When posting comments to blogs, I am often challenged (by a robot) thus, "Prove You Are Not A Robot!"

Recognising numbers in a photo and then typing them in doesn't convince me that this is 'proof' I'm not a robot. I bet there are robots that can do that.

The deeper question is, "What does it take to prove you're 'Human'?" As a student of biology, I know there are seven signs of life: movement, nutrition, reproduction, excretion, growth, respiration and sensitivity... but, once again, I think a robot could engage in a form of all seven. Being human is something way beyond being 'alive'.

I think it is spirit or emotion that causes us to be truly 'human'. And not just any old emotion. 'Man's inhumanity to Man' seems based around emotion - pride, envy, jealousy, malice, bitterness...so perhaps they are not the characteristics of being fully human.

I'm going to place my vote on the good emotions:

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faith

Gentleness

Self-Control.

The Apostle, Paul, called these 'the Fruit of the Spirit' - something I find fascinating since they are very much emotions with corresponding actions. We say, "That's the spirit!" when someone has the right attitude, so perhaps emotions are spiritual? All fruit begins with a flower and pollination - perhaps stretching the metaphor too far - but this fruit doesn't just happen - it is nurtured to fruition by our thinking. As you think in your heart, so you are! And out of your heart flows whatever is fulminating in your heart!

Whatever we think, the nine segments in Paul's list make a wonderful 'Handbook for Being Human' don't they? I can sense-check my progress each day and the quality of every decision by asking, "Is this the loving thing to do or say?" "Does this bring joy?" "Is this the way of peace?" – and you can fill in the rest.

Staying 'spiritual' it is said that in the Divine Presence is fullness of Joy. So a step out of joy is a step away and out of the divine. So is a step out of love. I don't think you need a spiritual mindset to benefit from this – you can just stay with emotions.

However, for me, being spiritual is always a bit nebulous. These emotional actions are not nebulous – they can be recognised in a yes/no state or as in an on/off condition. Am I being gentle? The answer is 'yes' or 'no'... not often 'maybe'. But even 'maybe' gives me something to work with.

Lex

A Moodscope member.

Want to work on your humanity today? Measure your day by the nine!