Neoteny is Latin for “holding childhood”. It speaks to the innate capacity we all have as adults to retain childlike characteristics as we age. In this season of giving thanks, our innate neoteny is something that we should pay attention to and appreciate as we enter month #10 of distancing, masks, and hand sanitizing. Ashley Montagu identified neotenous attributes in her book, “Growing Young”, mentioning playfulness, curiosity, humor, creativity, sensitivity, and wonder- all traits that might can refresh us, especially during these tough times.
I learned of neoteny locally at Glenn Furuya’s phenomenal Leadership Works seminar on “Leadership Island Style”. Glenn teaches transformational development incorporating our unique, tri-cultural phenomenon here where East meets West meets Polynesia- a fabulous mix when featuring the best of each culture for business. Glenn reminds us that we can be adults without having to be aDULLts. He stresses never losing that child-like playfulness, that zest to learn more, have fun, view things without prejudice, see beauty, stare wide-eyed and gaze at the mundane anew. It’s a tool we all possess.
When we lose our flexibility as life and circumstances get too heavy, or when we bury it deep in the vast recesses of our minds, we ignore an integral part of our very being. When you’re young, you’re flexible. You don’t yet know what you don’t know- but you’re often willing to learn. Adults rightfully tiptoe through 2020 with COVID-19 as an invisible, insidious invader, so we need to dance, sing, paint, laugh, and reflect more often for counterbalance. We need to open up our minds to help solve issues that appear unrelenting, oppressive and even overwhelming. Neoteny can help to mitigate pain, no matter how much longer this stupefying pandemic lasts.
And what better place for neoteny to manifest itself than right here in Hawai`i nei?! Birds chirping, waves lapping, friendly people, majestic views we’ve ignored for far too long, unique and delectable food treats that remind us of younger days, laughing with a long-time friend, being consciously curious, creative, and carefree, even if for no reason at all. We once watched little Mikey instructed in the Life Cereal TV commercial- “try it, you’ll like it!”; neoteny is absolutely worth trying. It’s even been attributed as having impacted geniuses like Ludwig von Beethoven, Bill Gates, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso. Best of all, it’s available right now for free. Happy Thanksgiving!
Think about it…