Monday, August 15, 2011
Wk: 3 Reading Blog: Art of Possibilities
Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: We're all leaders. How can we make a difference in the people we influence each day? How do we listen to those who help us make our dreams become reality?
You need to ask yourself, “How can I make them engage” don’t ask “How great am I doing? How much greatness am I willing to give?” A leader listens to suggestions and can instill a sense of pride into those giving the suggestions.
Chapter 6. Rule Number 6: Don't take yourself so seriously. Life is a journey--enjoy and learn along the way. Live, laugh, and love!!
Rule Number 6: don’t take yourself so goddamn seriously. I love this line. I am reminded me of a time I was in an argument with someone. In a fit of rage, I threw a bag of un-husked corn on the cob at him. After that the fight was forgotten and laughter ensued at the absurdity of throwing a bag of corn!
Chapter 7. The Way Things Are: Sometimes settling for the way things are is a lowering of expectations, sometimes it’s finding a starting point so that one can make things better. Where are you in this continuum?
Downward Spiral Talk…rampant in Education. When I started teaching, I was full ideas and innovations, but in staff rooms and meetings my voice was drowned out by jaded, seasoned teachers complaing about this and that, until one day I found myself sucked into the Downward Spiral Talks. Of course it doesn’t help that our complaints and negative thoughts increased as working conditions decreased.
Chapter 8. Giving Way to Passion: Control says that the only way to avoid disappointment and frustration is to not care at all. No hits, no runs, but most importantly, no errors. What are you doing in your daily life that expresses your passion or the things you are passionate about?
I am passionate about art and nature. In the brief freedom of summer for my girls (before they go back to school and are sucked into a world mostly devoid of these things), I try to instill as much of these two high held passions as I can. This is one of the main reasons I chose Portland, OR to move to. This city is as passionate about art and nature as I am. I try to combine my passions, by teaching my kids that nature is full of art; nature is art. Finding and experiencing the beauty that is nature is experiencing art.
1 Comments:
- At August 18, 2011 3:18 AM ,
Cheryl McGovern-BookWorm said... - Heidi: I totally agree with your vision of many seasoned educators being negative. But looking at the glass as half full, there are many who remain positive about their profession as well. We need to surround ourselves with those who are positive and upbeat. I understand that even the most upbeat, positive person can also have low times, and that is normal. That is when a good friend can help by picking that friend up and helping them regain that positive outlook. With the economy in the tank the way it is, we can all use a little pick me up help from time to time! It is awesome that you are teaching your girls about the beauty of nature. That is one of the sometimes forgotten aspects of life. It doesn't cost us anything to appreciate the beauty all around us. Every area of the world has a different sort of beauty and no matter where we are, if we look around we will see that particular areas beauty. Have a great day! Cheryl
I agree with you, we should not settle for what we are. We should always strive to be better. My husband always says "Strive to be perfect". Not that he thinks that there is a perfect person but if you always trying to get to that level your always striving to be better than you are. In other words, you never become complacent, you can always do better. I can talk about Rule Number 6 all day but I won't. I'll just say I agree with you, we really do take things too seriously and sometimes we can be our worst critic!!!
ReplyDelete