Week 3 Peer Comment #2: Melissa Lodhi

Melissa Lodhi says, "

During the last few days, I have spent a substantial amount of time asking myself, “Are you taking yourself too seriously?”  In most cases, the answer is yes.  When things don’t go the way they should or the way I think that they should, my normal reaction is frustration.  This is usually a result of being driven by the calculating self instead of the central self.  This weeks reading has sharpened my awareness of internal motivation.

In many ways the reading from The Art of Possibility mirrors concepts delivered in Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth.  Instead of calculating self, Eckhart uses the term ego.  Realizing when this aspect of personality is at work is a major step in redirecting thought patterns.  The calculating self, or ego, is really just a survival mechanism that loses its purpose in adulthood and serves to hinder relationships.

These steps are not easy but reading them again has helped me to refocus on awareness and presence.  Breaking habits in behavior and in thought is a challenging endeavor but is the only way for me to evolve as an individual.

(Picture from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/228019)
My Comments.

I too am one who gets frustrated when things don't run smoothly or go the way that I want them to. In the back of my mind I know that people (little people to be specific) are watching my every move, how I react or how I deal with situations. One thing that helps me, is that I am flexible and I do error on the side of caution yet as I am constantly reminded even the perfect laid plans do not always pan out.  You are right, as we read this book, we are re-gaining our focus. In my opinion, this book came at the perfect as all the year end stress with work, exams, and then finishing up our master's degree we all need a refresher. This book has certainly fulfilled that purpose for me.

Week 3 Peer Comment #1 Everett Jones

Everett writes, "These chapters are really geared towards myself and friendships that I have.  The example in chapter 5 about the conductor that doesn't know his members of the orchestra personally, but would like to.  The members hold him in such a high esteem that they send messages to him through those in the hierarchy.  He receives all praise for how the orchestra sounds, yet he does not perform and instrument at the concert.  I think it is important to acknowledge all that are part of the larger picture.  Especially if they are all working towards a common goal.  The results tend to have a better outcome.  When people are acknowledge, they tend to have a personal stake in the goal and perform better.

Chapter 6 gave an example of how when we lift away our personal judgments of people, that we may see them in a more positive manner.  I honestly think that each person no matter how evil some may seem to be, possess at least one thing that is positive.  Sometimes focusing on that, brings out a person that we never thought we'd see.

I learned from reading these chapters that I have to set up my life and relationships so that positivity embraces them both.  My daily decisions and choices not only effect myself but those around me.  Focusing on those things that make me happy in life, can hopefully overshadow those obstacles that do not.

(Picture from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/595902 )
My Comment-

Everett,
I think that is an interesting perspective on relationships. I too think it is extremely important to give thanks/be thanked when in a group working towards a common goal. That is one reason I love staff professional development days, and team building workshops! I think that you have a great focus on trying to hone in on the "happy" little things in life to help you through daily obstacles.  One thing I try to do is to see the flip-side/find one good thing about this "problem" I have or what have you. Sometimes, just being thankful for the little things is a great way to handle a tough day. Great insight! Thanks for sharing.

Week 3 Reading Write-Up Chap 5-8

(Picture from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/167405)
In the Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander, as I read chapter 5, I at times switched out conductor with educator. (I think that often times we feel like the conductor to all the various student personalities and learning levels.) As educators, we at times could boast and take too much pride in the success of our students, for example on the year end exams. But in actual reflection we the teacher's couldn't be successful without the hardworking, studious, and intelligent student, right? I love the idea of being more of a facilitator and aiding students in their success. Too many times lately have I experienced/seen students wanting to be spoon fed. And at that point what are we teaching our students by doing that? I enjoyed the scene where Maestro Guido Lobeps Gavillan and his Cuban Philharmonic Orchestra and how what he saw as failure turned into an amazing peer teaching moment. Their reactions were very similar to what I have seen numerous times in the classroom, the environment becomes energized! What a great "aha" moment.

I do feel that my overall mood/demeanor will effect the environment that I am in. If I am depressed, sad or grumpy, in my opinion I am going to bring down those with me. But if I am happy, positive and upbeat my energy is bound to rub off on those around me. I really liked the game that Roz described, "Have the Best ____ Ever." It is a good challenge and in the end will create positive results. I personally am happy 95% of the time, those around me will see me with a smile on my face, and almost always get those around me to smile back. (That is a personal mission that I seek to accomplish everyday, to make people smile!) But one thing that I find helpful is to take any situation and try to find one good thing about it! For example, say my car breaks down on the way home from work. I might say, well good news is, I don't have to cook-pizza delivered it is! You would be surprised how your mood might lighten/lift a bit. Sometimes when you have something that is bringing you down, you must first figure out what exactly it is that is holding you back. Once you have figured this out (prayed about it)

Publish Post

and searched (sometimes going outside the box) for a solution. You can get past it. I agree that often times you might have to dig for that passion or tap into some of that "energy and vibrancy" of your environment to overcome this rut that you are in.

This book is being read at the perfect time of my life as sometimes I feel like I am spinning my wheels. It's really helped me to think outside the box, and remember what is important and also how to think on the more positive side. Ultimately, for me it comes down to what I value the most, and the fact that I will reach my goals, I just need to see all the possibilities in perspective.

Week 2: Free Choice Post (Publishing/Leadership Think Aloud Post #1)

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/48455 

I keep thinking about how I am going to wrap up my final AR project into one nice neat little package (hence the above picture). For my Free Choice Post, I just wanted to discuss a little bit about publishing versus presentation of my final project. I keep going back and forth with it. I am very much a people person and want people to see my excitement and passion for the project that I have chosen yet my presentation opportunities seem to be very limited due to where I live.  I also really like the idea of creating a total package and submitting it to a publishing company! Time wise I feel like I have the time to do the writeup and submit my publication to a journal (or two). Sometimes I feel like, who would really want to see the research that I have done? But then I saw a commercial with Michelle Obama and her active role in building a healthier society, and realize that if nothing else, this an issue that needs to be addressed!

To tell you the truth, I know for sure I will be bouncing ideas off of my classmates, and my husband whom all have supported me through this entire process.

I do have a couple questions about the Final WriteUp/Presentation.
1- Is there a rubric or a guidline that I could go off of when piecing together all my work?
2- Is there a site that could possibly show me a few examples of past work from graduates?
3- What do the majority of EMDT majors choose?d

Week 2: Comment #2 Ashley May

Ashley Writes,
"

I read chapters 1-4 in The Art of Possibility on Sunday, but for some reason, I have been wrestling with writing this post.  It’s not that the reading was so confusing or that I had any misunderstandings; it was more of a “what to say and how to say it” kind of situation.  However, this evening I got news that my mother was in the hospital, and suddenly the urge to find a distraction led me back to my computer.

As I read through the chapters, I couldn’t help but think to myself.  I know I have heard this all before.  After about the fourth time I found myself saying this, it dawned on me; these are all Biblical principles being put into action.  I had heard this all before.  We have studied many of these same concepts in depth at my church.  Such titles as What You are Expecting is Expecting You, Your Thoughts Create Your World, and Confession that Brings Possession immediately came to mind.  You can click on any of the titles to purchase any of these titles or to read more information.    My Bishop, S. Terri Smith, always says, “The principles work if you work them.” It is show true.  Believer or non-believer, Christian or non-Christian, the principles of the Bible always work.  After realizing that this book was simply a repeat of teaching that I had already received being presented in a different light, I was able to read and enjoy more.  I was able to really get into what the Zanders had to say. 

There were a few points that stuck out to me that I would like to address.  First, Ben dealt with removing fear as an obstacle.  This was a prevalent theme throughout the first 2 chapters.  I had my “aha” moment when I (once again) realized that I am the biggest opposition to my own success.  It’s my thought patterns about my environment and myself that have to change.  I have to stop limiting myself to the box.  Instead of thinking outside of the box, I have to operate as if the box doesn’t exist!

The second point that I absolutely loved was when Zander said, “When you make a mistake, lift your arms high in the air and say ‘how fascinating.’”  I thought this would be a great exercise for me, personally.  I tend to put an extraordinary amount of pressure on myself to do everything and be everything.  What’s worse is that even though I know I cannot be perfect, I am still somehow disappointed when I am not.  This exercise will be great for me to start to take some of the pressure off of myself, and to allow myself to make mistakes. 

The third point that stood out was the story of the Taiwanese student.  He went form seeing himself as a 68, to seeing himself as an A.  It made me wonder, how do I see myself?  Why do I let others define who I am? Why do we all let others define who we are, even if it’s just a small part of ourselves?  This passage was extremely liberating for me.  It also reinforced things that I knew, but that I hadn’t yet learned.  I hope that makes sense to you!  It’s just like when people hear you but they are not listening.  Anyway, I am going to strive to do a better job of only caring about how I see myself, and giving myself that A!

The fourth and last point that I wanted to discuss was about making contributions, and about how that is like making ripples.   It immediately brought me back to Professor Rena Hanaway’s class.  Her theme was always  “making ripples,” and I really, finally, truly got it! It’s really about doing enough to cause a change in others, and for that same change to cause a ripple effect.  On a random side note, I thought it was rather befitting that I would reach this epiphany of sorts during the same week that I am hammering home cause and effect relationships with my 6th grade students! 

Well, if you are still reading, I would like to say thank you.  I naturally talk too much, and I’m a writer by nature as well.  Combining those two factors under stress can only lead to ridiculously long blog postings that someone will have to suffer through.  I hope it wasn’t too bad!  Until next time…

My Comment.

Ashley,

I think the three points that you brought up were valid and yet insightful. Your first point about removing fear as an obstacle rings true to me. I know as a teacher, I encourage my students to be creative and try to think outside the box.  How can I as a teacher foster an environment where thinking outside the box is comfortable, when I struggle with this concept myself. I love surrounding myself with challenges, and lately try to add one new/innovative event, concept, lesson what have you to my everyday life. Sometimes it is hard to operate as if "the box" doesn't exist because that box has been there for several years! When I read your third point about caring what other people think, I first thought, she is a "people pleaser." Now I'm not sure if you in fact are, from what I've learned about you, you are such a strong insightful woman and you strive for nothing but the best! But I however, can be a "people pleaser." I want people to be happy with me, never upset or mad at me. At times I find myself so worn out and tired from doing/acting the way that people want me to. It is those times, that I realize what I have gotten myself into. (Usually this means my husband, Mom or Dad pointing it out to me.) I think that looking myself in the mirror and seeing my own self worth, and not letting others define who I am is key to success in life. When I am reading The Art of Possibility, I often find myself thinking, the possibilities truly are endless! I really enjoyed reading your blog and from one christian to another, I found myself nodding and smiling at the points you made, because they too hit home to me. I love reading other peoples' blogs and seeing their highlights of the reading because they are so unique and so insightful. Thanks for the post.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/528990

Week 2: Reading Writeup Chap1-4

The Dusty Old Light Bulb With A New Glow

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/227545

Authors Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander write, "We perceive only the sensations we are programmed to receive, and our awareness is further restricted by the fact that we recognize only those for which we have mental maps or categories for." This makes me feel like I am back in my educational physiology course in college (by far one of my favorites). But this statement is so true. For me this ties in not only well with the first chapter but all the chapters. We want to look beyond just the worldly measurements or constraints that we have learned or perceived up to this point in our life. We want students to think outside the box and not ever limit themselves in their capabilities, and of course we want them to feel like they are active contributing members of the world we live in.

Can I just say that the chapter that talked about "giving an A" was truly insightful. Often times I find that my students, and even myself, feel distinguished by a worldly measurement such as a rank in the class or a grade received. But I thought it was very interesting to see how students reacted once they realized they were given an A. They were perceived as being an "A." I could just see the Taiwanese student's light bulb illuminate the brightest it had ever been when he was explaining his thoughts.The authors, Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander,truly state it well when they say, " Students would be in such a chronic state of anxiety over the measurement of their performance that they would be reluctant to take risks."

Since I wrote my free choice post prior to writing the reading reflection, I hadn't yet gotten to the 'Being a Contribution' chapter. As you will see/read in my post, I was struggling with the idea that my AR project will actually impact others. I think contribution is a big part of our society. Often times if you haven't written a book, produced a movie, starred in a movie or done something that impacts more than 100 people, we don't feel as thought we have contributed much in life. One of my goals as a teacher is educate students so that their education will become their children's education thus creating active and educated members of society. So does this mean that I am striving towards contribution? You betcha! (But honestly, I never really looked at it like that prior to reading this book.)

I found this book to be a great refresher. It really helps me to see a whole new side of myself and the life that I live. I am really looking forward to reading more!

Week 2: Comment #1 Pamela Holifield

Pam says,
"
I really enjoyed the first two chapters of this book. I actually stated to feel like I was watching a TED video presented by the author of this novel . It read like a lecture. I find myself saying, "Where could we possibly go from the technology we have today?"  I have to remind myself that there are more blocks of stone to be chipped away at.

My mom tells me a story at how someone knocked on her door one day when she was young in the 1940's. A man was selling property on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Her father slammed the door, and said, "That land will all be under water in a few years." If only he didn't see the square his mind made. Ahhh the Art of Possibility. "


My Comment,
Pam,
I can totally related to the book being like a written script to a TED video! I too read it like a lecture and the author truly did have some great points that really made me think, question and reflect. I love your little story of your Dad, and the following comment about the "square in his mind." Some people might read your post and say, "What does she mean by the square in his mind?"  They just need to think outside the box!

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/47549