In 1970, Buckminster Fuller famously wrote, “I live on Earth at present, and I don’t know what I am. I know that I am not a category. I am not a thing—a noun. I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process—an integral function of the universe.”
Cherish this idea for a moment. Think of yourself in a different way—as a verb. A verb is a word that, “typically express action, [a] state, or a relation between two things…”
How does it feel when you think of yourself that way—instead of defining yourself as a noun?
A noun is a word that refers to persons, places, things, states, or qualities. A noun is static; a verb is dynamic. A verb, therefore, as Buckminster Fuller said, describes an evolutionary process.
So instead of “I am a leader (noun)”, try “This is who I am choosing to become (verb)”. See the difference?
So many of our conflicts and our self-doubts come from “noun-thinking”—I am, for example, a Catholic, Republican, single parent, African American, CEO, activist, etc. which puts me in opposition to all those other noun-thinkers who describe themselves differently and causes us to measure ourselves against unrealistic ideals. When we set aside that noun-thinking, which puts us (and others) in a box, we are able to broaden our perspective of ourselves and others who are evolving towards an ideal.
How can we support them? How will you nurture your own evolution towards that your future state—that verb?
I am growing
Lance, the part of this that speaks most to me is the limitation that a noun places on me because I can always compare myself to others in that category — am I a better/worse mother, wife, colleague, teacher, etc. While verbs can also be compared, I think the non-static nature is more appealing because that is how we are. Leading with more or less courage today than we did yesterday. Parenting with greater or less empathy in this interaction. So while I can still compare, it’s easier for me to see the fluidity of my experience when I don’t have one immutable label. Now I’m off for some cooking of pancake breakfast (but don’t call me a cook). 😉
I just saw the one-man play “R. Buckminster Fuller–the History and the Mystery of the Universe”. It was a brilliant production of this brilliant man. It sparked this question in me:”What would it be like if we had no labels for others? No terms that are used to create dualism–I and You , right or wrong, Muslim or Jew, Scorpio or Virgo. What would it be like if we used only adjectives and action words that described a person’s gifts and what they are becoming? That’s my dream.
Lance
This is timely for me. I am reminded that we continually invent ourselves through language and action. Defining ourselves in noun form constrains what we are becoming. I prefer to live into the possibility I and others can be. As a colleague once suggested we are “human becomings”. Thank you again for pointing our attention on something that matters.
I love Buckminster Fuller’s work. Thanks for sharing this idea re: leadership.
Well worth the contemplation time.
I continue to burst out of limitation and into becoming …on this wondrous evolutionary planet !
Connie
Lance, I like your thoughtful and useful blog. Thanks. The way we choose to consciously think of ourselves and others really does change things.
I personally like to keep in mind the value and uni-polarity of both states of consciousness: of being a human BEing (noun) and a human beCOMING (verb), … and viewing our most essential quality as “love”, and love (like leadership) as most essentially “something we do”.
I feel like a “verb” most of the time, on-the-grow, evolving, feeling most at home on the road, on journey, moving between the-no-longer and not-yet.
(Note: I attended one of Buckminster Fuller’s last public lectures many years ago in Boston. He certainly thought out of the box … and circle. 😉 )
I am connecting.
I am loving.
I am empowering.
I am respecting.
I am believing.
I am inspiring.
I am creating inspiring, loving, people (“To Mom” must be the verb for that).