We seem to have come to the conclusion, in the part of the world that I inhabit… that bigger is better. We crave importance… and we link importance to big things. Big Money. A big house. A big car. A big job / title. Big awards. A big following. Big likes. It’s all about big. There’s no doubt that at times I have bought into this misguided philosophy, and it’s influenced my thoughts and actions. But the last couple of days have been a stark reminder for me, that it is really (really) important and valuable to feel small.
I am writing this from a bus, traveling across the South Island of New Zealand. I have spent the last couple of days in some of the most epic and majestic landscapes imaginable – thick forests, raging rivers, giant glaciers and towering snow-capped mountains. There have been so many moments I have looked around and been literally speechless. In these immense environments I have felt totally engulfed by the magnitude, beauty and vast nature of the world we live in… and it’s made me realise just how small and insignificant I, and everything in my life really is.
I’m going to issue everyone reading this a challenge.
I want you to prioritise getting yourself outdoors. And when I say outdoors, I don’t mean your backyard or local park (don’t get me wrong, they are great) – I am talking about taking a journey into wilderness. Somewhere that makes you feel totally immersed in nature. Somewhere that you could get lost. It’s not just about breathing the clean air or tuning in to the intricate natural symphony happening around you – it’s about the clarity and scale of thinking, and the rich perspective that emanates from becoming small.
I have always really loved the people here in New Zealand – I would almost describe it as a spiritual connection. There is something very special about them… a sense of depth, humility and richness of character I sometimes feel is lacking at home. Today, I felt as if it finally clicked. Today, I learned the word ‘whenau’ in Te reo Maori has two meanings: ‘land’ and ‘the placenta’. This dual definition stems from the belief that we all come from the land, and eventually return to the land – and represents the sacred connection Maori people have to the land and the sea.
I believe that coming from, and being spiritually intertwined with, such vast and epic landscapes has enabled the people here to develop such a unique and profound perspective to their place on this earth. They speak more softly, tread more lightly, take a bit less and share a bit more because of it. They recognise that their world is more than just them – and it is the role they play in creating balance and harmony that is so important. It’s probably why New Zealand punches above it’s weight in so many arenas, and why so many innovative ideas and creations have come from this country. Every time I have stopped and looked around over the last couple of days I have felt small, insignificant and somewhat powerless in respect to my surroundings. It has been strangely liberating and inspiring.
To some, the idea of insignificance may be a little challenging…. the idea that in the scheme of things our individual actions don’t actually mean a great deal. But I firmly believe it. It should not discourage us from doing great things but instead remind us that the world we live in is so much more than just us – and that understanding this is the key to having serious impact.
So what’s the value in feeling small?
When we feel small so do our problems and grievances. When we make ourselves the centre of our own universe, everything in our life seems big and overwhelming. When we zoom out and examine the wider surrounds, we see things from a different perspective… which often dials down the pressure and anxiety a little bit. Everyone is going through stuff… it’s just life.
It reminds us that our greatest power comes as a collective. Recognising that acting alone may hold little significance reminds us of the value of connection and the immense impact we create when sharing our talent, energy and love with others. I firmly believe humanity is at its most powerful when united towards common vision.
It makes us more grateful and appreciative of other small things. When we allow ourselves to become small, we tend to notice other small things more. When we find joy in small things, happiness (and life) becomes simpler.
The scale of our surrounds dictates the scale of our thinking. When we make ourselves big we limit our capacity to grow. By being small we become inspired by the magnitude of the things around us. It challenges us to dream bigger and forces us to be more creative and resourceful.
It reminds us that we are the narrator of our own story. We decide the significance we place on things. When everything becomes ‘insignificant’ we grant ourselves the greatest freedom – an understanding that we ultimately decide the meaning of everything that happens to us. We are the narrator of our own existence. We can ultimately choose whether ‘things’ that happen affect us in a positive or negative way. We dictate how we feel.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t allow ourselves to feel big every now and then. It’s nice to puff our chest out and recognise the significance of who we are and what we do. I’ve spent most of my adult life being ‘important’. The guy on stage… the CEO… the guy on top of a mountain. I am really proud of all of those things and I’ve valued the recognition that has come with them. Ultimately though no matter how big I believe I may have become, the last 48 hours has reminded me that I am tiny… and in the scheme of this incredible vast, beautiful and extraordinary world we live in… always will be. And that’s exciting.
So much to learn. So much to discover. So much to experience. So little to worry about.
Get outdoors. Play with it.