Juicing the void

There is a space, an unpleasant space into which increasing numbers of our fellow humans are falling. New existential challenges are sucking unsuspecting folk into the void of fear, anxiety, stagnation and ultimately, death. These folk include the retirees who suddenly come to the realization that they’ll be around for another twenty five years or so and somehow have lost meaning, purpose and structure in their lives. Add to these the increasing numbers of souls that have been laid-off due to the introduction of AI and other challenges together with those that no longer see meaning, purpose nor experience personal gratification in their current jobs and behold, we are witnessing an existential crisis of tidal wave proportions.

In looking for solutions to the current global challenges, we need to clarify the formula of life as we currently understand it, at the outset. There is sufficient evidence in the neuroscience literature (coupled with psychoneuro-immunology - PNI) that the cornerstone of enhanced wellness, performance and leadership is sustained meaning and purpose.

Center stage therefore is meaning and purpose:

                                                                 Meaning & Purpose

                   Flowing from  Meaning & Purpose  are  Reward  and  Achievement  respectively:

                                                                 Meaning & Purpose

                                            Reward                                                 Achievement

These core elements collectively serve to enhance Self-esteem, the source of the energy required for driving the process and making meaning and purpose a reality. The final product of this dynamic is Gratification, which like a good golf shot, drives further engagement and the whole process.

                                                                  Meaning & Purpose +

                                            Reward                          +                       Achievement

                                                                       = Gratification

It is a personal feeling of gratification that secures the chemistry underpinning wellness and optimal performance. It is also the chemistry which promotes longevity. 

There is one further core element which is fundamental to enhancing gratification. This is Value Contribution – making something better than it was before engaging with it! It is value contribution to self, to one’s personal environment and to the extended environment.

The mind state which parallels the successful implementation of this gratification-enhancing process is one of sensitivity to self and to the environment, curiosity and awe. From this flows heightened awareness. These elements are also the key attributes of effective leadership.

But in the promotion of longevity lies a cautionary: Attempts to increase longevity by any means independent of meaning, purpose and gratification are illogical for it serves only to fill our hospitals and retirement homes with stagnating, despairing and demented souls. For I believe that we have arrived at a point in our 'evolution' where we deny and/or fear death so much that we opt for a joyless existence instead. I would suggest that this mind state has permeated 'political correctness' as well as the expectations of patients and the behavior of doctors, to the point that there is no longer a connection with, or respect for our deepest beliefs, feelings and aspirations. Life is inflicted upon emasculated wretchedness!

And so I would turn to those that find themselves inexorably moving towards that unpalatable space with the following advice: Seek that which provides personal gratification. Draw inspiration from the purposeful busyness of the ‘doing’ - the reward, the achievement and the value contribution. Do not sell yourself short by being coerced into doing that which merely provides a material end, or longevity which is not driven by reward and gratification. For the juices of personal gratification which sustain purposeful busyness will inevitably bring secondary material success and indeed, appropriate longevity.

                                                               Copyright reserved – Ian Weinberg 2017

           The Five Core Elements form the foundation of the NeuroSurge application  www.neuronostic.com