Systems

As part of my new active daily routine, I have been devising activities, alternatives to exercise, that I can do even when the weather is poor.  Currently, in Calgary, we have just had a snow storm, so I though I would try my "plus 15" activity out.

The essence of the activity, I decided, would be to energize myself and take pictures from every plus 15 crossing.  I screen captured an online map and plotted a rough course to see how far I could get, seen in the picture below.  The red diamond indicates where I started and the blue indicates where I finished.

Apparently, the plus 15 system is over 16 km in length being the "world's largest pedestrian skywalk system" (calgaryplus15.com)  and opened in 1970.  As a system, it connects businesses, retails shops,  restaurants and professional offices in the downtown core.  It provides shelter for pedestrians and a venue for buskers. Although it is a winding route, you can cross streets without having to wait for lights or traffic and the C-Train, free downtown, has stops nearby.  At the same time, you pass a throng of people moving to and from work.  And certainly, you can see spectacular views of the downtown core.

As I took the ctrain back, I felt successful because I had navigated the furthest distance across downtown on the plus 15 that I have been able to do to date.

I have posted my map and the pictures I took with my iPhone, should you are in the Calgary area and want to retrace my steps in plus 15 scavenger hunt.  Should you make your own route, be sure to take pictures, post in a blog and send me a link.  If you permit, I will share the link with others on this blog.  If not, I will try to retrace your route myself as part of my active daily routine.  I hope to design all my activities to be social.


As I was walking and taking the pictures, I started to think about systems. The plus 15 system was designed with a specific purpose in mind.  Like any system, the plus 15 has expanded, shrunk, changed parts and been re-established.  Like any healthy system, it has been used for a long time and by many people with different motivations and contexts.  As far as systems go, the plus 15 must be deemed successful, even beyond its original transportation and connectivity goals.

I started reflecting on my activity system, one activity for every meal.  My requirements that my activity be engaging and social to be fulfilling.  This routine is a system, especially as it has become habitual and as more people join me.  The rewards of the activity extend beyond their original purpose.  I am energized and I have reconnected with friends.

Lastly, as I returned to my place of work, I began ruminating about the nature of my work: curriculum development.  Naturally, with the planning, the project management and templates, I design and support systems, that I share with others and hope to be long lasting and have effects beyond their original intention.

This last realization is an important one for me, as I often receive feedback that systems inhibit creativity.  In my walk, in my active daily routine, in my work, I know the opposite to be true.  Systems give us a place to start.  A framework and a foundation from which we can create more and together.  Certainly, systems need to be revised, occasionally parked, and often renewed to foster creativity, much like the plus 15.

I will keep this in mind as I move forward in whatever context and be sure to share.  Leave comments or share posts on systems and creativity, even if you don't agree.