Wk 4 Response to Christine

Christine wrote:

Practice 9: Lighting a Spark: 

This chapter lit a spark for me.  If I didn’t

know any better I would have thought it

was written with me in mind. I do not like

the word “no” very much (not that any of us

really do) and work hard not

to hear it often.  I don’t tend to ask others

for much or put myself out there, because

when I do and I am told no, it just reaffirms

why I don’t ask for help in the first place. (Clearly, my negative anticipation puts out the spark and keeps me un-enrolled).  Not the best of attitudes I realize. So when I read these words, they made me laugh. “Were we to take a “no” less personally and ourselves less seriously we might hear something else” (pg 126). I half expected to see my name somewhere in this statement.

Practice 10: Being the Board

I have always believed things happen for a reason; good, bad or indifferent.  I realize I may not always know the reason and some times may never know the reason, but this type of thinking has always served me well.  My pet peeve in life are those people who think the world is out to get them and have a “whoa is me” attitude.  They believe everything bad happens only to them and therefore they have no control over their life.  Being the board is a great way to take control over my life.  Although I never recognized myself as “the board” after reading this practice I can definitely appreciate knowing that I am the board. With or without this label, accepting responsibility for my life and all that happens gives me the power to transform my experiences of any unwanted situation into one with which I care to live.

Project 11:  Creating Frameworks for Possibility

I have always believed that life is full of possibility.  Creating the frameworks for possibility is an area that I am currently working on.  My mind is cluttered with both chaos and possibility, with chaos winning lately.  I am in a transitional place in my life and am finding it difficult to focus.  As I was reading this practice I found myself having to read and re-read it.  Of all of the words and examples in this passage this thought made the most sense to me and perhaps explains my current struggle in creating frameworks for possibility.  “The person who rigorously maintains the clarity to stand confidently in the abundant universe of possibility creates an environment around him generative of certain kinds of conversations” (pg. 174).  Clarity is what I am lacking and therefore limiting my conversations.  This is most definitely a practice that will take some time for me to perfect.

Practice 12:  Telling the WE Story

I personally like this practice.  The connection of WE is a very powerful one.  WE can often do things that I or you alone cannot do.  I think about my daughter.  She is a single mom with a one year old baby boy.  On her own she struggles and is fearful, but together WE (she and I and her brothers) ease her fears and provide to her the support she really needs.  WE also work together to give her son, my grandson, the security in life that he deserves.  I too am a single mom, with 3 kids.  Unlike my daughter I did not have a WE story for support.  I had an I story.  I was and am responsible for my kids.  For my kids, WE is the way they were raised.  WE are a family.  WE are there for each other, and together WE are strong.

 

My response:

Such great insight you have had!  Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is take a look inside ourselves and begin the change from within.  I applaud you for applying the "We" story to your family.  Often times we fall into the patterns of our past and it is much harder to break these patterns and start afresh.  What a wonderful role model you are for your family! 

Wk 4 Response to Alicia

Alicia Wrote:

In reading through the final chapters of The Art of Possibility, it was something written in the final pages that seemed to sum up everything for me. The authors wrote "choose the practices that express yourself." This seems to incorporate each aspect of the book, each chapter, and combine it into one simple answer. An answer that many of us probably already know. That we need to chose what works for us.

That simple statement can be true in many different instances. We have to find the theory, the plan, the style that works for us. We cannot do things simply because someone else has done it that way. We can not be held accountable to something that may work for you, because it just might not be what is best for me. In those simple lines, "choose the practices that express yourself," I have been given the freedom to take and use what I can. The author seems to recognize the individuality in each of us. In removing the stress of having to try everything, I have been given the power to know and understand myself.

My response:

It's all about perspective...

Isn't this a great way to finish our Full Sail journey?  Throughout this year we have been trying to equip ourselves with new tools and see ourselves in a different light.  Now we come to the end and get a book that tells us, it's okay to be different, it's okay to find what works for you...

I think this also is the paradox that is the current trend of education.  The powers to be try to stick all of us in one box, with one program/theory that is supposed to be the solution to all of the problems.  Obviously this is a problem because we are not all alike...we have different strengths/weaknesses.  How do we solve this??  I'm afraid I have no idea... 

Wk 4 Reading: The Sky is not the Limit!

Photo by Heather Hanes

Again I found this week's reading to be so in tune with where I am in my life.  Often times I find myself wondering what else I have to do to get my students attention and help them learn.  Then I read the chapter about lighting the spark.  I realize that I need to get them enrolled in their learning.  I have to light that spark of interest...which in itself is not an easy task.

The idea of "being the board" is one that is wonderful, but one that you have to make a conscious effort to do.  It is so easy to put blame on others or even yourself.  It isn't as easy to take a look at everything and assign no blame.  I can relate this to my current administration.  It seems as though she is always after me about something...I need to stop and look at what is causing this instead of feeling resentful about it.  What has caused her to react to me this way?  How can I get her enrolled into my vision?  Again...easier said than done!

Creating frameworks is something that I would like to focus more time on.  I like the idea of not assigning punishments or consequences for everything.  I like the idea of creating vision led goals and objectives.  I this might be the link I need to help them with the high stakes testing.  If I can create a vision that sparks the interest of the students, it doesn't have to be about "passing the test".


There is a sense of power in telling a "WE" story.  My ex-husband and I told "I/YOU" stories.  We didn't mean to do it...but it had the same end results...a realization that we were no longer happy together, yet couldn't pinpoint the moment that this happened.  Since then, I have made the effort with my current fiance to change the wording.  I use "WE" stories.  It's never "I want this" or "You did that".  It's this is what isn't working and how can WE fix it together.  I also found that there is less likely to be an argument of grand proportion of you say "WE", thus saying I am in this with you.

This book has greatly opened up my eyes to a different way of thinking.  It also came at a great time!  We currently have a family member that has moved to Florida from New York and is living with us.  She has recently become discouraged since she isn't finding a job as quickly as possible...I introduced her to the "Universe of Possibility" and various other teachings in the book.  I have noticed a change in her mood and she now has 2 interviews next week!

Wk 4 Publishing_Presentation Project

Our Chosen Conference

So, Jen and I presented our rough draft presentation Tuesday evening.  It went over well, all things considered.  We have decided to submit our proposal for the eLearning Guild conference in Orlando.  We are under a tight time constraint, as proposals are due October 14th.  I think that we will be able to pull this together with a little bit of work.  The great thing is that we have been working together since month 1 and we both know each other and our work ethic, taste, projects, etc.  A huge bonus is that if we are selected we get one free admission into the conference and then we can split the cost of the other admission fee.  Plus, since both of us are within commuting distance to Orlando, we won't have to worry about booking a hotel room or airfare.

The response to our presentation was mostly positive.  We were advised by several people to change the color scheme, so we are going to work on that next.  We also will be adding and ice breaker activity, a resource page, a contact info page and one other collaborative activity.  I think that if you look at the project you can see that we both contributed to the presentation and that this isn't the case of one person doing more work than another.

Week 2 Think Aloud
Week 3 Think Aloud

Publishing Presentation Draft 1

Wk 3 Response to Daniela

What's your passion?
Microsoft Clip Art Gallery

Daniela wrote:

While reading the Art of Possibility I kept thinking the book was talking directly to me…corny I know! I have been having a difficult time reaching my new class this school year, they are unmotivated to learn and unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. I have attempted just about everything I have up my sleeve. I have had to take a step back and re-analyze my job. As I was reading the statement “how much greatness are we will to grant?” (p. 73). It is my job to inspire and bring out the best qualities these kids have, as the book said I am going to have to speak to their passions. I am going to have make connection with them. These chapters made me feel like I can still go in a make a difference. I have been feeling a little defeated and needed something to give me inspirations. I think this was it. I am looking forward to making a change!


My response:

Daniela,

I have been there with the class that seems so hard to reach.  It is not a great place to be.  I think that you have the right idea in thinking about seeing what they are passionate about.  Sometimes it is hard to find passion in the uninspired, but once you do that you will have them for life.  My advice, sit back...take a deep breath...and listen to them as they talk...their passion will reveal itself to you!

Heather

PS:  I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this book was written for them.  It is such an awesome feeling to find a book that speaks to you!  I've been reading excerpts to anyone that will listen to me!!

Wk 3 Response to Christine

Like my mic??

Christine wrote:

Practice 5: Leading from any chair

This practice was a great reminder for me.  As parents we often forget to let our kids lead.  As mom, I am the director.  I call the shots, but I also cook dinner, do laundry, pay bills, play counselor, supporter, protector, chauffer, and on and on.  While reading this practice I was reminded that like any good director I should sit back and let me kids lead.  My youngest son Alex who is 12 reminded me the other day that I have told him several times that he could cook dinner, but in his words “it never works out”.  He is right on that.  I would like to say it is because he has other things to do, but often it never works out because of me.  I have either been to distracted or found it easier to do it myself.  In either scenario from the tone of his voice he has been left clearly disappointed.  I am so glad to have read about this practice.  It was the reminder I absolutely needed.  Alex and I are going to plan a night where he can “lead from any chair” and make dinner. 

Practice 6: Rule Number 6:  Don’t take yourself so goddamn seriously! 

This practice made me really laugh!  I think this is great for EVERYONE!

I know I definitelty take myself too seriously!  This will be my new Mantra!

Practice 7:  The Way Things Are:

With every chapter I read I fall more and more in love with this book.  I am a strong believer in things happening for a reason and timing being everything.  In general I would say I am a positive person.  However, in the past several weeks my stress level has increased and I have found myself more and more frustrated with the way things are.  Usually, I can find peace and acceptance with the way things are and am able to continue moving forward.  However, recently I have found myself being more frustrated than usual and less patient.  These feelings leave me feeling overwhelmed and disheartened.  Neither of which I like feeling. While I was reading this chapter, I began to see these changes.  I am so glad that I have read this.  The reality of life is that things are the way they are at times and it is at those times that we have to take a deep breath and remember it’s the way things are today but not necessarily the way they will be tomorrow.  Finding acceptance today gives you the power to accept tomorrow. 

Practice 8: Giving Way to Passion:

As I was reading this chapter, I was aware that this is one area I must work on.  I have no identifiable passion.  Perhaps that is because I have yet to participate.  I can think of things I enjoy and those things I would like to do, but I am the master at ignoring or discouraging myself from participating.  For example, I like to sing.  I don’t have the confidence.  I have been told I have the ability, but when it comes to it I am afraid.  As I was reading this chapter I stopped and asked myself, “What am I afraid of?” The answer was not being good enough or failing.  As I made this realization it occurred to me, that I may or may not be good enough, but unless I participate I will never know.  I liked the concept of BTFI.  Beyond the Fuck It is where I need to go.  I need to hold my head up high, and sing if that is what I want to do.  This is a chapter I will definitely read again!

My response:

Christine,

Getting out there and doing what you love is always a scary thing...it is intimidating to put yourself out there and see what the response is.  My motto:  This is what I love, if you don't...screw you (PG version here).  It has taken me years to get to that point, but once you are there it is so liberating! I love to sing...I am a horrible singer (smoking for a few years killed my voice)...I sing anyway.  I sing loud, I sing proud and I don't care the looks I get (I once had someone a few cars behind me that knew me who called my phone and told me to put my windows up b/c she could hear me from her car...I sang even louder).  The hardest part is HONESTLY not caring what people think, if it makes you happy.  I think that you are at the beginning of this realization and I hope you continue down that road.

All my best,
Heather

Wk 3 Response to Reading: The Art of Possiblity

Remember Rule 6
Image downloaded from
Microsoft ClipArt Gallery

 

 

 

As a teacher we are always “leading from a chair”.  I can’t make my students learn, I can’t make them succeed.  My goal is to guide them, engage them, and help them create that inner desire to succeed on their own.  I understand the idea of asking what is wrong with me if they are not succeeding, but I also think that this can take away some of the personal responsibility of the students.  Students need to also participate for the relationship to work.

I love, love, LOVE Remember Rule #6.  I totally live by this!  I vow to never take myself too seriously and try to lighten up the mood with humor whenever possible.  I have found that this helps to ease tense situations…also defusing a situation with humor often times allows both parties to leave with their dignity (save face).  I am also not opposed to their Have the best ______ ever scenario ::wink, wink::

I also found the inner battle between the calculating self and central self very intriguing.  After reading this, it was easy to ascertain which self tries to be dominant in certain situations.  While I usually stay in the central self, there are time where I find my calculating self trying to rear it’s ugly head.

The way things are is such a difficult concept sometimes.  There are times when you just want to vent, cry, scream and not accept the injustice of certain things.  However, in the end, there usually isn’t much you can do to change the situation, only your reaction to that situation.  I try to highlight this with students when we talk about childhoods and the situations in which we were raised.  I was raised in a difficult situation, where I was always in that survival mode with a drug-addicted parent until I entered the 6^th grade.  I told my students that I could have held onto this difficult background and let it guide my adult life.  Instead I chose to realize that this was the situation and that I could rise above it…I didn’t let my inability to change my past alter my future.