sensemaking360

Life often feels like a delicate dance between forces beyond our control and the passions that drive us forward. Are we shaped by destiny, the cosmic script laid out before us, or by desire, our conscious and focused efforts to create a meaningful existence? The truth may lie not in choosing one over the other but in embracing the interplay—the Destiny-Desire Dance—where the two gracefully intertwine. This blog explores this profound idea through three interconnected lenses: philosophy, spirituality, and psychology, offering a holistic reflection on how we navigate life’s unfolding paths. --- Philosophy: The Harmony of Choice and Fate Philosophers have long wrestled with the tension between free will and determinism. The existentialists remind us that our essence is not preordained but created through our choices, fueled by desire. Sartre argued that we are "condemned to be free," meaning we must take responsibility for our actions and their consequences. At the s...

To be human is to move. For many, walking is an unthinking, habitual act. Yet, for those of us who have had to relearn this fundamental skill, walking transforms into an extraordinary process—a therapeutic journey, a triumph over adversity, and a reawakening of the mind, body, and spirit. Six months ago, I faced one of the most challenging periods of my life—a rehabilitation journey following brain surgery. Simple acts I once took for granted, like walking, became milestones to reclaim. Under the guidance of my physical therapist, I began a painstaking process of remastering the art of walking, starting with a walker and then transitioning to a cane. Each step demanded awareness, precision, and effort: right leg forward, move the hip, land and find balance, then advance the cane held in my left hand. Repeat with the left leg. All while keeping my head up and body upright. What many accomplish without thought required my full concentration, a constant recalibration of muscle...

Walking Through Falling: Finding Meaning in Every Step “You’re walking. And you don’t always realize it. But you’re always falling.” —Laurie Anderson, Walking and Falling There is something profound in the act of walking. It is a series of controlled falls, a continuous cycle of losing balance and regaining it. Most of us take this for granted, but for those of us who have had to relearn how to walk, every step becomes a lesson in resilience, patience, and transformation. For me, walking has become more than just a means of movement. It has evolved into a practice of meaning-making, a metaphor for how we navigate life itself—through uncertainty, struggle, and perseverance. Falling Forward: The Paradox of Progress Walking is not about avoiding falling—it is about learning how to fall well and recover. Each step is a subtle forward collapse, a moment of instability before the other foot lands to restore balance. Relearning to walk after surgery was an exercise in trusting the process, in...

"What you are looking for is looking for you." This deceptively simple statement carries profound implications across the interconnected domains of philosophy, spirituality, and psychology. What if the act of seeking—whether it’s meaning, connection, or purpose—is itself a reciprocal, co-creative process? Let us explore this beautiful interplay through multidisciplinary lenses. Philosophy: The Dance of Desire and Reality Philosophically, this inquiry evokes the dynamic relationship between the seeker and the sought. Existentialism: For thinkers like Sartre or Kierkegaard, the act of seeking defines our existence. What we seek reveals the essence of who we are, and by striving toward it, we co-create meaning. Metaphysics: This concept also invites reflection on the idea of ontological interconnectedness—that our desires are not isolated phenomena but resonate with the greater fabric of existence. Are we shaping reality as we pursue it, or is reality shaping us? Eas...

Image Credit: Design Council In a world that is increasingly interconnected and complex, changemakers hold the key to driving meaningful and lasting transformations. Whether they are leaders, system thinkers, storytellers, designers, or connectors, their ability to navigate ambiguity, align stakeholders, and catalyze action is critical. Yet, these tasks are daunting without the right tools and frameworks. This blog explores how an integrated portfolio of frameworks—spanning systems thinking, design thinking, OODA Loop, Three Horizons, and more—can empower changemakers to achieve their desired outcomes and impact.  I would like to share my perspectives based on my personal synthesis to enhance my own understanding so that I can apply them in solving complex real world problems that are worth solving. Why Changemakers Need a Portfolio of Frameworks Changemakers operate at the intersection of complexity and possibility. They navigate environments where: Systems are dynamic...