Nefelibata
To walk among the clouds.
“It costs nothing to dream and everything not to.”
Rodney White
Audio narration by David Marlow
Definition.
Nefelibata: (n)
nef·e·li·ba·ta /ˌnefəˈlibətə/
A cloud walker. One who lives in the clouds of their imagination or dreams.
One who does not obey conventions of society, literature, or art.
Nefelibata is of Portuguese origin and is derived from nephele, which means cloud, and batha (a place where you can walk). This term can be used as an adjective and as a noun.
In the pursuit of understanding words that encapsulate purpose, we stumble upon gems that have the power to transform our perspectives and journeys. Nefelibata is such a gem, inviting us to explore the realm of imagination and aspiration, particularly within the context of our Ikigai journey.
Risk
There is the default path in our world. Doing what we've always done or what others tell us to do.
Following the default path, we risk confining ourselves to the rigid boundaries of the ordinary.
Without allowing our hearts to wander and dream, we remain trapped within the mundane routines of daily life, disconnected from the extraordinary potential that lies within each of us.
We become susceptible to the pull of self-doubt and conformity. This lack of incorporating imagination leads to a life devoid of innovation and personal growth.
When we suppress our imaginations and adhere solely to the practical, we forsake the opportunity to explore uncharted territories of creativity and fulfillment.
Without dreams, our life becomes a mere checklist of obligations.
There is a risk of daydreaming too much. So few people engage in going beyond the default that the greater risk is in not dreaming at all.
Opportunity🌀
Embracing the mindset of nefelibata on our Ikigai journey opens the door to a world of boundless potential and self-discovery. Like clouds, our aspirations and goals evolve, shift and transform, leading us to ever-new possibilities.
We spark imagination and creativity by not mindlessly obeying standard conventions—opportunities for personal or professional innovation multiply.
We liberate ourselves from the constraints of preconceived notions and societal norms, allowing our authentic selves to soar and express our creative spirit.
The spirit of nefelibata encourages us to approach challenges with a fresh perspective, to view setbacks as opportunities for growth, and to infuse every facet of our lives with creativity.
Ultimately, embracing the essence of the unconventional harmonizes practicality and imagination, weaving a life where our creativity guides us beyond the default path to an ever-evolving journey.
As we walk this path, our art becomes the compass that steers us to the fulfillment of our creative dreams.
Story
From walking into a radio station at 16 and asking for (and getting) an on-air job to becoming an engineer in two disciplines with a history degree, my career highlights all have come from when I refused to obey conventions and embraced a spirit of nefelibata.
My failures had come most often when I embraced the default or took the more conventional path when I denied my creative impulses and stayed to the standard way.
There is perhaps no better example of a reward for creativity in a rigid/default environment than my time in the Marine Corps.
I had recently been promoted to sergeant and assigned to manage all the Marine aviation-based test equipment in the Pacific. This meant repair, use, and mission for every piece of equipment we needed to keep the planes in the air.
Shortly after I took over, we installed a ‘computerized’ supply system and were given a computer terminal. This was in the days before PCs.
We worked in trailers that were small and had two tiny desks. The terminal and printer were way bigger than the desks, so at first, we sat them on the floor.
The Master Gunnery Sergent in charge of the program rollout for the Navy and Marine Corps dropped in for a visit and, in language unfit for this publication, let me know he wasn’t happy that his $27,0001 terminal was sitting on the floor.
Since this was a program, I went to my area boss (I’ll skip USMC terms), a Master Sergeant looking for suggestions. I figured there had to be a process for supporting outside projects. I was wrong.
“I would think a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps could come up with a solution on his own,” was his reply.
We had no budget for new desks, so I got creative.
For this format, I’ve cut out a number of steps. Imagine this takes several days and many interactions.
I began trading. I found another sergeant who had a slightly bigger desk and was looking for some filing cabinets. I found someone with filing cabinets who needed a smaller desk. I gave them the tiny desk and got the filing cabinets.
Then came the GS4750. The largest desk available in the government services supply catalog. Through a series of trades, swaps, and promises, I kept one of the tiny desks, got a cabinet to use as a standing desk for the terminal, and the GS4750…for me.
This thing was enormous! It took six Marines to carry it. It was so big we had to remove the door frame to the trailer to get it in. It was an awesome sight to behold in a mobile technology support trailer.
The Master Gunnery Sergeant was happy and he mentioned my impressive solution to my boss, the Master Sergeant, who immediately came over to see the desk.
“How’d you get a GS4750,” he asked. “I can’t even get one of those.”
It took all the self-discipline I could muster not to say, “I would think a Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps could find a way to get themselves GS4750.”
But I didn’t.
Final thought: I loved using that desk every day of my remaining time in the military. The adventure and victory sparked something in me that remains to this day. When faced with a similar challenge, I often ponder, “How might I turn this into a GS4750?”
By the way, did I mention the time I ordered an entire F-4 Phantom Fighter jet? Maybe a story for another time.
Application.
To incorporate the essence of nefelibata into your life, start with these straightforward practices:
🌱 Cultivate Quiet Moments: Designate pockets of time for stillness and introspection. Allow the noise of everyday life to settle, creating a space for your imagination to flourish.
🌱 Rekindle Childhood Dreams: Revisit the dreams and passions that ignited your imagination in your younger years. Delve into these memories to uncover the sparks that still resonate within you. As a kid, I wanted to be a writer. Allowing myself to uncover that long-hidden dream is how Ikiquest came into being.
🌱 Share Your Inner World: Share your unique creativity and dreams with the world, even in small ways. Through your creative endeavors, connections, or simply embracing your original self, you'll lift the layers that have hidden your true essence.
🌱 Do Something Bold: It was way out of my comfort zone to get that GS4750. When it didn’t even fit through the door, I almost panicked but instead embraced the adventure and kept finding creative solutions, like removing the door frame. Doing something bold opens up doors and opportunities the default path keeps hidden.
While these steps provide a simple starting point, they are just the beginning of infusing creativity and self-discovery into your daily life.
🌀Reflection.
Here are five questions to encourage you to embrace your creative spirit and uncover the limitless possibilities ahead.
What creative ideas in me are waiting to shine? How can I give them the spotlight they deserve?
When did I last let my imagination run free? How can I make space for more of these imaginative moments?
What unique thoughts have I kept hidden? Why and what could I do to share them more openly?
When did my creativity solve a problem? How might I bring that magic to the challenges I'm facing now?
How can I infuse my work and life with the wonder of imagination? What small steps can I take today?
🌀 Remember: No matter what has come before, today is a fresh start. 🌱
Let’s make things a little bit better. 🌱
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$27,000 in 1987 would be equivalent to over $72,000 today. For what was essentially a green screen dumb terminal.