I read and heard about innovation several times over the the past few days. I was professionally developed yesterday and it came up again. The person indicated innovation is half-formed ideas bumping up against each other as we share them. I wondered about that, because it suggests we work together, collaborate, and recognize the interdependent nature of humans and the world they live in together. I rarely see this and I doubt a bureaucratic mindset is one that embraces those features of innovation. I read recently, and I apologize about a lack of reference, that it is not enough to show up. We need to do something when we get there. David Whyte summarized this beautifully in the following poem.
We shape our self
to fit this world
to fit this world
and by the world
are shaped again.
are shaped again.
The visible
and the invisible
and the invisible
working together
in common cause,
in common cause,
to produce
the miraculous.
the miraculous.
I am thinking of the way
the intangible air
the intangible air
passed at speed
round a shaped wing
round a shaped wing
easily
holds our weight.
holds our weight.
So may we, in this life
trust
trust
to those elements
we have yet to see
we have yet to see
or imagine,
and look for the true
and look for the true
shape of our own self
by forming it well
by forming it well
to the great
intangibles about us.
intangibles about us.
Teacher as Transformer 
Ivon – Je me excuse – I have been on vacation and have been deleting emails for 2 days upon my return. Wonderful post. I have missed so many. I believe it is my biggest concern and perhaps fear… That I miss something!!
I know the feeling. Welcome back.
We’re like water. Affecting, and also accumulating. 🙂
Great comparison; thank you.
I like the concept and the poem! Thank you, Ivon.
Russ
You are welcome Russ.
Amazing insights!
Thank you Aina.
and look for the true
shape of our own self
by forming it well
to the great
intangibles about us.
I think these words are absolutely magnificent. “The great intangibles around us” just wonderful Ivon. Thank you.
The things we cannot touch or explain are the most important. I cannot explain love, but I know it. It is i my life in many ways.
Interesting Ivon – the imperative to ‘show up’ that to my knowledge never includes the reality that once there, you have to do something. Engage. Be a part. Share. For if one doesn’t, are they really showing up at all?
What a great question Mimi. You are probably onto something in that. There in body, but not there in spirit is the adage. After some thinking, I realized the line came from Seth Godin’s blog.
I would like to sit together with you, and others, to exchange ideas ….
I would enjoy that. Can it be done digitally?
there is skype chat – voice and if necessary webcam …
I have access to Skype.
You can use my email address from the comment section to find a common window in time.
WED 6 i’d be available between 8am and 11am GMT orTUE 5 evening between 23 and 24GMT
What time zone do you live in? I am Mountain Standard in Alberta. I want to try to synch up time zones. I looked on your blog, but did not see a reference to where you lived.
I live in Brussels GMT+1 makes 7 or 8 hours of difference. I see the sun before you.
You do. Let me sort out times and get back to you. It might be one of those things we can do on a weekend.
there is plenty of time …
ok
Innovation is difficult, whether in a public bureauchracy or in a private company because it requires a high level of trust and a high tolerance of ambiguity/change – going with the flow. We tend to want to be secure and are more comfortable with the familiar – innovation could lead to new developments that we can not foresee or control.
You are so right. There is a fear of the unknown and we feel vulnerable in those moments. The trust aspect is so important.
Innovation is one of the many faces of creativity, and a beautiful one at that. It is different in the hands of every person… and sometimes the ideas bounce off one another, sometimes they collide, and sometimes the dance… like the poem too.