There is a myth that states that people only use about 10% of their mental resources. That idea has fueled many science fiction books and movies. I’m reminded of an old episode of the Outer Limits where David McCallum was the subject of an experiment. In the episode human evolution was sped up. He developed enhanced mental abilities. We all knew that because his head grew larger to accommodate the increased brain mass.
Even though the myth about brain usage persists, I think that many of us do have a piece of us that is woefully underutilized. And, I think that this deficiency is a tragedy.
Human Potential.
Yep. Simple.
Let me share a little of what I mean using myself as an example. Note: I’m not saying that everyone falls into this. But, it certainly is common.
I am what some folks would call a “Creative.” I guess that means that I have an artistic side that hangs over my belt, or something. One person I knew would refer to those like me as ‘sensitive musicians.’ He used that as a pejorative. In fact, people who aren’t artists or musicians or writers or whatever do tend to hold us up to some degree of ridicule. (Actually, I think they fear us. But, that’s another story.)
Believe me, we are acutely aware of the criticisms aimed at us. For some reason we are especially susceptible to these critiques.
So, many times when presented with the option of living inside of our imaginations where we build worlds and launch symphonies or keeping some sort of peace with normal people, we simply acquiesce and do nothing.
Lost potential.
There are other times when our minds are so full that our heads and hearts feel like they’re going to explode. But, so many times we’re just not allowed to open the tap and let the pressure out. Eventually, the effects of stuffing our creativity turns us into mannequins. We’re not much good for anything except gathering dust and hanging clothes on.
Again, potential…Poof!
In my case, I get to come home every night and plop my skinny butt into a chair and watch television. Now, that doesn’t sound like a terrible thing, right? I work all day and some think that it’s a nice thing to get home and chillax. You know, unwind after a long day and all of that stuff.
The problem is that I really hate the television. It can pretty much turn into a mind-numbing activity that I’m pretty sure was invented by aliens to lull us into a comfortable stupor so that they could show up and take over the world.
But, I take part in this daily exercise in futility for one reason. To keep the peace.
Like so many other creatives, we don’t do well with conflict. I avoid it like the plague.
But, at what cost?
Well, there’s the obvious cost of my own piece of mind and happiness.
There may be a larger cost that no one ever really considers.
The loss to societies and cultures.
What do you think the world would look like if Michelangelo had given into critics?
“Sorry, Pope Julius, it’s not a good time for me. Too many demands on my time. After all, I have to watch the water in the river flow past. Nothing better than that.”
What would I do if given the chance?
Write? Make music? Think? All of these?
No, these things don’t look like they would produce a lot.
Is the loss of these things worth the cost of keeping the peace?
I don’t know.
I guess we’ll never know.
I have to watch the news now.
Lost potential.
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