I tweaked a saying I've heard to work for me better:
When emotions are high, creativity is low.
I thought about this recently while filing my taxes, and remembered getting furious at having to pay Uncle Sam more on my $4000 income as a caregiver than Netflix paid ($0) on $845 million in profits in 2018.
You might call my fury justified, but it wasn't worth it:
a) it didn't change what Netflix was paying,
b) it weighed on my body and mind, and…
c) when emotions are high, creativity is low.
When creativity is low, so too is our capacity to make great things happen. To improve tax policy or anything, I'd need to collect myself to be effective.
Swapping “having" to with “getting" to can tamp down emotions.
There were years I didn't pay taxes because I didn't earn anything. To shift from feeling furious when my tax bill came due on my $4k, I mentally swapped “having” to pay taxes when some big dogs didn't with “getting” to pay them.
I was “getting” to pay taxes because I'd made some money.
Do you get to engage with your neighbors?
The state of my dwelling and well-being are TIGHTLY linked, and I once longed to GET to clean my house after having surgery.
Besides the fact that getting to clean my house meant that I had one—a gift in itself—it would have meant that I’d recovered to a good extent.
Joining and participating in one group—like a village comprised of neighbors—cuts our odds of dying next year in half.
In other words, our health and well-being can get a major boost from active relationships with the folks next door.
Do you get to engage with your neighbors?
Besides the fact that getting to means that you have the gift of a place to live, it also means that you have a certain level of physical and cognitive ability.
We expect to put consistent effort into exercising to improve our health and longevity. Improving the two by engaging in a group, like growing a village with neighbors, should be no different.
But just as new weight lifters start with dumbbells that aren't too heavy or light, there's no shame in new village growers picking tasks that aren't too taxing.
Or even “tasks” that are FUN!
Playing is one of the healthiest ways we can spend our time. When in doubt about what to do to grow a village, gather folks for some fun!
Whatever you love to do, chances are good that you're not the only one. Don't be shy to focus on your own enjoyment and invite others along for the ride!
P.S. I can't resist saying more about Netflix. Not only didn't it pay taxes on millions in profits in 2018, it reported a $22 million federal tax rebate. Other corporations dodge taxes too, but Netflix is the king of profiting on bingeing.
And bingeing is bad for America!!! To quote preeminent political scientist Robert Putnam (of “Bowling Alone” fame), …
“Entertainment television is lethal to social connection. The more entertainment television you watch, the less civically engaged you are.”
#LessBingeing #MoreCreating #MorePlaying
