Lighting a Spark-"The Art of Possibility"

Lighting a Spark: Since my universe of possibility includes reaching the lives of others by igniting a spark I must remember to enroll myself as much as possible into the lives of those seeking passion and engagement. Sometimes I find myself unwilling to participate because of past fears or my inability to see pass personal limitations. My most valuable contribution can be to relinquish my judgments and accept those who may be reaching out to light a spark inside of me.

Being the Board: Living my life as the board puts me in control of all of the things, which come into my playing field.  I decide what happens when things get moved around. My response determines what possibilities are available to me.

Creating Frameworks for Possibility: Climbing out of the downward spiral is the key to taking full advantage of the possibilities available to me. Recognizing that division feeds the spiral will help me change how people respond to me.  I want to that teacher who makes the abnormal the status quo.  Like the second grade teacher who shaved her head I want to take a flash of insight and change it into a possibility.

Chapter 12. I would like to think that I have been able to tap into my inner power and use it to make a substantial difference in someone’s life. I just do know for sure if that is the case.  I have played many roles including mentor, teacher, mother, and friend.  I would like to believe that I have had a role in helping some of the people I have known realize their dreams.

Leading from Any Chair -"The Art of Possibility"

Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: Making a difference in the people we influence each day requires only one thing: humility. According to Zander & Zander, “…a leader who feels he is superior is likely to suppress the voices of the very people on whom he must rely to deliver his vision…” (p. 67).  Zander provides a wonderful example of how humility can work to improve many relationships.  Leaders must acknowledge their mistakes and provided opportunities for constructive feedback. Listening to those who help us make our dreams a reality is a sign that we appreciate their hard work and respect their feelings. 
Chapter 6. Rule Number 6: Don’t take yourself so seriously: Live, Laugh, and Love is my family motto! I have this motto hanging in our dining room we walk by it daily as we leave and enter our home.  I think it’s a great way to remind my family to smile as they leave the house each day and when they return in the evening. I know that is helps me stay calm at work.  Working with middle schoolers has taught me how powerful laughter can be in the learning environment.  Twelve-year-olds take life very seriously.  They are passionate about their friends, cliques, clothes, grades, and social status. It’s part of the calculating being, which dwells inside each of them.  I often diffuse very heated confrontations by recounting the situation using humor.  Laughter often helps to lighten up the situation.  I never belittle my students by trivializing their problems I just help them realize the lighter side.  Most of the time this approach is successful. There are times of course when one of the parties involved is just not ready to give up the spotlight and the calculating self remains-understandably so, these are of course middle schoolers.  But for those who transcend and move to the next level where the primary focus is not gratifying some inner need to be part of the “in crowd” – their in lies an inner peace. A serenity, which comes only with knowing in that one moment, she has grown up just a little and has for first the time recognized her central self. 
Chapter 7. The Way Things Are: I think understanding that “The way things are” should not be an excuse for accepting substandard treatment or complacent living. I have spent some time at both ends of this continuum.  Expecting nothing, sacrificing happiness, and stifling my progress, so some else could operate comfortably in the world have been a part of my life for many years. I think this has much to do with the world of measurements and living in a place where others control major aspects of our lives.  Sometimes we lie to ourselves by saying “I gotta do what I gotta do” but this is not case.  Complacent lifestyles can be are not always as satisfying as they look. They become easy so we live out our lives according to what we know best – routine.  I think people are afraid to move outside of their routines because they fear criticism.
Chapter 8. Giving Way to Passion: I do not believe that I am actively expressing my true passion in life because I am not sure what that passion really is.  I have had this conversation many times with a very close friend of mine – Dr. Alison Morgan-Black (she is also a critical friend for my ARP).  I have shared with her while I am please with my career choice I am uncertain whether or not if this is my calling.  I think Amanda says it best “…beauty glimmered all around me, but nothing was defined” (Zander & Zander. P 118)

Zander, R. S., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston: Harvard Business School Press..

Thinking outside the box- "The Art of Possibility"

        Thinking outside the box we live in requires changing our experiences. Our experiences determine our perceptions therefore we can become bound by our limitations if we do not seek opportunities to expand those boundaries.  According to Zander & Zander “The frames of our minds create define-and confine-what we perceive to be possible”  (p. 15). We also create subconscious assumptions, which makes “…every dilemma, every dead end we find our selves facing in life, [appear] unsolvable” (Zander & Zander, p. 14). In order to change this perception we must create positive assumptions built around what appears to be impossible.  Simply put it does not matter if the glass is half empty or if it’s half full. It’s your attitude after you drink the water.  Your outlook determines what you invent. Inventing new experiences and possibilities will bring new choices and opportunities.

        My thoughts and actions are a result of the numerous measurements imposed on my life.  Making decisions about where to work and live are just two examples of decisions I have made based on these measurements.  I do believe however that measurements have helped me achieve a sense of security, stability, and maturatity.  Deciding where to live was based on the type of lifestyle I was accustomed to as a child.  Believing that I had to provide a certain type of home for my family, in a particular neighborhood was a result of measurements as well. While I am a northern girl to the core – I currently reside in the Southeast because this is where I “measure up” to those standards.  Accomplishing all goals are a result of one’s recognition of measurements. Within those measurements are indicators of success and I have used each one to make decisions and take advantage of all the possibilities available to me. However, according to Zander & Zander

     After ten years of teaching the “Giving Yourself an A” theory is something I have practiced numerous times but did not know what is was until I read this book.  Teaching requires that you develop and maintain the ability to see possibilities in all situations, even when it seems that all means have been exhausted. This is especially true when you have so many other factors like, unsupportive administrators, dissatisfied parents, and of course No Child Left Behind, to contend with; all different forms of measurements.  I teach my students to help each other.  My classroom is a community and it extends beyond room 210.  Each year I encourage my students to develop selfless attitudes and to help their peers do the same.  I think “Giving Yourself an A” is very similar to “paying it forward”.  You have to look beyond your limitations to make someone else’s day.  Once the ball gets rolling the possibilities are endless. Students extend genuine courtesies to peers from an intrinsic force, which is recycled time after time. 

      I will continue to maintain a positive attitude even when I struggle to see the possibilities.  Helping others reach a point where they too can see the possibilities is my focus.   Being a contribution is not about personal gain instead it’s about effecting change.  Each smile, kind word, and helping hand is a contribution. These small selfless gestures change attitudes and evoke possibilities.   
Zander, R. S., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.