BIOMANITESTO OF ERROL A. GIBBS
ERROL A. GIBBSErrol Gibbs was born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. In 1957, Errol was in the near presence of his father who was involved in a catastrophic accident. Errol is the fourth among nine siblings to a mother who was a homemaker. His mother was unsophisticated to the world of the British elites that his father associated with during that era. The sudden passing of Errol’s father cast a shadow of unhappiness over the life of his mother, siblings, and himself. Errol lost all of his privileges to a better natural life —temporarily. These early years began to inform his compassion for the suffering of human beings. Errol, ‘unknowingly’ began his search for meaning and purpose in life.
In 1969, Errol migrated to Canada, where he has lived for forty-one years and in the United States for approximately six years respectively. Errol lives in Milton, ON with his wife, Marjorie. Errol’s peers recognize him for careful research about human development, analytical thinking, and for compelling and philosophical arguments. It is from this background that Errol’s work transcends the underlying belief that people are capable of making new and positive history, but the impetus lies in a revolution that must come from both ‘heart’ (the Spiritual being) and ‘head’ leadership (the physical being).
Errol often ponders the question, why do people seem to lack the collective resolve to build and sustain great civilizations with peaceful coexistence among individuals, families, and nations, despite exponential growth in world religions, human intelligence, science and technology, and great material wealth. Errol observes the phenomenon of life, with its unrelenting wars, genocide, religious, racial and cultural indifference, and general inhumanity, as witnessed by 6000 years of recorded history, and down through the twenty-first century.
Errol is witness to the rise in academia and the expansion of human knowledge; of great wealth, and of great quantities of material things, at the same time, human problems deepen as spirituality ebbs. Errol strives daily for congruency of faith, belief, and practice in every human endeavor. The twin pillars of ‘technology’ and ‘theocracy’ underpin his life’s work. Errol states that they are mutually inclusive for human survival as a viable species. Furthermore, that the solution to the human dilemma lies in a deeper understanding of the ‘spiritual purpose’ of human existence, as one indivisible whole, which is not essentially an academic pursuit, but it is fundamental to an understanding of our interdependent relationships.
The reminiscent voice of seventh-century writer —Edmund Burke (1729-1797) inspires and awakens Errol. “All that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.” It arouses passion in Errol to research, study, write and speak about human development, well-being, and happiness. This awakening (figuratively speaking) gave rise to the body of work that Errol produces in, collaboration with others.
In 2002, Errol relinquished his technical career in another “life-changing” commitment to pursue higher knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the purpose of human existence. Gibbs’ and Grey’s 2011 ©Five Foundations of Human Development (FFHD) and 2016 © Thoughts to Enlighten and Empower the Mind, are books that boldly attempt to examine human life through ‘theological’ and ‘technological’ lenses, offering alternative ways to explore human development.
Errol puts forward that whether you live in the Orient or the Occident, whether you are rich or poor, an academic or a layperson, religious or irreligious, people are in a perpetual search for something — knowingly or unknowingly. Errol believes that at the core, the search for meaning and purpose in life is the embodiment of the human journey. Errol’s latest collaboration is with his wife, Marjorie. Discovering Your Optimum “Happiness Index” (OHI) is their way to engage people, communities, and nations in a global dialogue about the positive and far-reaching benefits of happiness that can heal the ‘wounds’ of humankind, and usher in a ‘new’ world of peaceful co-existence.
The following questions serve to provide a broad perspective on Errol’s likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, and aspirations:
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Our youngest son Lincoln Gibbs, Ed.D, MPH, CHES, and my sister Hazel Ann Gibbs-DePeza, Ed.D, inspires me by their tenacity and the relentless pursuit of their academic goals – against all odds. Outside of the family, I would say Muhammed Ali (January 1942 ― June 2016) for the depth of his conviction.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS?
My immediate goal is to release successfully in 2017 “Discovering Your Optimum ‘Happiness Index’ (OHI),” a handbook “Discovering Your Optimum “Happiness Index” (OHI), Quotes Handbook,” corresponding eBooks, and an OHI App for mobile devices in 2018.
To initiate a Global Optimum Happiness Index Movement (GOHIM), to build and commission a legacy website in 2017, and to speak about Optimum Happiness (OH), and our Optimum Happiness (OH), on a TED Talks Platform.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE?
I have two favorite quotes:
“All that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.” — Edmund Burke (1729-1797). British-Irish Statesman born in Dublin, as well as the orator, political theorist, and philosopher Edmund Burke.
“The perfect human being is all human beings put together, it is a collective; it is all of us together that make perfection” — Socrates (469 BC-399BC).
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SCRIPTURE VERSE?
My favorite scripture verse is:
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:20-21 (NKJV).
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WORLD LEADERS?
The advice that I would give to world leaders is that “Spiritual Intelligence” (SQ) is a pre-requisite for global leadership.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO PEOPLE?
My message to people is to be attentive to the five principles upon which human survival rests (1) worship God; (2) serve humanity; (3) care for family; (4) obey authority, and (5) manage creation. Every nation should rest upon the bedrock of these five foundational principals. Reference: © 2011 Gibbs, Errol, and Grey, Philip. Five Foundations of Human Development (FFHD). Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse, 2011.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE BOOK?
My most favorite book is The Mainspring of Human Progress Irvington–on–Hudson, New York: The Foundation for Economic Education, Inc. 1997 — Weaver, Grady Henry (1889-1949).
HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE AND WHY?
I would like to live to a healthy one hundred years of age. I have much to accomplish. (1) To complete academic studies in Philosophy, (2) to build a legacy website of my life’s work, (3) to initiate a Global Optimum Happiness Index Movement (GOHIM), (4) to create a “Think Tank,” and (5) to travel and speak internationally.
WHAT IS GENIUS!
Genius is discovering that which one is most capable of and developing it to the Optimum.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT WITH HUMANITY?
My biggest disappointment with humanity is the failure of the education system to teach a “Wholesome Education Curriculum” (WEC). A “Wholesome Education” is an education that comprehends five foundations of human development (spiritual, moral, social, intellectual, and physical). Secondly, many bemoan the state of humanity, but few make promising suggestions for positive change. I believe that despite the past failures of humanity, current challenges, and emerging challenges in the future, human beings can build and sustain great civilizations, but it demands both ‘heart’ and ‘head’ leadership.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My biggest achievement is writing and publishing two seminal works 2011© Five Foundations of Human Development (FFHD), and 2016 © Discovering Your Optimum Happiness Index (OHI), as my contribution to a better world.
WHAT ORGANIZATION DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
The organization that I most admire is Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) treats people where the need is greatest. MSF is an international medical humanitarian organization.
ARE YOU A HAPPY PERSON?
I am an “Optimally Happy” person. Optimum Happiness (OH) (“joy”) is a ‘higher value’ proposition than mere happiness.
WHAT DOES HAPPINESS MEAN TO YOU?
Happiness is a complex, multilayered human condition that one cannot define as a single feeling or emotion. Happiness means a commitment to God, marriage, children, family, and friends. It means to recognize, acknowledge and embrace the “oneness” of the human family. Happiness means to discover one’s genius, which is to determine one’s highest capability, and develop it to the “Optimum.” Happiness means to understand that all people have a common desire for universal love, fairness, and justice. It means honesty, integrity, and competency in business, generosity to others, to embrace every opportunity to share thoughts, dreams, hopes, and aspirations.
WHAT DOES A SUCCESSFUL LIFE MEAN TO YOU?
A successful life means to worship God, serve humanity, care for family, obey authority, and manage creation. It means that money must not be a first imperative, but a derivative of service to humanity.
IN YOUR OPINION WHAT ARE THE MOST PROFOUND WORDS EVER UTTERED.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do…” Luke 23:34 (NKJV) ― Jesus of Nazareth.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE TED Talks?
I have two favorite TED Talks:
Robert Waldinger: What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life?
The greatest bottom up study on ‘happiness.’
Lisa Kristine: Photos that bear witness to modern slavery
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE MOVIE?
My most favorite movie is “The Shoes of the Fisherman,” a 1968 American drama film based on the 1963 novel of the same name by the Australian novelist Morris West.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE SPORT?
My most favorite sport is SOCCER.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE COLOR?
My most favorite color is Blue.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE FRUIT?
My most favorite fruit is BANANA.
WHAT COUNTRY WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT?
The country I would most like to visit is Cuba, to witness the last bastion of the Old World before New World ideas transform the country.
— The journey continues…