Taking Notice ‘Nothing of me is original‘

Nothing of me is original – ‘ I am the combined efforts of everyone I have ever known’ – Chuck Palahniuk

Nothing of me is original – Sometimes the memory of something great outweighs the reality of how you see it now.

Ever remember that movie from your youth which you held in high esteem and then watched recently?

You want to honor the loyalty of the past but deep down you are cringing. ‘Gooniegate’ I call it, as a film-obsessed child of the 80s!

It’s not just films that have that effect, but our values and identity shift too as we develop and grow. Nothing of me is original it is a combination of what I have done, where I have been, and whom I am among.

When have you taken notice of who you are now?

Are you still reliving the memories of the past? 

‘The Fighting Temeraire’ is the iconic painting by JMW Turner which captures the last days of a great wooden battleship being brought to its demise by the new steam tug boat.

The painting symbolizes change through the advent of the industrial revolution, Steam over Sail! I love this painting as I too have treasured the memory of ‘ghost ships’ of my past, and at times never fully appreciated the journey of the now and where my steamboat was taking me.

Nothing of me is original – I didn’t take notice!

When have you held onto ego stories or past achievements from your personal and professional life, and didn’t take notice of where you were now and what’s your next move?

I still dig out commendations and accolades from yesteryear, not realizing that proud smile is an anchor that’s keeping me back in a career I moved on from. 

Taking notice of the now involves being aware of why we may want to seek out past praise.

Nothing of me is original

Are we truly happy in our current reality?

Are we mourning something great or needing to feel grounded in today?

Or could it be that we aren’t taking notice of the opportunities that lay before us or doubt our ability to achieve them? Is our compass set in the right direction or are we looking back at the port?

We are on a path of continuous growth and it’s OK to realise we have outgrown our past.

We aren’t forgetting it but placing it in the credits at the end of our movie.

If the anchor of our ship is firmly embedded, we won’t explore and gain from the experience and learnings from new opportunities and people. 

Do you have any ghost ships you are holding onto and are you fully taking notice of your now?

Pav Ponnoosami

Is an organizational development professional and self-confessed people pragmatist. To contact Pav or read more please visit his site at https://pavpo.com