The Janus Project 2013

“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.” 

That perfectly summarizes a discussion I had at my table during the second round of group meetings while the conference. We came up with the powerful statement: DO NOT TICK THE BOX.\

We mentioned that there is a though world outside, no doubts. We are living in the world at the edge of great transformation - nobody knows where it will lead to. The rules change, people change, even space is different. You are being constantly given answers and best solutions. You are being asked for knowingness and clarity pf yourobjectives But where to go if you have a hundred ways and all go into the same direction?

People will always give you a thousand of 'only best advices'. They always know what is better for you than yourself, they know what is behind the corner. They know you better, they understand you better than yourself and they know they are right.
Once, I put myself in such a situation, and everyone knew best - they advised my mother, my family and myself. And then I asked them: If you know all this stuff so well, why you complain about life so much. If you know a solution for my every single problem, why can't you find at least one for yours? - I have no people knowing better ever since :)

There is something more precious than anything else - it is your experience. Billy says: everyone might be clever, everyone might read a book, watch a movie and think he is clever. But to learn a lesson, to tick your box, to know more, you need your experience. And your experience might be totally different than one's next to you. But only then you learn, and then, you might come for a real exchange with others who learn a hard lesson of life.

You know why the JANUS has inspired us so much? Because each one of you who had a voice, shared a personal story, a moment of a real life learning process. And it will always keep amazing us!

Do not tick the box,
unless you want.
There is no a teacher who wants your box,
nobody to know yourself better than you.
You know what you need,
even though you don't know what you want.
Make your box by yourself,
do not ask anyone for permission,
and make it different,
in colour, in shape
and sign it by your name,
and take it out to the world.


Do not take the box,
just because everyone has it,
one says it looks good on you,
because it is funny,
or it is right.
Don't take the box,
unless you have made it by yourself,
and you're proud of it.

The Road not taken by Robert Frost

....and that has made all the difference.