The words generativity and generative have been spontaneously coming forth in me for several months. I recall a distinct moment in which I was reviewing social media and becoming disheartened. The articles were sucking the wind out of me. I felt like lead dragging through the mud. I made a commitment to offer generative comments, articles, insights and sharing when I posted in social media. That commitment expanded to an intention to be generative in life. Period.
Because I used the word in writing, and spell check did not like it, I thought WOW I made up a fused word; this is a great word; it should be a word! – a portmanteau of Generous and Activity. Generous activity = generativity. Turns out the well-known psychologist, Erik Erikson, used this term in his work and it means “a concern for people besides self and family that usually develops during middle age; especially: a need to nurture and guide younger people and contribute to the next generation”.
Yes. This says so much. This says it all.
Yet more than being generative, what you generate matters. Not all activities generate a positive influence in the world so just being generative – originating, producing or reproducing – is not the point. Many of us are generative and cause harm. Clear intentions illuminate what is important and prime us be generative with life-giving effects.
Generativity, in my way of seeing it, brings forth a manifestation of generosity, igniting from embodied sufficiency. Yes, if you are following Somatic Finance® you are learning about the importance of embodied sufficiency. When abiding in the immaculate pristine elegant spacious stillness of Sufficiency, generativity naturally and spontaneously arises as an outpouring.
Sufficiency practice doesn’t go away even when we access generativity. Generativity emerges when sufficiency becomes home base. We practice sufficiency in order to be able to access and abide in that place of OK-ness.
Only from a place of sufficiency,
a visceral felt sense and pure knowing that “I am OK,”
can we experience our optimal meaningful life.
Have you been practicing?
That question is intended as a generous challenge, pointing to the heart of Somatic Finance.
Nothing is going to shift in your health, wealth and life vitality unless you practice. Abiding in the Virtuous Flow of Somatic Finance is impossible without embodied Sufficiency. For those practicing, how is your life going? What are you noticing, sensing and experiencing when you are able to be present in Sufficiency?
I’ve noticed a number of changes. Here are a few. I feel happier. Clarity is more accessible. Thinking – a lot – about “things” has decreased. My body hums a brighter tune. (I’m not sure what this means exactly it’s a shimmering cool sensation that permeates throughout my interior.) My relationships ripple with genuine connections that feel … generative. The events of our world, while seemingly dire, are held in a space of care, concern and courage. I am not reacting from fear but seeing the potentials and responding from a generous perspective.
For those not practicing, how is your life going? The prompt is not meant to shame, intimidate, compare, or blame you; it is an opportunity to face and accept what is. Make a choice and commit. Simple. There are plenty of times I have not practiced and I still miss practices that are vital for my well-being. My body reminds me of the importance and I re-commit to my health, generativity, relationships and love.
When I do not practice, I see through a lens of what’s wrong and become a fix-it machine. In fact, everything seems wrong. My relationships struggle because I hear and interact with a filter of being criticized and not doing enough. Fear streams in my body and constricts me. My inspirations turn into reactive impulses from my primitive brain. In situations of prolonged practice avoidance, my body hurts and my immune system weakens and I get physically sick.
Make a choice toward your well-being, or not. Well-being magnifies from embodied Sufficiency. If you need a jump start, commit to practicing this month’s 5- Minute Try-It! Recognize that you are choosing. And remember:
Embodying Sufficiency as a state of being transforms money confusion and fear
into clarity, well-being, and generosity.
Activating generativity,
