Reclaiming Our Humanity: The Choice to Focus on Kindness and Beauty
Navigating the Balance Between Primal Instincts and Enlightened Potential for Courageous Leadership
In a world dominated by capitalism, our attention is often drawn to negativity, fueled by social and mainstream media. While most people are inherently good, our brains are wired to prioritize the negative as a survival mechanism. However, we can retrain our minds. By becoming aware of this bias and consciously focusing on positivity, we can begin to see the kindness and beauty around us. It's a simple choice that can profoundly improve how we perceive reality.
This choice requires a deeper exploration of our ancient history to fully understand why we think the way we do. Humans are biologically programmed with a negativity bias, a survival mechanism from our ancestors who had to focus on threats to stay alive. While this served us well in the past, it no longer reflects the true essence of who we are. Kindness and beauty are part of our origins; they are fundamental to human nature. By reconnecting with these deeper roots and understanding the programming of our minds, we can consciously choose to focus on the positive and reclaim the goodness that has always been within us.
It’s taken me nearly 15 years and a great deal of research to truly grasp what this is all about. Understanding how humans are programmed to focus on negativity, and how kindness and beauty are actually where we come from, wasn't immediately clear. Through this journey, I’ve come to realize that retraining our minds to focus on positivity requires more than just awareness—it involves digging into our ancient history to understand the roots of our mindset and reconnect with the deeper truth of our human nature.
There is a massive movement happening on Earth right now, and it starts to make sense when we look across various fields—science, philosophy, religion, and even biblical history. When we can balance these perspectives, a common thread of truth emerges. What's fascinating is that many concepts from ancient traditions and religious texts are now being scientifically proven. This convergence suggests that, despite their different languages, these disciplines point toward the same fundamental truths about the universe and our place within it.
Knowing this is important because it helps us connect the dots between ancient wisdom and modern understanding, offering a more complete picture of reality. When we recognize that science, philosophy, religion, and history each hold fragments of the same truth, it allows us to approach life with a broader perspective. This knowledge empowers us to make more informed choices, align ourselves with deeper principles, and find meaning in both the seen and unseen aspects of existence. It brings clarity to our purpose and fosters a sense of unity with the world, showing us that we're part of a larger, interconnected system.
Despite all our advancements, we remain animalistic at our core, with deep-rooted instincts that drive violence, hatred, and division. People still kill or harm others based on differences, like race or belief. This dark side reflects our ancient Neanderthal origins, where survival was often tied to aggression and dominance. We carry within us appetites for violence, excitement, and destruction.
Yet, alongside this primal nature, there are those among us who are profoundly brilliant and spiritually attuned. These individuals give us the great composers, poets, and thinkers—the true expressions of the greatness humanity is capable of. It’s this duality, the balance between our animalistic impulses and our capacity for divine inspiration, that defines us as humans. We are both primitive and enlightened, constantly navigating the tension between these forces. Understanding this balance is key to understanding who we are as a species.
The bottom line is that we are created by the gods.
Let me explain how I understand this and why it’s crucial in relation to courageous leadership—though I acknowledge that this perspective may not represent the absolute truth.
Throughout history, many cultures believed that human beings were formed by divine forces—whether gods, cosmic energies, or universal principles. The ancient peoples—such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Canaanites, Egyptians, and the ancient Greeks and Romans—held a profound understanding that humans are creations of higher entities. This notion suggests that we are imbued with both the raw, primal instincts of our ancient origins and the higher potential for brilliance, wisdom, and creativity. Understanding this duality is essential for courageous leadership.
In Genesis 1:1, it is written: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This translation, originating around 1500 and popularized by the King James Version, reflects a foundational belief in the divine creation of the universe. But in Hebrew, the phrase is more accurately rendered as “In the beginning of the creation, El Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” The term “Elohim” is a plural form, which can imply a divine plurality, or the Gods.
“Elohim” is often interpreted as “gods,” suggesting a broader concept of divine beings involved in creation rather than a singular deity. This nuance adds depth to our understanding of the text and highlights the complexity of ancient Hebrew thought regarding the divine.
In Genesis 1:26, we read, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.” The use of “us” and “our” raises profound questions about the nature of the divine. Who are these entities involved in the creation of humanity? The term “Elohim,” often translated as “God,” is actually plural, suggesting a council of divine beings. This plurality invites us to consider that we are created not just in the image of a singular deity but in the essence of a collective divine force.
Further, Genesis 3:22 states, “Man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil.” This phrase emphasizes a shared knowledge or experience among the divine beings and suggests that our understanding of morality and existence is deeply intertwined with this divine nature. Recognizing this collective aspect of our creation can significantly inform our approach to leadership. If we are reflections of a divine essence, it implies that each person embodies unique qualities and insights worthy of recognition. Leaders can harness this understanding to cultivate unity and collaboration, valuing diverse voices that contribute to the greater good.
Another critical interpretation arises in Genesis 1:2, often rendered as “And the earth was without form and void.” A more nuanced translation states, “And the earth became a waste and a desolation.” This suggests a transformation from a state of potentiality to one of ruin, emphasizing that the earth’s current condition is a result of disruption or decay. This resonates powerfully with the challenges we face today—environmental degradation, social unrest, and a pervasive sense of disconnection.
Recognizing this context compels us to reflect on our role in creation. If the earth has indeed become desolate, we must acknowledge our responsibility as stewards of this planet. Courageous leadership today requires us to not only inspire and guide but also to actively work toward renewal and restoration. It calls us to address the waste and desolation we encounter in our world and strive to create a more vibrant, life-affirming existence.
In Genesis 1:2, the terms "tohu vavohu" refer to the state of the earth as a "waste and desolation." This suggests a profound transformation that may have incurred the anger of the gods, highlighting the seriousness of this condition.
The narrative continues with the story of Noah and the great flood, where, after the deluge, God instructs Noah and his family to "go forth into the world, and multiply, and replenish the earth." The phrase "replenish the earth" carries significant meaning, especially when considering its original Hebrew context. The Hebrew term often used in this context implies a sense of renewal or restoration, essentially instructing them to "do it again"—to create life and cultivate the world once more.
This command reflects a divine desire for restoration and balance after the catastrophic events that led to desolation. It reinforces the idea that humanity is tasked with a critical role in the ongoing process of creation. In this light, the call to "replenish the earth" is not merely about populating it but rather emphasizes the responsibility to nurture, restore, and maintain the earth, ensuring that it thrives.
The following story serves to remind of our duty as stewards of the world, urging us to embrace our role in fostering life and harmony in the face of challenges. As we reflect on these ancient stories, they resonate with the need for courageous leadership and collective action in our contemporary context.
Conclusion
In a world increasingly influenced by negativity, understanding our historical programming can empower us to consciously shift our focus toward positivity, kindness, and beauty. This transition is not merely an individual endeavor; it requires a collective awareness of our dual nature—both primal and enlightened. As we reconnect with our ancient roots and the divine aspects of our existence, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of our purpose and interconnectedness.
Final Thoughts
In essence, courageous leadership requires a deep understanding of both our historical programming and our higher potential. By navigating the balance between our primal instincts and enlightened capabilities, leaders can create environments that foster growth, collaboration, and renewal. This approach not only addresses the challenges of our time but also reconnects us to the fundamental truths of our existence, encouraging a more compassionate and harmonious world.
LONG, Barry. The Origins of Man and the Universe.
England: Barry Long Books: 2001HEISER, Michael S. The Unseen Realm - Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. SD Books: 2019