Discovering Life’s Wisdom – 4 Key Takeaways on Being Human
If you’re reading this, you’ll relate. You know what it’s like to be human.
Being human has limitations and liberties. Complications and comforts. Strengths and weaknesses. Being human reaches into body, mind, and soul.
When I chose Human as my One Word for 2023, I didn’t know where it would take me. I started this year with a fear of more heartbreaks, of more disappointments, of more frustrations, from other humans. I was leery of trusting humanity, others as well as myself, after suffering a devastating loss.
But through my closer examination of Humans being human this year, I’ve seen that our humanity is not something to fear after all. It’s not something we should try to conquer and rise above. There is no living outside it. It’s impossible to shut it down or close it off.
Quite the opposite.
Instead, being human is something to cherish. Sink deeper into it. Inside our humanity is where beauty resides. That’s where strength lives.
As humans we hold each other’s hands to clear a path together, announcing that we each belong here. We bear witness to our individual and communal journeys. We see and are seen, hear and are heard, love and are loved.
And yes, we also hurt others and are hurt by others. We are incredibly fragile. But we’re also incredibly resilient. We coexist with both suffering and joy.
Being human is a miracle.
4 Key Takeaways on Being Human
Here are 4 key takeaways I learned this year about being human. What would you add?
1. YOU’VE GOT TO USE YOUR HUMAN BODY.
Humans have bodies for a reason. Intentionally use yours to its fullest potential.
» Take in the sights, sounds, smalls, tastes, and textures around you to connect your humanity more deeply to the world (Life in Senses can give you ideas). More here.
» Make the effort to show up in the flesh. Certain adventures can only be experienced with your whole body (like this Taylor Swift concert). More here.
» When possible, get in the same room with other humans. You’ll connect more naturally with other humans in person instead of only through screens (use Zoom, too, but not exclusively). More here.
» Technology is a helpful tool, but start conversations using your actual voice, too (bots aren’t always enough). More here.
2. PLEASE PRACTICE HUMAN KINDNESS.
Humans both help and hurt each other. Find ways to do more helping and less hurting.
» When others need help, be a helper. When you need help, find the helpers (like the blue signs on the interstate). More here.
» You really can’t read minds, no matter how intuitive you think you are. Seek clearer communication (it’s what I had to do on the beach). More here.
» Use these 3 Cs to help more and hurt less. Get Closer, stay in Conversation, and show Compassion (you can even practice with non-humans). More here.
» Humans need the presence of other humans when they hurt. Your presence is more valuable than your guarantees (I couldn’t bring back her grandson but I could cry with her). More here.
3. LEARN YOUR LESSONS FROM HUMAN FAILURES.
Humans come with imperfections. Be human enough to celebrate and forgive yourself for being human.
» Be human enough to be humble. Humility makes you more accessible to other humans (notice how pride does the opposite). More here.
» Don’t be prideful when things go right, or ashamed when things go wrong (I was flying through the Sudoku puzzle too easily). More here.
» Everybody fails at something. Learn to fail better. The benefits are numerous (read quotes from Right Kind of Wrong). More here.
» Vulnerability hangovers are uncomfortable. But take the risk; be vulnerable anyway (did I say too much in that post?). More here.
4. HARD OR EASY, EMBRACE THAT HUMANS CHANGE.
Humans aren’t statues. Humans change as life flows around and through them. Recognize—don’t resist—your fluidity.
» Time will change you. You won’t be the same person tomorrow that you are today (even as I grieve the people I can’t be with right now). More here.
» Temporary things are still valuable. Invest your humanity in impermanent things, too (like a flower mandala that will be swept away). More here.
» Recognize what choices are yours to make and what choices belong to others (even when you want to rebel against the lunch lady). More here.
» Ultimately, it’s people that matter the most in your life. Prioritize humans (ask yourself this one question). More here.
Being human is complicated. It’s not about living perfect. It’s about living whole.
I’m grateful for the lessons I learned this year from other humans—each one different from me and yet each one the same—as well as from my own human experiences. Even though Human won’t be my official One Word next year, it will always be my reality. Yours, too.
I witness your humanity. You witness mine. It changes us both.
Isn’t that amazing?
What have you learned from being human in 2023? Has another human taught you something? Share your thoughts in the comments.
See more posts on Human 2023 here.
If you’re interested in joining our One Word community for 2024, with tips and suggestions for practicing your One Word.
You can also join our One Word Facebook group.
If you’d like ideas for choosing your own One Word for next year, read these 7 tips to help pick the right word for you.
Humans…there’s no getting around it…we are interesting creatures. I enjoyed reading your article, Lisa…especially these words, “When possible, get in the same room with other humans. You’ll connect more naturally with other humans in person instead of only through screens (use Zoom, too, but not exclusively).” Screens are nice and very good when it comes to being able to be connected to those at a distance from us (I’m thinking of our kids who live away from us), but there’s nothing like being in a room with actual people, conversing and doing life together.
We’re on the same page, Dianna. I am very, very grateful for our online options. You and I wouldn’t know each other otherwise! But I would so love to sit around a table with you and share a Krispy Kreme donut. Jeff and I are both getting over covid, so I’ve been totally reliant on technology to stay in touch with the outside world and it’s been a lifesaver. But in a few days, I also look forward to some real face time with people, not just Facetime. 🙂
Oh Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear that you and Jeff have been dealing with Covid. We had it a year ago October. I’m glad you are doing better and not having any lingering after effects.
Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear that you and Jeff have had to deal with Covid. Carroll and I had it a year ago in October. I pray that you don’t have any lingering after effects from it.
Such a great wrap-up to your experience with your word, Lisa. Mine was rather a washout for me, but there’s always next year! Let’s not worry about living perfect, but living whole.
Blessings!
Some words in some years haven’t worked out much for me either, Martha. It happens. But yes, there’s always next year! Thanks for being one of the kind humans in this world.
My Enneagram 4w5 so appreciates seeing your Enneagram 5 express itself in writings such as this. Hooray for deep dives, learning, knowledge and then for sharing. Thank you.
Oh, your words did my heart so good, Carla. This Enneagram 5 feels so seen! I waver between thinking I’m a 5w4 or a 5w6. It depends on the day. 🙂
These are very wise takeaways, Lisa.
And such a great reminder for our current times!
Thanks, Donna. I feel like going through the pandemic the past few years changed everybody a little, and it’s good for us to notice if it was a good or bad change and tweak accordingly.
This is a beautiful, powerful post, Lisa. Such good advice. We can all be humans in different ways, but acknowledging these human needs and making sure they’re taken care of is absolutely vital. Pinning this post to save and share. I’m visiting from Tell it To Me Tuesday.
I love this, Lisa. You have gleaned so much from your word this year and written about it so faithfully. I wish I could say the same about the latter, but I do hope to write a wrap-up about “Remember” soon. Hugs, friend.
These are some really wonderful lessons! I would never have thought of using “human” as my WOTY but what a great one it turned out to be.
We’re very big on noticing all the downsides to humanity in Christ’s incarnation, and certainly taking on a body limited him in some pretty big ways. And yet we are image bearers and we have been dignified by Christ’s joining us in our mortal clay.
That is a beautiful celebration of humanity, dear Lisa! And your four key takeaways certainly cover the territory: our embodiment, the centrality of ethics, we are fallible, and we can grow. Redemption and forgiveness are central to humanity.
I’ve had a few (minor) medical adventures this year, putting me in the power of others’ care — experiencing embodiment right there! AIso, learning how to be cared for, and how good they can be.
One of your readers has taught me how to celebrate Advent! I am reading and very much enjoying Malcolm Guite’s poetry collection “Waiting on the Word”.
You have learned some deep, wise lessons about your word this year, Lisa. Thanks so much for faithfully sharing them with us! Love and blessings of strength and peace in the midst of our humanness!
This is such an informative post, Lisa. I have been choosing a word of the year for two years now. I didn’t know there was a community. It looks like you have written a lot of posts about your word and have been very involved in that community. I was so impressed when Deb from Deb’s World was motivated by her word, Bold, to write a story for my blogging program, Story Chat. That was my initial contact with the concept, and I’ve been doing it since then.
wow love how you summarized your word and shared it wisdom with us. What a powerful word this has been for you this year. amazing is right.
Lisa, These are four wise takeaways. I particularly like #2. Thank you for your #weekendcoffeeshare.
Very interesting read about the use of your word. I like “It’s about living whole”.
This is such an interesting post, I really enjoyed reading it. Your statement “Humans need the presence of other humans when they hurt. Your presence is more valuable than your guarantees” really resonates with me. This is something I feel so strongly about. I have never been great with words when people are hurting, but I am great at making them laugh, being present, sitting next to them in silence just to be there. I don’t want someone to talk to me or tell me it will be okay, I want someone to just be there and show up. Thank you for joining Tell It To Me Tuesday, I hope to see you again this week.
Being human is what allows me to be a child of God.
I think you’ve done it beautifully with your One Word ‘human.’ In Dutch: Petje af (hats off)! Is creativity one of your core values?”
Thanks, Aritha! I don’t think I would consciously consider creativity one of my core values, but I do greatly value it, if that makes sense. lol.