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Ep45 Generativity…Really?

Hello and Welcome to the Way of the Emotional Warrior Podcast. My name is Kai Ehnes and today we will be answering the question of: What is Generativity and How can it help us?

So…Generativity means that a person has concern for and belief in the future. People with a high degree of generativity have reached a point in their lives where they take on actions, behaviors, mindset which promotes goals and direction towards a better future.

The person has an appreciation for possibility. Looking for and implementing positive stepping stones for a bigger and better future for themselves, others, mankind, animals, plants, the planet. No matter how bad things may be at any given moment, you can persevere and redeem yourself.

Highly generative people are driven to help others for the betterment of the future. They might choose professions where this type of behavior is natural, healthcare, education, protectors of peace. Or, they are people who simply implement those behaviors into any job or situation they may be in.

These people see their lives as redemption stories. Its not necessarily about personal redemption but realizing that as a whole the future can always be made better. Their lives become the hero’s journey, as Joseph Campbell said.

In psychology, Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development, established the idea of generativity as being the polarity of middle age. Generativity or doing positive things for a better future is opposed by stagnation which means what it says, doing nothing and simply marking time. A healthy outcome of this is to do what one can to ensure a better future.

Some people are highly generative while others might be slightly generative, in either case, the person is still generative which means forward positive moving energy.

The difficulty with generativity is when the individual runs into barriers that don’t allow for betterment. For example a person puts a ton of effort and time into a community project that simply does not manifest. Should that person give up? Of course not. Each day is a new day and maybe its simply a matter of course correction as to where to put their time and effort.

Let’s take a look at the neuroscience. On a simple level, the story goes like this. When you do something kind, or positive, the brain in response to that action secretes neurotransmitters that make you feel good. They can make you feel happy and satisfied. The regeneration or renewal pattern is that because it made you feel good you end up wanting more of those feelings so you do more generative behaviors and actions and slowly your baseline outlook rises and you feel overall better about things. You create a more positive outlook for your own future and of course for others.

Time to apply this to the Emotional Warrior. Heart based resilience means that not only is the brain between your ears but your second brain, which is in the heart, becomes more activated and engaged. Practicing heart based breathing and gratitude, creating a personal philosophy of altruism and positivity set the tone for a beautiful life. There really is no need to convince anyone else of this for momentum to begin to rally. Simply work on yourself and your personality will inspire others to join you.

It is truly a wonderful thing when you think about it. We spend our early years as part of our parents’ world, then move into making a place for ourselves in society and the world and then we get to help out others. Our physical, emotional and spiritual systems are designed for this. We are meant to be altruistic and we are meant to improve life on this planet for future generations. This sounds like a phenomenal purpose to be a part of.

~Peace