Future proofing - the role of fire and the process of Serotiny.

Fires destroy and fires also create. And Sometimes a heat experience is what is required in order grow. We have all had our share  of “Heat experiences” .. and know that something was born…as a result of it.

All that is great knowledge. I am going through   a heat experience right now and questioning it…in real time exasperation!!

Why is a heat experience necessary? Why don’t we learn what needs to be learned without all the fire burning…  why must it be so hard…

Why must we wait for that time / moment to go through the heat in order to grow…there is so much damage that happens in the immediate surrounding …is it worth it?? Can’t there be another way…

When I can’t figure something out I generally go to nature to look for some answers.. It an old childhood habit.

I grew up with grandma and a garden. And a space to ask lots of questions. No question was irrelevant or silly. We had lots of fruit trees which I watered everyday at 5am before going to school.  My grandma would tell me to be awake when I water ..Because “not all trees and plants need the same amount of water you must pay attention to the plant you are watering”.

Fair point.. I stayed awake.. This was an important early lesson in empathy from nature.

Anyway coming back to fires and growth experience.

As I was reading about fires…I came across forest fires.

I started reading about forest fires and how in ancient cultures, people pray for forest fires to happen. ..interesting !! I stumbled upon how certain pinecone forests..which have forest fires on regular basis grow to become large forests and how they spread far and wide…

This sounded almost counter-intuitive. .with so many forest fires shouldn’t the growth reduce?? How are they able to scale?

For some reason the world scale made me think of capitalism and fast growing businesses. Working as leadership design consultant, I realize,  this is also a question which a lot of organization are asking …

How can we grow ..how can we scale.. How can we build capacity?. How can we future proof in a VUCA (volatile Uncertain Complex Ambiguous)  environment etc.

The very short answer from nature is “Serotiny”

The Parallels are interesting..to say the least.

I started researching a Particular type of pinecone called polelodge cones ..they are tall thick and dense forests….that you see in many beautiful postcards.

These types, need lots of sunlight to grow.. so as baby plants they tend to grow quicker and taller and compete with their neighbors.. all clamoring for the precious sunlight…

Understandable.

The competing environment..gives rise to the forest growing very quickly and very soon a thick canopy of trees is formed. The trees now mature to give annual pinecones which have seeds for future trees….

So far everything is good.

But.. now there is also a problem…the problem of future readiness.

Again.. Classic fast growing organizations.

In a competing environment ..in an attempt to outgrow each other and rise up quickly.. the trees have now created an umbrella which stop sunlight from penetrating down to the forest floor.

And, since these type of trees only grow in sunlight….the very condition that got them to grow, now will not allow the next generation to grow.

That which got you here.. will keep you here..

The seeds when they mature and  fall on the ground..fall onto a shady ground

pun not intended..

Some stronger ones attempt at growing but at best are shrubs.. a lot  of them die.. in the shade of their towering predecessors.

This poses a serious problem now for the sustainability and future of the polelodge  cones trees.

Due to the thick tight growth, forest fires are inevitable.. and when the burn down .. second in line is not ready.. because they have in a way sealed off their own future.

 This is no longer a technical problem ..It is now an adaptive challenge.

So what does nature do to problem solve... It comes up with a design thinking solution…

The cone trees create another set of seed cones called “Serotinous Cones”.  These are different from the regular cones which are open and hence spontaneously release the seeds which are eventually wasted..

Serotinous cones on the other hand are like a shut casing and need an “Environmental Trigger” to release their seeds..  They are produced in thousands and are like water proof time capsules sealed with a resinous pitch. Many are able to stay on the tree undamaged for years…and even when they do fall on the grown they don’t break open..  Like lie in waiting.

When the forest fires break and the temperatures get high enough….. the cones pop open and release the seeds.. which are then carried by the hot air to different locations with open sunlight ground and this is where they germinate and new trees are born. 

These Serotinous seeds actually use the fire to open up and travel to where they need to go..to find a space where they can  grow…independently. Theses seeds..create the forest…that survives and thrives.

Mystery of fire as a growth propeller solved.

A few thoughts

For us an individuals’ and leaders leading organizations and are inherently interested in sustainable growth…

We have the normal pinecone seeds and we also have the Serotinous seeds.. which need the heat experience by design. Can we identify these two early on??

We don’t  have to wait for forest fires.. sometimes environment needs  to be created.. fires have to be triggered.. and not just think of the immediate “damage” but really think long term…you have no idea which seeds are really waiting for the heat.

Reflect on what and how can we learn from Serotinous seeds which use the heat to open and travel and grow…

How we build capacity for the future, will depend on need to build and harness Serotinous seeds.. and our millennials .

 Note to self: Whenever you go through a heat experience remember you are also a Serotinous seed. 
Use the heat to open  - to fly - to sprout. 

Chikki Bar

Travelling to Delhi and back is an ordeal in itself. To top it my flight was at 9pm. I had been working back-to-back from 8.30 am. And I had had a few really hard days emotionally and physically. All in all I wasn’t in any mood for gay.

After randomly browsing through people, on a very crowded airport, reminding me of Kolkata train station. People sitting on the floor with their bags..eating etc.,  I gave up.

I was reluctantly and rebelliously hungry, so I ordered a Pizza (eye roll).. Waited for 25 minutes and then answered to a butchered version of my name being called (a few times since I didn’t not recognize it I didn’t go to get my Spicy supreme Pizza) – He was annoyed  - I competed - He won.

I very roughly took the pizza ..balancing the Bag and the luggage bag looked around in vain at the over  crowded sitting area..to notice who was ..about to get up.

A lady suddenly caught my eye and signaled me to go to their table..I did..thinking they were done. But she got up and offered me her seat..while still eating from her husbands plate. I was reluctant..but she insisted that I had too many things on my hands  (which was true in more ways than one)

When I still refused to sit..she held my hand sat me down and almost tucked me in.

And to not embarrass me further she turned away and got into a conversation with her husband.

I was touched ... to say the least at this generous random act of kindness, just when I needed it.

I looked around me at the cacophony of human beings and wondered at the collective potential for kindness… If only.

The food(not so much the Pizza) nourished my soul..

Waking up from this revere I suddenly realized that I was about to get late to board ..so I rushed.. I tried to look for this angel lady but they had long since left. I offered a silent thank you prayer

I went off and after a long snake queue (in which I stood – normally I just sit it out) this day I felt I had a little spring in my step

As far as I was concerned my evening was made..with this touch of Magic.. but the universe wasn't done ..yet.

We got on to the bus that takes us to the flight.. I was standing with my earphones plugged in.. A very tall lady walked and stood in front of me. Still reading, “White Magic”. I smile to myself at the “Coincidence" and make a mental note of checking this book out. Another, hassled young mother of two kids also came and stood  next to me. The little boy of 2 kept making loud noises and gestures. Much to the embarrassment of this mother.

And then another person, an old important looking businessman in a grey business suit entered with the familiar laptop bag over filled. I noticed he was eating a chikki bar (An Indian sweet candy made up of peanuts and jaggery) in a rather fast hurried focused pace.. like he was hungry..or distracted...deep in his thoughts.  Before the bus got filled and moving he had  finished two bars.. I was amused.

The Chikki  looked good.. groundnut jaggery in a pink foil wrapper.

I had a sudden craving for sweet. I swallowed and looked away ..forcing myself to be distracted.

The man again reached out in his laptop bag and pulled out yet another chikki bar.. I noticed he had a bag full.

By now the little 2 year old boy and me were both eyeing the chikki that the man was eating.. the boy kept reaching out and I smiled at him..secretly telling him to ask for me too.

The mother, of course even more embarrassed kept telling him “to behave himself and not ask for things from strangers" ... I smile thinking what if the boy became a sales person.. he he he ... The tall lady also looked up and almost admonished the little boy.

It crossed my mind whether this incident would remain in the grown up memory of this little boy and would he hold himself back from asking for what he wanted…

The bus kept moving.
Not at the pace of my imagination, thankfully.

The man miraculously turned his attention from his determined focus on the chikki bar and caught the little boy drama..and good-naturedly reached out in his goody bag and pulled another chikki bar and offered it to the very happy boy..

This was my chance ... !!

Before I could catch myself.....I said,  “I also want one” .... Silence !!

He paused…

The mother paused..

It was comical... I swear, like  a road runner moment.

and the white magic lady looked up at me..I am pretty sure with a,  "I can't believe you just did that " look

I, well... I just waited … laughing in my head..

After this suspended moment the man registered what had just happened....

He grinned a big grin and said a  loud ... “Sure … of course.. they are really tasty” .. I know .. he suddenly morphed into a funnily dressed but really friendly Santa Claus.

I took that bar readily and happily. Our man.. suddenly felt so good at sharing offered it to the tall lady also ..who(very sophisticatedly) declined . Our man now caught in the flow, offered it to the driver of the bus..who was suddenly very happy as well.. somehow he was caught in the avalanche of giving…and almost noticing how much better it felt to not just eat alone.(of course worked great for me J )

The man and I laughed and the mother joined in, it looked like it had been a while that she hadn't laughed.... a few stray, also tired people ..who were pretending not to notice all this..also joined the laughter…

Suddenly from a somber tired irritated late evening.. it felt like a Christmas night.

We got off ..a very different bunch of people that when we got in...!!!

Santa Claus (you know who) .. was chuffed. And so were a lot of other people including the boy who was driving our bus..I don’t think anyone notices him.

And somehow everyone was a little more aware of the others around and wanted to see if they would also help and give something... It was one of those feel good moments video you see on youtube.

I didn't need to get on the flight and fly.. I was already high

As I sat down in my seat.. I was struck by two things …

The Power of asking like a child brought out the innocence of giving. And how both benefitted. 

I hope we can ask like the little child and not get struck with the grown up do and don’ts..and live with regrets.

and how it is so natural for human beings to want to be part of something which is inherently good and innocent. ..and how much of this we have forgotten in the process of growing up ..pretending to.

And yes..

Between the angel lady who tucked me in and Santa Claus who gave me 2 (yes) bars of Chiikki.. I felt really good and taken care of.

Note to self: Ask for what you want.and don't forget to thank the Universe

All in all Delhl trip was good.

  

Cloud Lines

It was a strange day.

Serene, quiet and eloquent  

The kite in my backyard

Was restless

Or so it appeared

It kept circling

Not bothered about all the loud crows that sounded scared.

It was looking

For something…

The lines that the clouds had drawn across the sky

Were neatly laid out

A little Too neatly I thought.

And everywhere …

I felt like I was in a game,

a cosmic game

But I didn’t know the rules

The lines

They looked like someone had thrown a bucket of cloud lines

across the brilliant blue sky;

And called out a pattern

And now

It was my turn.

I stand there looking up at the sky
Oblivious to the cacophony of the traffic on the road
And watch the cloud lines shift

Ever so slowly..

But the pattern is still intact

I feel like I am being asked to write something

on those lines

Pun not intended.

I am confused.

Suspending conclusion, thankfully.

And curious

And excited to read what I will write

And what will be the universe’ next move

I walk ahead

With a faint smile

Empty headed, almost

Light hearted

And

Sure footed.

Rhea

The Story of Gold

This is an insight from a me-to -me experiment that I am doing with Gold.

Growing up I have had an emotional, and a physical allergy to gold.  I have always been a silver person. In my younger days I considered it an act of defiance. Gold, at least in my mind, has been synonymous with tradition, patriarchy, power. Everything I rebelled against (why is a story for a different time). Silver was soft, not rigid and, with a sense of freedom, bohemian.

Having been in the Leadership and Transformation space, I have also been intrigued by the process of Alchemy, the making of Gold.

I have also often wondered, growing up on movies like McKenna’s gold, Indianna jones etc. What was so precious about gold? With the rush..  the madness. the perceived importance and value.. across cultures. Alchemists and their lives dedicated to making gold… Why was Gold so important?

what was the big deal?

In this gold quest, of my own.. I stumbled upon some information and insights. And many dots are joining.

I started with questions like, What is gold, How was gold born? Where did it come from?  What were its origins?

Gold is extraterrestrial.  It was not born on earth.  It is born in space. It is born of a star. A star called Supernova, yes! the bright shining star..maybe it gets is gleam from that.

In the corporate space I have often heard the term Supernova used to glorify and appreciate some super achievers and given supernova awards. It meant, just that shining Super Star.

Now as I researched and got to understand. Supernova is actually, a ‘Dying Star”.

So here is the Story of Supernova. Like with everything, to understand something, in this case gold, one has to go back to its origins.

And by the way.. The story of Supernova and Gold..Is also the story of Leaders and leadership.

Supernova wasn’t always supernova, the bright star. It was just another regular star. Stars are made up of hydrogen, the simplest and lightest element. So..it goes about without any care frolicking, for some time.

Over time, the star cannot handle all this simplicity and lightness and the gravitational pull of its core, which has started to get complex..  puts pressure on  these hydrogen elements pulls them in and triggers nuclear fusion in the stars core.. Causing it to expend large amounts of energy. This expending of large amount of energy is what looks like shine... and we see a ‘Shining’ star.

This ‘Shining’ phase goes on for many years.. But Alas!! over time the constant internal fusion causes the once, light and simple hydrogen particle to now become heavy and complex. It gets converted into heavier elements like helium, iron and nickel.. and the weight of this, now, can no longer be supported by the core. It does not have the internal energy to sustain what it created.. these have now become complex substances. 

Classic

The core wears out and the pressure from the outer layers collapses in on the center. When the core completely collapses with the pressure from its own created environment… caving in under the enormous pressure and amount of energy.. the star explodes..  into a ‘Supernova’  - Supernova is not a thing..its is a Process. Process of a Bright Star Dying . 

What we see as a Big Bright wonderful star and celebrate, is actually the death process. Momentarily seen as the Brightest in the sky.

Again.. the story of some People and Organizations

The story so far is ..well.. depressing.  And also familiar. If we map it to our own life span.. starting with simplicity and lightness to becoming more complex and heavy and eventually collapsing under our own weight. 

True of Individuals true of Organizations.  

We still have to go on… death is the end of a phase… just like in the case of this star.

 So we continue..

The Supernova explosion releases such extreme pressure and energy that it now ‘forces’ its sub-atomic particles to come together creating “neutrons”.   (funny how it takes pressure and devastation for things to come together - the cosmic and the inane not so different after all ) .
Neutrons are neutral. They have no charge.

They then keep getting captured and transformed into heavier more solid elements on their own, without the stars interference. Converting  to iron, silver, gold, nickel and uranium. And these elements are splattered into the cosmic space..and some land on earth.. like our gold. 
Phew!!.

It is interesting that in contrast to the conversion in the older story of hydrogen to helium, which takes many years until its death, the new story of transformation from neutrons to other solid particles takes only seconds. 

Time to question the assumption, that transformation takes time.

So there it is.

I now have a whole new understanding of Alchemy as a transformation process.

This is how Gold is Born. Through a transformation process.  

It takes a Star to be born, to shine,to die, a Supernova effect to happen, the core to completely be touched and scorched by extreme heat ..in order to give birth to Gold.

Born from a humble neutron, which has no charge,  comes to birth this time-less, precious legend called Gold.

I also see how we regularly use examples of  Gold becoming pure only after going through the fire. We ascribe gold and its value to “purity”.  Purity, strictly speaking in gold terms, is the process of all  the other impure chemicals mixed with gold to burn in fire till it eventually stops reacting to the surrounding elements. 

Becoming non-reactive,  pure and neutral.. just like its genesis.

Just like our genesis.
But.. Before that we have to go through the fire and the supernova process. 
That is the cosmic design.

Rhea