What makes humans unique?

Humans are a unique species. Scientists tell us that humans exhibit several characteristics/behaviors/abilities that distinguish us from all other animals. But science is showing us more and more that what we once thought of as our “unique” ability is now only “more advanced” than other animals. Humans have an advanced language,advanced ability to make and use tools, advanced ability to manipulate the environment to our advantage, and an advanced ability to create and interact in culture. Geneticists have shown us that 98-99% of our genes are the same as chimps.

With so much similarity between humans and other animals like chimps, what sets us apart?

I think it is our posture.

Our unique posture compared to every other animal on earth creates one small change that has huge implications for us as a species. We are upright beings with joints that stack vertically one on top of the other. Our head is upright and our chest is open. We walk through the world leading with our heart as the most forward part of our bodies.

No other animal on earth leads with their heart, they all lead with their heads. Thinking your way through the world is much different than feeling (loving) your way through the world. The following animals are considered the smartest and most human like animals on earth and none of them (even chimps when standing upright) lead with their heart, they all lead with their head.

Let’s use today, Valentine's Day, as a day to examine what it means to be human and how we are currently living our lives and why. The popular saying, “wear your heart on your sleeve” means to show your emotions openly and be vulnerable.  Vulnerability is what allows us to feel all our emotions fully. If we guard our heart or try not to feel any “unwanted” emotions, we inadvertently limit our ability to feel “wanted” emotions. I think we all can look around at the world and know how the world would be a better place with more compassion and love. But the only way to bring give more love and compassion is to lead with our hearts. I think many humans lack the ability to do this and there is a reason why that is beyond them not wanting/trying to.

I think the problem is our posture.

Next time you walk by a window glance sideways at your posture. What do you notice? Probably that your head is forward and down, your shoulders are hinged forward and your upper back is hunched (even just a little). This posture is hiding our hearts and making us lead with our heads. Look around at everyone you see around you and notice their postures. If you believe in evolution, we can say we are starting to de-evolve as a species.

I believe the gossiping, lack of understanding, anger, revenge,  fear, and war is due to our (poor) posture. We (as a collective society and world) are trying to think our way out of the struggles we experience instead of feel our way out of them. I think the key to getting humans to start to act like humans again (showing love, compassion, empathy, forgiveness to all other humans, species, and the earth) is to correct our postures. An amazing thing happens when we realign our joints to be vertically lined up, balance our head on top (not in front) of our spine, and open our chest (exposing our heart to all): we become human again. Our minds quiet, our hearts open, we begin to “feel” again, and this opens the door to compassion, empathy, forgiveness and love.

If you would like to see what your posture looks like and how you can realign your posture and open your heart, contact me today for a free consultation and I'd be happy to help you. 

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Additional resources:
Dr. Brene Brown - Vulnerability TEDxTalk
Debbie Allsup - Wallow in optimism with Postural Alignment Therapy article