Hillary,
You reminded me of what I need to do as I look to the future. As I finish my Masters and look forward to the future and what to do with my career it’s easy to be scared of this and just stay where I’m at. As Nelson M. said we are stars made in the image of God and we need to shine out and use the gifts we’ve been given. I need to seek out where I could be of benefit with what we’ve learned.
I agree with you about the blame game. It’s so easy to fall into that category and not look for the possibilities. Great job, I enjoyed your reflection.
Showing posts with label Art of Possibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art of Possibility. Show all posts
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Week 4- blog 2 reflection on the Art of Possibilities
This is a quiet reflection of each chapter of "The Art of Possibilities". Having completed the book it makes you think through it all.
Week 4- blog 1 Art of Possibility
The idea of “being the board” brings on many possibilities. The best would be not falling into the downward spiral that brings everything down. At the same time, trying not to take the blame or pointing fingers is a hard thing to do because we are conditioned to do that.
Imagine if a vision was designed with the thought of the possibilities. The idea of looking towards creativity and building goals and objectives off of that would be fabulous. I have found so many administrators that have very little vision. They continue to put out fires, but nothing moves forward due to the lack of vision.
I cannot help but think of the We story of the United States. As he says on page 183 “the story of the unseen threads that connect us all, the story of possibility.” That’s what our founding fathers saw in their vision of America. They saw the connection of the threads and the possibilities for America. That’s what they built our Constitution on.
In conclusion, I have been challenged and at times overwhelmed as I read this book. At the end in the Coda I was challenged to choose what to do. My vision is to look for the possibilities around me and not get overwhelmed and fall into the downward spiral.
Imagine if a vision was designed with the thought of the possibilities. The idea of looking towards creativity and building goals and objectives off of that would be fabulous. I have found so many administrators that have very little vision. They continue to put out fires, but nothing moves forward due to the lack of vision.
I cannot help but think of the We story of the United States. As he says on page 183 “the story of the unseen threads that connect us all, the story of possibility.” That’s what our founding fathers saw in their vision of America. They saw the connection of the threads and the possibilities for America. That’s what they built our Constitution on.
In conclusion, I have been challenged and at times overwhelmed as I read this book. At the end in the Coda I was challenged to choose what to do. My vision is to look for the possibilities around me and not get overwhelmed and fall into the downward spiral.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Week 3- blog 1 Art of Possibilities
In chapter 7 headed “The Way Things Are” They make a very good point about the danger of the down word spiral in thoughts and conversations about any subject. The interesting thing is that we then justify our beliefs that they are realistic, when in reality we miss the possibilities.
In connecting this to education I can see where at times I get on the negative side of where things aren’t going. It can be very frustrating to know what the research says and yet look around and see all the wrong things being done. My other frustration is even when things are changing I feel it’s moving to slow. I should look on the positive that at least things are changing which allow for more possibilities.
What is my passion? Do I let it flow through me leading others into it? These are questions I ask myself. I know at times I get on my soapbox, as I call, it when it comes to changing education around me. Being a one buttocks player, as chapter 8 talks about. I understand this as a singer, that you can sing it technically, or let the emotion of the song flow out of you. So how can that be translated in to what we do in the educational field. Imagine getting students excited about learning because they see it in you. We’ve been challenged at Full Sail so often that we are the movers and shakers. I need to let it flow though me to others. That’s the challenge.
To conclude my blog on this weeks chapters 7-9 I sit speechless. I had tears in my eyes as I read the story of Anthony and all the kids of that school and their response.
As he says, that spark is everywhere. We need to just find it.
In connecting this to education I can see where at times I get on the negative side of where things aren’t going. It can be very frustrating to know what the research says and yet look around and see all the wrong things being done. My other frustration is even when things are changing I feel it’s moving to slow. I should look on the positive that at least things are changing which allow for more possibilities.
What is my passion? Do I let it flow through me leading others into it? These are questions I ask myself. I know at times I get on my soapbox, as I call, it when it comes to changing education around me. Being a one buttocks player, as chapter 8 talks about. I understand this as a singer, that you can sing it technically, or let the emotion of the song flow out of you. So how can that be translated in to what we do in the educational field. Imagine getting students excited about learning because they see it in you. We’ve been challenged at Full Sail so often that we are the movers and shakers. I need to let it flow though me to others. That’s the challenge.
To conclude my blog on this weeks chapters 7-9 I sit speechless. I had tears in my eyes as I read the story of Anthony and all the kids of that school and their response.
As he says, that spark is everywhere. We need to just find it.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Blog comments on Coleen Elmer's Post
My comments:
Coleen,
You've made me think about my own mother and similar feelings. When I read our book I thought about how I approach students, but never thought this way. Towards the end of my mothers life you never knew what she would be like when we went over to her house. One time she would be great and the next time she would be explosive. When she died we found out she had hardening of the arteries and several other problems that led to how she was. I certainly didn't give her an A. I was to busy measuring her. I can't change the past, but I need to think about the relationships I have now with my wife and own children and make sure I'm giving them an A. I also need to carry this idea over to my classroom. Thanks for the great thoughts that made me think about what I'm doing. Great job!
Coleen Elmer's blog post on the "Art of Possibility"
Even as a young child I understood the art of possibility. I was a dreamer that believed anything was possible and that life had a deeper meaning than just making it through each day. I certainly can understand the survivor mentality because in many ways my dysfunctional childhood encouraged that survivor mentality. My mother was misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated for many years until a specialist finally stumbled on the correct diagnosis. My mother was extremely bipolar and also was an alcoholic. I spent much of my childhood caring for a sick mother and my younger brother and sister but that never put a damper on my dreams and all the possibilities for my future. I dreamed of the day that I would live my life providing compassion to those in need as an RN.
I really wish I would have understood the importance of the practice of giving “A’s” earlier in my life. This philosophy would have made a world of difference in my relationship with my now deceased mother. I have always believed that she had failed as a mother. I wanted to understand how she could give up on life when she had 5 children that needed her support and encouragement. What would have happened if I could have given her an “A”? What if I could have approached her from a framework of respect rather than measurement? Would I have been able to reach out and understand her reality? These are questions that I will never know the answer too. I have learned a valuable lesson in life that I will apply in the future. My father is now 85 years old and I am planning to move back home next fall to rebuild relationships with my father and siblings. I intend to approach them in a respectful and understanding manner; giving them an “A”.
Coleen,
You've made me think about my own mother and similar feelings. When I read our book I thought about how I approach students, but never thought this way. Towards the end of my mothers life you never knew what she would be like when we went over to her house. One time she would be great and the next time she would be explosive. When she died we found out she had hardening of the arteries and several other problems that led to how she was. I certainly didn't give her an A. I was to busy measuring her. I can't change the past, but I need to think about the relationships I have now with my wife and own children and make sure I'm giving them an A. I also need to carry this idea over to my classroom. Thanks for the great thoughts that made me think about what I'm doing. Great job!
Coleen Elmer's blog post on the "Art of Possibility"
Even as a young child I understood the art of possibility. I was a dreamer that believed anything was possible and that life had a deeper meaning than just making it through each day. I certainly can understand the survivor mentality because in many ways my dysfunctional childhood encouraged that survivor mentality. My mother was misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated for many years until a specialist finally stumbled on the correct diagnosis. My mother was extremely bipolar and also was an alcoholic. I spent much of my childhood caring for a sick mother and my younger brother and sister but that never put a damper on my dreams and all the possibilities for my future. I dreamed of the day that I would live my life providing compassion to those in need as an RN.
I really wish I would have understood the importance of the practice of giving “A’s” earlier in my life. This philosophy would have made a world of difference in my relationship with my now deceased mother. I have always believed that she had failed as a mother. I wanted to understand how she could give up on life when she had 5 children that needed her support and encouragement. What would have happened if I could have given her an “A”? What if I could have approached her from a framework of respect rather than measurement? Would I have been able to reach out and understand her reality? These are questions that I will never know the answer too. I have learned a valuable lesson in life that I will apply in the future. My father is now 85 years old and I am planning to move back home next fall to rebuild relationships with my father and siblings. I intend to approach them in a respectful and understanding manner; giving them an “A”.
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