Innovating and having fun?

Recently, I had a photoshoot with a pro photographer in a sleek studio — you know, lights, camera, action, the whole deal. Now, I’m no stranger to photoshoots, but this time was a bit different. The studio was buzzing with people, all eyes on me and my impeccable poses! Attention? Bring it on! What struck me was how effortlessly I could churn out these supermodel-esque photos, capturing exactly the look I wanted.

So, I’m sharing these pics with some folks, and their immediate reaction? “Oh, you look so serious.” Sure, getting that perfect shot is serious business, but let’s not forget, perfection is just a fairy tale. I’ve dived into some reads on behavior and neurobiology, and it’s fascinating how much of what we perceive isn’t even the real deal. Our brains are like master illusionists, constantly projecting our own versions of reality.

This got me pondering something I’ve always been mindful of: life’s not meant to be taken too seriously. It’s a messy dance of contradictions. While we’re here, let’s have a blast. But here’s the twist: to innovate, to solve problems creatively, we’ve gotta tap into that playful spirit. Nothing — and I mean nothing — should be too serious unless we’re on the brink of kicking literally dying. So, play on, and just keep playing.