Tricia Atkinson wrote:
Wow, these last chapters were a lot to take in! Just when I thought my personal reaction could not possibly be more profound, the Zander’s prevailed with more stories and more implications of living a life of possibility. Most notably were chapters 10 and 11 when adversity was discussed in more detail, including the analogy of self as a game board (versus the typical interpretation as a participating piece). I will admit, when the idea of mutual responsibility in every situation was introduced, I felt some indignation. I mean, who doesn’t want to ostracize the drunk driver or the blatantly rude reaction or the frequent absentee. But how fascinating to think about their perspective and how it will not improve attitude and happiness by being upset and throwing blame.
As easy as it is to get into a downward negative spiral towards my students, blaming them for their negative, rude, and apathetic actions. But what about what I have done to contribute? What about my negative sarcasm or mediocre effort? Not to mention what they have eaten lately or when the last time is that they got a hug or “good job” from a parent? Trying to remember myself in each other person’s shoes will help me to react with a more enlightened attitude, just as Ben did when his students partied in South America. What would it have helped to “go off” like so many of us teachers are expected to do. Instead, the kids understood, felt enabled, apologetic, regretful, and still valued. Amazing. This Art of Possibility stuff is definitely not second nature in the world of modern education, but I feel like a breath of fresh air, a reminder of options and how to go with the flow, giving students and others in my life the benefit of the doubt, has been given to me…I am inspired and grateful.
Link to Tricia's Post
Tricia,
You are so right and so perceptive. I
too felt indignation at the thought of blaming myself for what was done to me,
but Zanders is right, the blame game doesn’t make the world a better place. We
live in a litigious society that is always looking for someone to blame. Ask
any student who is failing and he will tell you, he is failing because the
teacher didn’t teach him. Ask any teacher why the student is failing and they
will say the student failed to learn. Not that we, as teachers, need any more
responsibility, but they didn’t learn because we failed to enroll them into the
possibility of learning. Granted, some of this is beyond our control, to which
we need to cut ourselves a little slack…how fascinating.
I was thinking, “How do we inspire them?
How do we ignite the fire, even when it’s raining?” What came to me as an
answer was remarkable simple: Why are we trying to light a fire, when we have
electricity? We need to continue to integrate the current technology into the
classroom and teach new things in new ways. Continuing to rub two stick
together to try to make fire doesn’t make sense in the modern world in which we
live. The new things that we teach need to include choices that will allow
students to discover their passion for learning.
Students don’t like change anymore than
teachers, but learning to adapt to change is going to be important for the
unforeseeable future. Creating the framework for the universe of possibilities
and constantly assessing whether we are staying on track becomes our guiding
force. From my perspective, I’d rather be the board, than get hit upside the
head by the board :-)
Indignation. Righteous anger—yep, that’s what it is.
ReplyDeleteI’ve had to deal with several things the past few years that haven’t just seemed to me monstrously unjust but been documented by “Impartial Observers” to actually BE monstrously unjust. (Ask me about the Batmobile some time.) And this stupid book has me asking—not for the first time, but maybe with a touch more courage to hear the answer—what the heck I’m doing to precipitate this. I still don’t know. It doesn’t make sense to me.
But that’s where my calculating self has taken over; see, if I could get it to make sense, the unfairness would surely have to give way to sense, wouldn’t it?
Talk about stupid—how do we manage to cling to nonsensical ideas like that????
I’m not editing that out because I am making a—not a commitment, but an effort—toward transparency. And that’s what I said to myself.
What is, is. I cannot control the forces that create injustice and unfairness in the world. What I can control is my commitment to Rule #6. What I can control is my thoughts: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” has been the “watchman to my heart” this last 6 weeks, and I am beginning to see fruit. (I heard a nurse explain once that emotions are chemical responses to our thoughts—and that we absolutely could not control the chemicals, but we COULD control the thoughts that produce them… with some practice!)
I’m a little irritated at myself this afternoon that my “responses” to other people have been—just say it like it is, Deb—all about me. But then I heard another thought: that when something I say sparks learning & insight in someone else, I feel satisfied; I feel I’ve succeeded at my job. I hope you feel that way now. I’m having a hard time today, and you just made it easier. Thanks.