Wk 4: Reading response to Charlene Swoboda's Post on the Art of Possibility ch 9-12

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Wk 4-Reading-Sparking Possibility While Embracing EmotionMy oldest daughter, a violinist, at the BSO backstage tour. This weekend I attended Artscape in Baltimore, MD, with my oldest daughter. We went on a backstage tour of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Building. Here she is, (a first violist) on stage, with light shining upon her. I love the warmth in this pic and it reminded me of conductor Zander's "catch the spark" idea. Her spark is obvious!

I have learned much from chapters 9-12 in the Art of Possibility. Most of them I accept and will try to incorporate in my life, while one thought left me wary.

If I am to trust that the evolution I set in motion will serve me over the long run, then I must be careful in making good choices for myself along the way. Some of this means to stay focused on long-term goals rather than short term, immediate benefit. It might be tempting to take a job that pays ok not doing my passion but if I do an internship or take a lesser paying job temporarily that offers further training doing what I love (and still make my bills), I’ll end up seeing my long term visions through more effectively.

"Certain things in life are better done in person." Zander (2010, p 123.) Hopefully I don’t forget this in the digital age of quick emails and tweets. I’m also a firm believer that anyone who meets me in person will understand my enthusiasm and passion (catch my spark.)

Referring to “failing schools” just perpetuates the downward thinking spiral that ensures they fail. We need to create better points of reference and titles for our programs and places of work for fruition. Titles should reflect the benefits we envision they’ll bring rather than what has already transpired as negatives from past endeavors. It becomes our identification and therefore part of expectations and assumptions that need to be debunked. What’s in a name? A lot!

As Zander (2010) suggested, I will imagine people as invitations for enrollment, stand by ready to participate, willing to move and be ready, offering that which enlightens me, offering the spark to others, adding to their own sparks to create the "we".
My youngest daughter reflects at Ground Zero OK-I’ve bought into most of what this book has presented until I got to chapter 10. Having read past it and through to the end, chapters 11 and 12 kind of explain some of 10 making it more acceptable. Maybe 10 was written to be shocking enough to capture readers’ attention, only to get partially retracted shortly afterwards?

“When we blame others we lose our power.” (I thought, according to previous chapters that all that perception of power was invented anyway?) I agree that if we always blame others, we don’t accept responsibility to make changes necessary for ourselves. Blame is a waste of energy for the most part. However, I don’t believe that “whatever happens is within the realm of my consciousness and choice” Zander (2010, p 142). Some things happen and we couldn’t fully fathom it all ahead of time.


Ground Zero-the brilliant 911 Memorial Case in point, I read the last book chapters as I was visiting the 911 Memorial last weekend, Ground Zero, in New York City (I think the architect Michael Arad and landscape design firm, the Peter Walker Group, were brilliant BTW.) No one can tell me that the people who went to work that day as usual could have imagined what was about to happen to them. Yes, we live in a world that includes terrorism and evil doings, but it’s unreasonable to go around assuming it is part of our daily living or not because our minds are busy with other productive things as they should be...

“If I feel resistance to the way things are as I’m present, if I feel wronged, a loser, or a victim, then I tell myself that some assumption I made is the source of my difficulty” Zander (2010, p 143).

I totally disagree. Things are difficult not only because we make assumptions (although sometimes that is true, granted), but also because we’re emotional human beings and that’s how we are made. To just experience circumstances as thoughts void of feeling isn’t realistic or healthy. We need to feel. We are made to feel. It’s how we experience that which touches us deeply for meaning. Even if the families of those who perished in the towers that day know that terrorism is a fact of life, it doesn't make it any less difficult in having lost the ones they've loved and still love.

I am surprised that a musical conductor would negate this since music stems from and relies upon passionate feeling in the originator of the music through its composers and performers, as well as the audience. I embrace that emotional connection that helps me relate to that which resided outside of my realization before. (Yes, I totally cry through good music, books, movies, and dance performances.) I accept that sadness, loss, and pain are difficult but necessary as they are part of life as I experience it, not because my assumptions are wrong, but because I feel passionately in a connected way! Difficulty is OK then and it happens regardless of my assumptions. I don’t seek it out expecting it or not expecting it, but experience it all, emotions included. The author approaches this subject with a way too logical approach that distances him from feeling with acceptance, if things just are the way they are indeed, as he claims them to exist.

The awesome Rebirth Brass Band we saw play this weekend at Artscape. Rebirth is a good way to end my comments on a book about the Art of Possibility!

What I’ve learned in my life, having lived with a physical disability (faulty collagen in my genes that doesn’t always hold my body together as it should) is to let go of assumptions and blame. Instead of focusing on loss, even though pain has been real, I’ve learned to focus on what I can still do in new ways (and after recent surgery). It’s all about focus, attitude, presence of mind, and flexing with life. I don’t have time for anything else because it’s not worth it. I think Zander would agree with that as it creates the most possibility in life.To learn more about EDS, visit the Ehlers Danlos Foundation.
SourcesZander, B. & Zander R. (2000). The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
pics by me, Charlene, with an i-pod and digital camera taken on trips last week to New York and Baltimore.
Posted by Charlene Swoboda at 2:23 PM
I have learned much from chapters 9-12 in the Art of Possibility. Most of them I accept and will try to incorporate in my life, while one thought left me wary.
If I am to trust that the evolution I set in motion will serve me over the long run, then I must be careful in making good choices for myself along the way. Some of this means to stay focused on long-term goals rather than short term, immediate benefit. It might be tempting to take a job that pays ok not doing my passion but if I do an internship or take a lesser paying job temporarily that offers further training doing what I love (and still make my bills), I’ll end up seeing my long term visions through more effectively.
"Certain things in life are better done in person." Zander (2010, p 123.) Hopefully I don’t forget this in the digital age of quick emails and tweets. I’m also a firm believer that anyone who meets me in person will understand my enthusiasm and passion (catch my spark.)
Referring to “failing schools” just perpetuates the downward thinking spiral that ensures they fail. We need to create better points of reference and titles for our programs and places of work for fruition. Titles should reflect the benefits we envision they’ll bring rather than what has already transpired as negatives from past endeavors. It becomes our identification and therefore part of expectations and assumptions that need to be debunked. What’s in a name? A lot!
As Zander (2010) suggested, I will imagine people as invitations for enrollment, stand by ready to participate, willing to move and be ready, offering that which enlightens me, offering the spark to others, adding to their own sparks to create the "we".My youngest daughter reflects at Ground Zero OK-I’ve bought into most of what this book has presented until I got to chapter 10. Having read past it and through to the end, chapters 11 and 12 kind of explain some of 10 making it more acceptable. Maybe 10 was written to be shocking enough to capture readers’ attention, only to get partially retracted shortly afterwards?
“When we blame others we lose our power.” (I thought, according to previous chapters that all that perception of power was invented anyway?) I agree that if we always blame others, we don’t accept responsibility to make changes necessary for ourselves. Blame is a waste of energy for the most part. However, I don’t believe that “whatever happens is within the realm of my consciousness and choice” Zander (2010, p 142). Some things happen and we couldn’t fully fathom it all ahead of time.

Ground Zero-the brilliant 911 Memorial Case in point, I read the last book chapters as I was visiting the 911 Memorial last weekend, Ground Zero, in New York City (I think the architect Michael Arad and landscape design firm, the Peter Walker Group, were brilliant BTW.) No one can tell me that the people who went to work that day as usual could have imagined what was about to happen to them. Yes, we live in a world that includes terrorism and evil doings, but it’s unreasonable to go around assuming it is part of our daily living or not because our minds are busy with other productive things as they should be...
“If I feel resistance to the way things are as I’m present, if I feel wronged, a loser, or a victim, then I tell myself that some assumption I made is the source of my difficulty” Zander (2010, p 143).
I totally disagree. Things are difficult not only because we make assumptions (although sometimes that is true, granted), but also because we’re emotional human beings and that’s how we are made. To just experience circumstances as thoughts void of feeling isn’t realistic or healthy. We need to feel. We are made to feel. It’s how we experience that which touches us deeply for meaning. Even if the families of those who perished in the towers that day know that terrorism is a fact of life, it doesn't make it any less difficult in having lost the ones they've loved and still love.
I am surprised that a musical conductor would negate this since music stems from and relies upon passionate feeling in the originator of the music through its composers and performers, as well as the audience. I embrace that emotional connection that helps me relate to that which resided outside of my realization before. (Yes, I totally cry through good music, books, movies, and dance performances.) I accept that sadness, loss, and pain are difficult but necessary as they are part of life as I experience it, not because my assumptions are wrong, but because I feel passionately in a connected way! Difficulty is OK then and it happens regardless of my assumptions. I don’t seek it out expecting it or not expecting it, but experience it all, emotions included. The author approaches this subject with a way too logical approach that distances him from feeling with acceptance, if things just are the way they are indeed, as he claims them to exist.
The awesome Rebirth Brass Band we saw play this weekend at Artscape. Rebirth is a good way to end my comments on a book about the Art of Possibility!
What I’ve learned in my life, having lived with a physical disability (faulty collagen in my genes that doesn’t always hold my body together as it should) is to let go of assumptions and blame. Instead of focusing on loss, even though pain has been real, I’ve learned to focus on what I can still do in new ways (and after recent surgery). It’s all about focus, attitude, presence of mind, and flexing with life. I don’t have time for anything else because it’s not worth it. I think Zander would agree with that as it creates the most possibility in life.To learn more about EDS, visit the Ehlers Danlos Foundation.SourcesZander, B. & Zander R. (2000). The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.pics by me, Charlene, with an i-pod and digital camera taken on trips last week to New York and Baltimore.Posted by Charlene Swoboda at 2:23 PM

My Response LINK:

Thank you Charlene for you honest interpretation of the writings. I have gone back to reevaluate this idea of the 9/11 happenings. I think that taking what you need from the book and letting the rest go is a good idea. After all, isn't that what we do on our life journey? Take the good, leave the rest. I am amazed at how all of our classmates connected with the authors, but particularly yours resonated. I love the picture of your daughter. I also went ahead and looked at your "dream space" video. I have been an art teacher for the last 20 years. I am excited at how you are incorporating new and emergent technologies into the field you love. This is an inspiration to us "art types." I wish we had chatted sooner. Good luck to you and keep in touch.