I recently watched the movie “Tomorrowland” and received my badge of being a dreamer. I thought of sharing the badge with you.
I stumbled upon an interesting finding on the word “Transformation”. It is one word which probably every discipline continues to study. Here are a few examples
Biology = Metamorphosis
Algebra = Linear transformation
Physics = Phase transformation
Statistics = Data transformation
Computing = Model transformation
The English dictionary defines it as “a marked change in form, nature or appearance. Further, it expands on this to share more about how the meaning changes based on the subject. For example,
in mathematics, it talks about a function that changes the position or direction of the axes of a coordinate system”,
while genetics defines it as a modification of a cell or bacterium by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA”
One common feature across all these is the “change” that transformation leads to.
In organizations and in our own lives, this change is triggered by a mix of events, which propels us in the direction of change. The question then is,
Are we actively creating this design or are we acting on the design?’
Let me illustrate this with an example. Any one having had a life threatening illness has harboured thoughts of post recovery, the changes I will make to my life. These changes can take the form of conscious eating, change in pace of living and the list goes on.
Let me share 3 metaphors to share my badge of being a #dreamer.
Metaphor #1
Transformation is the letting the seed die to give birth to a “new creation”. The “seed” can be assigned various meanings metaphorically. Here are a few examples,
The seed can represent the way I live my life
The seed can represent the way I lead my organization
The seed can represent the way I deal with my relationships
The seed can represent the way I deal with change
The seed can represent the way I adapt to the environment
The seed is a metaphor which we can use in different settings to elevate us to a new thinking leading to change. What is more important to ask is “In order for the seed to give birth to the fruit within, how do I/we create the enablers in the eco-system to deliver the fruits of labour?”
Metaphor #2
Each of us lead a life wanting to make the world a better place. The “world” again is a metaphor for
You and your world,
Me and my world,
The society you and me are a part of,
The organization you and me belong to,
The community you and me work in,
The family you and me belong to.
How do we then harness into this collective consciousness of “making change happen” to make the “world” a better place?
Metaphor #3
To conclude, I want to use the most powerful metaphor I resonate with
The entire universe when viewed under our microscope of “awareness” is an organization which is layered and layered, yet each piece of it is interconnected from the minutest of bacteria to the largest planet discovered and yet to be discovered, to the galaxy we are part of and to those we are yet to become aware of.
How can you and me then use our understanding of “transformation” and create a better world for the entire ecosystem we are part of?
The child in us knows this eternal truth and tugs at our adult self to recognise these dreams within.
– #SJ