Recently, I posted these words on Facebook: You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one. I didn’t consider this to be a profound or controversial statement… not until the responses started rolling in. The first response, “So very true Michael. We must continue to move forward!” was followed by, “Hmmm. Memory whether we like it or not, exists and is triggered by many causes. To not read your past and put it into perspective, could be very damaging to the individual. A form of suppression. You can start the next chapter but need to keep the narrative going, otherwise you will become a deluded person.” And so it began…

As I read down the line of comments, this thought came to mind: Contrary to what many writers may believe, readers bring their own meaning to our words. While writing The Power of Teamwork I stated, “The dictionary defines words… we give them meaning.” Words mean different things to different people at different times and places. Eventually I weighed in on my post with this response: “Growing from our past is productive… attempting to live there isn’t. Yes, it’s fine (and sometimes healthy and productive) to occasionally revisit our past. Like re-reading a ‘good’ book… the content remains unchanged, yet we find new meaning… and sometimes profoundly so. That’s because we’ve changed—our perspective is different. The opposite can also be true… sometimes we re-read a ‘good’ book and discover the magic it once held for us is gone. When I wrote my original post, I was thinking about getting unstuck… moving on. Many people struggle with this ‘stuck’ condition. They can’t get past the past. When we continually attempt to re-live moments, we inadvertently let the past control our present. Change is constant… and life isn’t a stagnant event. Each moment is an original page… an opportunity to create something new… something unique and meaningful. Regardless of where we derive our inspiration—whether it’s reflecting on our past, projecting our future, living in the moment… all or none of the above… life continues on, with or without us.”

As readers and writers, we each bring our own meaning to words. My original post, “You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one,” now carries a different meaning for me than when I first wrote it. While words remain the same, the context of life is ever changing… and over time, the more layers, the more perspectives… the more significant these changes become. Imagine what happens to words over thousands of years. What did or didn’t the authors(s) really mean? You tell me!

Recently, I posted this question on Facebook, “To live a moral life, do people require the promise/threat of eternal rewards or punishments?”

It received many interesting responses… several were sent to me personally. For pantheists, atheists and others, my question posed little challenge. While some religious practitioners suggested eternal rewards and punishments were extra incentives, the majority claimed they would continue living a moral life, regardless of afterlife consequences. While concepts of heaven and hell appear in many religions, I’m limiting my discussion to monotheistic religions of the Abrahamic tradition, since many FB responders identified themselves as such.

I must confess, this subject intrigues me. My grandfathers were evangelical preachers… need I say more? I’ve spent many years discussing theology, studying religion, philosophy… and pondering life. But like Odysseus, I’ve ordered myself tied to the mast as to stay on topic during this post.

If the promise/threat of eternal rewards or punishments have little (if any) influence on people’s moral behavior, why do they exist? In the early Bible, the concept of heaven, hell or Satan didn’t exist. Should someone have referenced these subjects with a Hebrew from the time of Moses, they wouldn’t understand. What changed? Why propose such an idea? No doubt, such questions will generate countless responses. Let me propose one—it explains why those who follow God’s law are sometimes punished on earth while those who don’t, are sometimes rewarded. It offers the promise of retribution. With this belief in place, the just find earthly injustice more tolerable. While a perceived problem is sometimes an unseen solution, the opposite can also be true. The intended and unintended consequences of believing in eternal rewards or punishments is readily evident. Just pick up a history book or turn on the TV.

Some FB responders asked me to define a moral life. For the sake of this discussion, I’ll define it as living one’s life according to the ethic of reciprocity (Golden Rule). In one form or another, this maxim has existed for thousands of years throughout countless cultures, and is foundational to most religions, moral philosophies and healthy societies.

Have you ever noticed how our perceived enemies are demonized… given derogatory labels, portrayed as different from us… presented as a threat, unworthy or evil? This is no accident. It violates the ethic of reciprocity. Take farm animals for example… by labeling pigs “pork bellies” and cows “beef”… and so on, it’s easier to dismiss them as living feeling beings like us. Once dehumanized, labeled as food items, we can better justify the inhumane treatment they receive. In contrast, when loved ones are involved, we focus on our similarities, assign meaningful descriptions and create glowing images of them for ourselves and others to see. We put ourselves in their shoes and by extension, we make connections… we feel their pain and joy. We would do most anything for them. You might say, our moral beliefs and actions can create heaven or hell on earth… we decide.

So what happens to us when we die? I don’t know. Neither does anyone else. What I do know, based on observation, reflection… and FB responses… is that living a moral life, regardless of what happens after we die, resonates with most people. Living a moral life creates more happiness and fulfillment than not living one. Not only for ourselves, but for others, too… including those not yet born. Yes, our afterlife does live on in the hearts and minds of those who survive us. While the ethic of reciprocity provides moral guidance, it also creates awareness and establishes a wonderful litmus test for any society. Imagine if our social, political and business discussions and decisions were centered on the Golden Rule.

Note: Fortunately, I’m still tied to the mast. The Sirens have been luring me with enchanting music… and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to resist. I just deleted several paragraphs of moral anecdotes and philosophical challenges. But as promised, I’m staying on topic to the best of my ability… but be warned, I’m not certain how much longer these ropes can hold me.

So in conclusion, regardless of our beliefs, we are all an inseparable part of an immense whole. It seems most agree, by living a moral life and being accountable for our actions, we do receive just retributions. And if by chance, eternal rewards do await us, to quote Nancy (a FB responder)… it’s like “icing on the cake.”

At one point, Monster returned me to my sophomore year of college. To a time when my nerves were shot… I was confused, sleep deprived and directionless. When you’re attending college full-time while simultaneously working to pay for it, there’s little time for sleep or contemplation. Picking the right path (major) under such conditions can seem impossible. I had always been drawn to the arts… but needing to make a living, practicality was important, too. Uncertain, I decided to enroll in Preston Jackson‘s basic design class. (A few years later, I earned a degree in design/visual communications.) In addition to being a renowned artist, Preston is also a great instructor… and a kind, sensitive and insightful person to boot. One day, as Preston was musing, he said something I’ve never forgotten. “Regardless of what you do in life, be a student of history. But don’t limit yourself to history books. Study the music, art, and literature of particular time periods. Learn everything you can, from every perspective. The past provides meaning to the present… and sheds light on the future.”

When Monster was released, the U.S. was engaged in the Vietnam conflict, Richard Nixon was president, and civil unrest was rampant. To many citizens, especially those from the “older” generation, bands like Steppenwolf were unwelcome messengers—radical groups of unpatriotic, hippie misfits. Students of history know that demonizing the perceived enemy is nothing new. Wait! The enemy? Did you read the lyrics? (see below) They’re lucid, insightful… even prophetic. Unpatriotic? Steppenwolf sounds like a band of patriots! That’s from today’s perspective. When Monster was released, these lyrics challenged America’s ideology with reality. They violated many citizens’ perceptions of themselves by contrasting symbolic representations with facts. The map is not the territory. For many, this concept is difficult to grasp.

Kurt Vonnegut said, “I sometimes wondered what the use of any of the arts was. The best thing I could come up with was what I call the canary in the coal mine theory of the arts. This theory says that artists are useful to society because they are so sensitive. They are super-sensitive. They keel over like canaries in poison coal mines long before more robust types realize that there is any danger whatsoever.”

Perhaps that’s what pulls me to the arts? But I digress. Like canaries, Steppenwolf sensed the poison permeating America… and like good patriots, they warned fellow citizens of the pending dangers. How many listened? How many heard? Many citizens confuse symbols for patriotism. To them, political ideologies outweigh truth and honor… and canaries. Discrediting the messenger is easier than examining the message.

To ignore, discredit or denounce messengers, canaries (or gadflies) is nothing new. Ask Socrates. This brilliant philosopher was found guilty by his fellow citizens and sentenced to death. Guilty of what, you might wonder? For asking valid questions… and thereby exposing perceptual blindness, political corruption, and delusional citizens. In short, Socrates was guilty of being a true Athenian patriot. For the record, I have little respect (actually none) for beliefs or subjects deemed too taboo to question. In fact, I encourage everyone to question most, those deemed most unquestionable. Just as some confuse the package for its contents, they also confuse beliefs, folklore and ideology for reality. Questions followed by critical thinking help us to distinguish the differences… and uncover the truth.

As we shape our future, we also create our past. Time has a way of revealing the villains from the heroes… propagandists from truth tellers… and perceived patriots from real ones. By learning everything we can, from every perspective… we begin to see a bigger, more accurate picture. America is a melting pot of individuals… and patriots come in many shades, shapes and sizes… and from many walks of life. Yet, I’ve observed it’s America’s canaries… the “super-sensitive” folks… those most vulnerable, easiest to attack and discredit that are best at shedding light on our future. Great patriots are seen best by future generations.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Monster
Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riche
But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light
Then once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And ’til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man
But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light
The blue and grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war was over
They stuffed it just like a hog
And though the past has its share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But its protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it’s a monster and will not obey

(Suicide)
The spirit was freedom and justice
And its keepers seem generous and kind
Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won’t pay it no mind
Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
Now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it’s all just an echo of what they’ve been told
Yeah, there’s a monster on the loose
It’s got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin’
The cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin’ the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can’t understand
We don’t know how to mind our own business
Cause the whole world’s got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who’s the winner
We can’t pay the cost
Cause there’s a monster on the loose
It’s got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

(America)
America, where are you now?
Don’t you care about your sons and daughters?
Don’t you know we need you now?
We can’t fight alone against the monster
© Copyright MCA Music (BMI)

The High Line was built in the 1930s to provide freight service to Manhattan’s largest industrial district. Back in the day, the High Line moved freight cars through the center of blocks, connecting them directly to businesses, factories and warehouses. In addition, by elevating the tracks, the number of pedestrian deaths caused by train accidents was greatly reduced. The High Line, so it seemed, was a successful solution on many levels.

Starting in the 1950s, the growth in interstate trucking caused a drop in rail traffic. This trend continued into the 60s, when due to lack of demand, the southernmost section of the High Line was demolished. In 1980, the High Line was shut down. In the eyes of most people, this historic solution had become a major problem.

Citizens and property owners lobbied for the removal of this abandoned relic. Mayor Giuliani adamantly agreed… it was indeed a serious problem. If progress was to be made, this eyesore must go. The High Line was slated for demolition.

Like all great Pink Bat thinkers, freelance writer Joshua David and artist Robert Hammond remained open-minded. They knew that a “problem” is often a mislabeled solution… just waiting to be seen. The two first met in 1999 at a community meeting slated to discuss the High Line’s future.

“I was in love with the steel structure, the rivets, the ruin. I assumed that some civic group was going to try and preserve it, and I saw that it was on the agenda for a community board meeting. I went to see what was going on, and Josh was sitting next to me. We were the only people at the meeting who were interested in saving it,” Hammond told Paul Goldberger, Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic and writer. (read “Miracle Above Manhattan”)

After convincing railroad officials to let them visit the site, these two citizens were overwhelmed by its potential. By focusing on the possibilities, they took action and created the community group, “Friends of the High Line,” and by extension, turned a perceived problem into a real solution.

Today, the High Line is a beautiful elevated park similar to the Promenade Plantée in Paris. Its designers, architects and developers also gleaned inspiration from another urban “Pink Bat” solution, Millennium Park in Chicago. At 25 feet above the streets, New Yorkers and visitors experience beautiful landscapes, plantings, views of the city, the Hudson River… and much more. The High Line, once considered a major problem, has created a renaissance of sorts in the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s spurred new business and real estate development all along the line.

What was standing in the way of progress wasn’t an outdated elevated train line, but a serious case of perceptual blindness. When we label something a problem, we stop seeing it for what it is… or what it can be. How many of your “problems” are actually mislabeled solutions?

The flight took off on time and before long, we were preparing to land. Suddenly, the plane zigged, the storms zagged, adults screamed, and children cried. Our smooth sailing craft, at the hands of Mother Nature, had been transformed into a trackless roller coaster. People who had forgotten how to pray suddenly remembered.

The turbulence was so extreme the pilot bypassed Houston and landed in Austin where the plane was to be inspected for damage. My fellow travelers and I stood at the gate, mentally and physically disheveled, awaiting our fate. Some sent text messages, others called loved ones, and a few reached out to comfort one another. At times like this, it becomes apparent—we humans have far more in common than not. I called my wife, Anne, to see if she could find another flight into Houston. No luck.

Many passengers remained focused on the “problems” at hand. They provided each other with affirmations, complained to agents, and gathered evidence to support their beliefs. Within an hour, our flight had been rescheduled on another plane for later that evening… and then delayed once again for even later. My gut told me the third rescheduling was not going to be the charm.

“Has anyone checked on ground transportation?” I asked a group of passengers that were commiserating at the bar. “No, it’s too far to drive‚ about four hours. We’re just going to wait it out,” said one woman as she raised her glass to toast the decision. The others followed suit. As I thanked her, she wrinkled her nose in a peculiar way and said, “Find the tall woman in the white sweater; she’s thinking about renting a car.” I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol talking, or if a suppressed memory had unexpectedly surfaced. In any case, it seemed surreal—like Alice’s encounter with the Cheshire Cat. I skeptically scanned the crowd and to my amazement, found my version of “The White Rabbit” standing less than 20 feet away, talking to some fellow passengers. This trip was becoming “curiouser and curiouser!” Perhaps I was in Wonderland?

“Are you the tall woman in the white sweater that’s considering driving to Houston tonight?” Relieved that she didn’t break out into a chorus of, “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date!” I introduced myself and explained my situation. After a brief moment of contemplation, she answered, “Why not, yes, let’s do it!” Gigi Woodruff, a YMCA executive, rented a car and selflessly agreed to go out of her way to deliver a nurse, a sales manager and me to our respective destinations near her hometown.

Two hours into our journey, Anne called to inform us that our flight to Houston had been canceled until morning… which is when I had to deliver my keynote on “Turning Problems Into Solutions.” Thanks to Gigi, the Good Samaritan in the white sweater, that’s exactly what happened!

I checked into the hotel and called Debbie Norman, the event manager. Even though it was late, Debbie did a convincing job of sounding awake and positive… “Great, Michael, I’m so glad you made it… I’ll meet you in the lobby at 9 AM.” No doubt, she had alternative plans in place if I hadn’t. Professional event managers are masters at turning problems into solutions.

Life is a journey—and when our plans don’t align with reality (as they often don’t), we can either see it as a problem, or an opportunity. The choice is ours. When we remain open-minded and focus on possibilities, we can turn “perceived” problems into “real” solutions. No doubt, my trip to Houston tested this axiom… and I’m pleased to say, it passed with flying colors.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The following morning, Dr. Carla O’Dell introduced me and then shared the events leading up to my arrival. In doing so, she reinforced that the theme of my speech was more than an extraordinary claim. The audience was wonderful and my message seemed to resonate with them on many levels. Gigi was able to attend the event, too. At the end of my speech I introduced her… and she received a standing ovation.

It’s true: The world we focus on is the world we create. Thank you Anne, Carla, Debbie, and Gigi for “Turning Problems Into Solutions” and making this world a better place in the process.

Afterwards, during a Q&A session, a young man remarked, “Your presentation was awesome, but how do you go about seeing unseen solutions?” What a great question! In a nutshell, here’s my answer:

Seeing “unseen solutions” starts by believing they exist. This is fundamental. Without this belief and a willingness to suspend our judgment and remain open to new possibilities, unseen solutions remain just that–unseen.

Secondly, when one appears, we need to accept it. That’s right… unseen solutions try to get our attention on a regular basis, but we’re too busy working and living to notice. Because most potential solutions dwell on the edge of our perception, we usually overlook, ignore, or dismiss them. Occasionally, a potential solution is so persistent; we can’t help but catch a glimpse of it. When this happens, we briefly acknowledge it, believing we’ll remember it. But when we try recalling it, we discover it’s gone… or parts are missing.

While some solutions appear all at once, most come in small flashes that strike us when we least expect it… when we’re reading, taking a shower, on a walk, exercising or daydreaming. These flashes are fleeting gifts! We all receive them, but few take them seriously. To quote my late grandfather, “When God whispers in your ear, pay attention.”

Most people acknowledge that writing down your goals significantly increases your chances of making them real. The same idea holds true for exposing unseen solutions. My notebooks are filled with random ideas, sketches, quotes, notes, news clippings and photos… mostly fragments of unseen solutions. Capturing these fragments is like planting seeds. In many cases, I’m uncertain what they mean or if they’ll grow into solutions when they first enter my notebook.

Beethoven carried a notebook at all times. After filling the pages he’d put it away and start a new one. Within a month or so, he’d revisit the earlier notebook. If an idea struck him as he culled through the pages, he’d transfer it to a second notebook and the process continued. By the time his ideas reached the third notebook, they were well on the way to becoming a sonata. Imagine if he had ignored those initial flashes. While not all seeds take root… if we plant enough, we increase our odds of success. In Beethoven’s case, the seeds he planted have been bearing fruit for generations.

In addition to Beethoven, consider Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Madame Curie, Thomas Jefferson, Amelia Earhart, Thomas Edison, Emily Dickinson, Albert Einstein… you get the idea. These historic individuals, who exposed unseen solutions and created new realities, all shared a common practice. They carried notebooks and captured the fleeting gifts they were given. I often wonder if notebooks are a product of brilliant people… or if brilliant people are a product of notebooks.

In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig writes, “It is a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, ‘Go away, I’m looking for the truth,’ and so it goes away.”

If you’re not already doing so, I encourage you to start answering the door before more gifts go away. Get a notebook or a journal and write down your ideas, observations and insights when they appear. In addition to seeing unseen solutions, you’ll discover this practice is therapeutic. It brings clarity and makes room for more possibilities.

Back in the day we used to have a garden. While it takes time, gardening is a viable solution to the current alternatives. And what isn’t eaten during the growing season can be shared, canned and frozen. As I drove, I envisioned my family working with me… everyone pitching in and reaping a bounty of fresh produce. I imagined sharing with my neighbors and… then reality struck! I live in downtown Chicago, and there’s not a lot of arable land on the 28^th floor!

Soon I found myself in the suburbs, driving down a residential street. An elderly couple stood in their yard talking to a couple guys in uniforms… and then I spotted the lawn chemical truck in the driveway.

I remembered spending money on lawn chemicals when we lived in the suburbs. Why do people spend time and money growing, cutting and maintaining grass? Who came up with this idea? Is it social conditioning, tradition… perceptual blindness? My questions triggered a rush of ideas and visions… I had a flashback to my time spent in Germany. The cemeteries I had visited there were so beautiful and the locals took such pride in creating and maintaining them. I began to envision suburban neighborhoods filled with beautiful gardens… like a Monet painting composed of fruit trees, herbs and vegetables. Visions of crop circles, corn mazes and rows of fruit trees, and beautifully designed vegetable patterns of all shapes, colors and kinds raced through my head. My brain was crystallizing with interconnected concepts and possibilities. The benefits of replacing worthless grass lawns with beautiful functioning gardens seemed endless…

Fresh healthy food right from your own yard… unemployed and retired citizens would stay active, eat healthier and reduce food costs… neighbors would reconnect and establish a new sense of purpose and community… home real estate investments would provide additional returns… physical exercise would help to reduce heart disease, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, and by extension, reduce medical costs… creativity and learning would improve through exploration of gardening methods (collecting, bartering, developing, selling and exchanging seeds/products, recipes, ideas, labor and expertise with one another)… kids would experience nature, learn about healthy food, responsibility, community, and have fun getting their hands dirty in the process… new jobs would be created for landscape designers, tool and equipment manufacturers, entrepreneurs interested in packaging, storing, canning, making deliveries, and creating healthy products from fresh produce… the possibilities are endless… and the physical, psychological and spiritual benefits are too numerous to list.

I reached my destination and parked the car but my mind continued racing with possibilities. Could this idea really work? Thomas Jefferson believed that an agrarian national economy with many small independent farmers would ensure America’s freedom. My idea goes a step further—a nation of independent gardeners! I don’t know if this concept could work… but I do know the current solution isn’t the answer.

I’m sharing my thoughts not as a solution, but as seeds of potential. We never know if our ideas will take root until we plant them. Perhaps this idea could start in one or two neighborhoods… find some success and spread. That’s how these things typically work.

To quote Margaret Mead, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world.  In fact, it is the only way it ever has.”

As for me, I’m exploring the vacant lot across the street (currently labeled a problem), and a potential rooftop garden for our building. The possibilities are endless… the world we focus on is the world we create. I hope you will share your thoughts and ideas… and point out the pieces I missed on my drive.

You made me cry, she said, but quickly added, tears of joy.

During my speech I had explained how our focus creates our reality. If we focus on trouble, we’ll find it. If we focus on happiness, it will appear. I also shared how labels influence our perception. When we label something a problem, it becomes one… and we stop seeing it as anything else.

My speech ended with a story about a kid who quit school in 2nd grade. He didn’t actually quit attending—he just stopped participating. He was smart—but didn’t do well in school. Based on his free spirit, unusual views, pointed questions, and disdain toward academics, some teachers and adults labeled him as a “problem.” This label stuck and became a self-fulfilling prophecy up until the end of high school. Then an unexpected event took place—one that would forever change his life. To the amazement of many, the “problem” kid not only attended college, but was accepted into a competitive program and graduated first in his class. From there, the boy who quit school in 2nd grade founded and built a multi-million dollar visual communications firm, became an internationally recognized designer, and attracted a client roster that read like the Who’s Who of Business. After twenty consecutive years of growth, he sold his firm and became a best-selling author, creative consultant and public speaker… and I’m honored to be speaking to you tonight, I concluded.

What unexpected event changed my life?

I will let you know in a future post… it involves someone seeing past the “problem” label I’d been given. But for now, back to Carol.

As we stood in the corridor, Carol shared with me how her adult son had made some wrong turns and lost his way. Problems have become his focus… and mine, too, she admitted, glancing downward. He has so many gifts–so much to offer the world. It’s true… labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies, she continued, but only if we let them!

We talked for a few more minutes. Then realizing I was in jeopardy of missing my flight, I thanked her for sharing her story with me and wished her and her son the best.

No, thank you for removing my blinders. People who can look past labels and see unseen solutions are very special. Then she smiled and added, But you already know that… it’s the reason you’re here tonight.

Indeed I do.

Click here to view the embedded video.

When we look past accepted labels, suspend our judgment, and tap into our creativity… a real world of possibilities emerges. Consider the “Pink Bat” elevator example… and to think it was also considered a problem! Are you surrounded by “problems”… or are they unseen solutions, just waiting for you to see them? The world we focus on is the world we create. Have fun turning problems into solutions.