I aim to be a Philosopher Builder; creating experiences to help us live truly and happily:
That are playful, open, curious, connected.
That nourish us and those we share this life with.
That build our mental wealth.
That are as concerned with the process and the experience as the outcome.
That are experimental, knowing that there is always something to be learned.
That are beautiful.
That optimise for fun!
That create the conditions for joy and love and laughter.
Last year I sought to clarify for myself what I'm putting out into the world, the above is what I created. Reflecting back on the work over the past 18 months. I have touched towards this, but I am definitely still journeying, enjoying the process, with the output not yet where I would like it to be. Building CoCreated is an explicit step in delivering on this statement.
I tend towards not saying enough, leaving things ambiguous, so I have pushed myself to say more and clarify on each point.
I aim to be a Philosopher Builder; creating experiences to help us live truly and happily:
I live my life as a practical philosopher. For me philosphy isn't abstracted in an ivory tower - Wisdom is the knowledge that enables us to live truly and happily. And I aim to be and build in the world to do that.
That are playful, open, curious, connected.
Open, curious and playful are the core behaviours that we developed over years of practice working with people living with dementia, and they are principles that I hold on to in my relationships with others. For me they are the core of connection.
That nourish us and those we share this life with.
I want to build experiences that help us live well, that feed us, support us to grow, and maintain us in good condition. For me the creative act is a big part of what I find nourishing, and over the years I've seen it released in many many others.
That build our mental wealth.
I am fascinated by the field of positive psychology and the study of what enables us to flourish. I aspire to make work that leverages the evidence base to help us build our mental health assets.
That are as concerned with the process and the experience as the outcome.
As many have said before it is the journey and not the destination. I intend to live each day well, of course with an eye to the future and what we are working to achieve, but not to the detriment of the present.
That are experimental, knowing that there is always something to be learned.
Creativity is learning, learning is creativity. Experimenting is crucial to both. My working definition of creativity is anything that is new and useful (at least to the creator)
That are beautiful.
Beauty has truth at its core, it is harmonious. Though it is not always straightforward, and I believe there is beauty to be found in much that is ugly if you can look at it the right way.
That optimise for fun!
My decision making north star. I take fun seriously - what Cathrine Price calls True Fun - and the key components are connection, flow and playfulness. If I am unsure which choice to make I pick the one that will connect me to people, that will make time disappear, that is doing it for its own sake and not the outcome.
That create the conditions for joy and love and laughter.
This is the core of what I want from life.
