny…in medicine/health care, we call our job a “practice.” And practice I did. I discovered that Chiropractic was not my
passion. (whoops…that left a 100K debt
on my financial statement!) I kept practicing
my interests, and found the information I needed, well outside the environment
of school.
Somewhere around the early 2010’s, I hit 10 thousand hours
of practice using applied kinesiology and integrated natural medicine. I have achieved results that look something
like greatness…amazing stories of healing…leading people from extreme
discomfort to comfort and happiness.
I was still a little “off” of my true-heart-passion, however. My evidence...I struggled financially, and even despite
some “greatness” experiences, felt unsure of myself. I kept practicing my passion on myself…which
turned out to be ‘creating happiness’…locating resources outside my profession,
and practicing in my own family, until…I started to really feel it
(happiness). Not "I can live with this" but Deep connection, acceptance,
authenticity, trust, significance, contribution…
My children proved to be primary educators in my passion…becoming
happy.
Just last year, I was urged by a patient to teach her how to
be happy…specifically through teaching a seminar about that topic and the
resources I had accumulated to increase happiness. But…no…I was a novice…a hack. Only a few hundred hours practiced.
She kept asking…here and there…and finally I was brave
enough to say yes. I held my first
happiness group with 15 people…and I sucked so much that 10 quit. But the 5 that stuck with it…over 12 weeks…shared
amazing stories of life altering happiness!
I gained the confidence to bring it more into my practice…and
my practice time is adding up…10 thousand hours is still a few years away, but I am
completely happy in my practice (both versions of the word).
As this happened, the struggle seemed to dissipate…as I
connected more deeply to my passion, my bills seemed easier to pay!
Back to kids learning.
I was voted class devil…I spent a few different nights in jail…I was
very angry inside…very anxious inside…
What if that is the resistance to NOT following heart
desire? What if that stress and anxiety
were my signals to keep focusing on heart desire…and when I finally do (did),
all of life falls into place? What if my
education slowed my connection to heart and true passion? (Although I believe that everything happened
just as it needed to get me here)
I don’t know…and neither do you.
I do know that Savannah was not happy. She got sick more often, headaches, and seemed
depressed at times. And, just as a
general rule, I try not to do things that increase sickness, pain, and
depression. Savannah is a unique
individual, and each unique individual has to discover their own heart
passion. We felt that school was not
increasing that.
Can it be ok that she does it differently…more like Bill
Gates and the Beatles? I personally ask
Savannah for advice, and even for money on one occasion. She is 12, and seems to have things figured
out better than I do at 44.
Until she goes to school…there, she learns she is “behind,”
needs “special consideration,” and is so “different” that one boy was punished
for pointing out her difference.
At home, she is rich…makes money easily…through her
consideration and talent. She is valued
as a special gift to her parents and everyone she encounters. She is energetically attractive to all people,
and all people want more of her once they experience her.
I have found through education (in resources such as the
book I mentioned), and through my experience and practice…that moving toward
and into that experience (I am of value, important, and desired) is what brings
fulfillment and wealth. My learned (experienced) rule
is…NOTICE what increases stress and strain…and do less of that…NOTICE what
increases ease and comfort…and do more of that.
And it will be unique to every individual. The NYC immigrants increased ease and comfort
by going to public school MORE…Savannah finds the same by staying home.
I am fully convinced that this strategy is effective toward
happiness.
I also acknowledge that I have NO CLUE. (And therefore would never criticize another path!) I have had the experience of stress and
strain while trying to fit in to a structure and do the “right thing.” I have also had the experience of ease and
comfort when following my heart, even if it is not the “right thing.” That is very real to me.
My goal for Savannah, and the rest of my tribe, is to follow
her heart. Do what they want to do,
and trust that God and nature will provide for them. To connect to the innate need to contribute to
community through that…whether it is the beauty of art, helpfulness of doctoring,
or innovation of invention.
I don’t know how that happens, exactly…and neither do
you. But I wonder...
