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Yesterday I finished reading the first four chapters of "The Art of Possibility" and it blew me away. I learned that we must be open to looking at live with a positive perspective. We must open the possibility to us and those who are around us to do their best, to feel that we contribute to the bitterness of the people who are around us, to create a positive impact, and lasting impression to students, family, friends, etc.
It wouldn't be fair to write about each chapter, because they are linked to each other and it should be treated as a whole. And these are the first four chapters, I can't imagine the rest of the book. Every sentence that I read, every paragraph made me reflect and think of how I judge those who are around me, and those that judge me. Did I received an A? Did I gave an A? I was impressed how students attitude in the music class improved when they were told that they had an A, but, they have to justify why, by writing a letter saying how they changed to the better as a person after taking the class, and how they contribute to each others improvement.
Chapter 3 was like a hook to the jaw and knocking me down, like the question of which musician or song touched me deeply. Well, this chapter did. I began to reflect on my life and of those that are not around me and those who still are. This chapter, and the rest of the book can be applied to school, work(for those nagging bosses), sports, everything.
I hope that this week's reading open a world of possibilities to you....Salud!!!!
"This chapter, and the rest of the book can be applied to school, work (for those nagging bosses), sports, everything." This statement that you wrote sums up the first 4 chapters wonderfully! I remember in an introduction to this course (MAC) that it stated this book did not necessarily have to do with EMDT, but had to do with the thought process involved for personal success. The book definitely challenges our thinking and how to see the positives in life. Life doesn't have to have obstacles where we merely strut and fret our hour upon the stage and then heard no more. Instead, as Thoreau might agree, let us live deliberately, live deep and suck out all the marrow of life!
ResponderEliminarIn life, one should always think, speak in positivity. It tends to be a hard task to achieve but the end result is always a great one. I once read a book that explains how to change your mind from negative thinking to a positive one by changing the questions one asked oneself. The book is called Change your questions, change your life, (http://inquiryinstitute.com/) by Marilee Adams. In this book, there is a choice map that displays two paths, a learner path and a judger path. (http://inquiryinstitute.com/CM.pdf) The choices lead to path of either a negative pit of questions and the other to a mountain of positive thoughts. It was a great book.
ResponderEliminar"It wouldn't be fair to write about each chapter, because they are linked to each other and it should be treated as a whole." -- Loved this sentence, Rodolfo. Very great perspective...you are right. At the end of this week's reading, the underlying message to cultivate an open mind to possibilities and universal impact are all interconnected between the chapters. I shared the same deep reflection that the chapters bestowed upon me. I personally do not know how you judged others or how others judged you in the past, but I can clearly attest that you have given myself and all of our cohort an A since day 1. Your great sense of humor and positive optimism can be tracked in every wimba session you attended since Month 1. I can not think of no better contribution than your gift of impartial conversation. Salud!
ResponderEliminarRodolfo,
ResponderEliminarWhen I think about classmates who certainly "make a contribution" and bring positive energy to every class, you are right at the top of the list! From Wimba sessions to group projects to hilarious Google+ hangouts (complete with reindeer antlers) you have given all of us an A and allowed us to let our guard down and get creative. I appreciate all of your reflective thinking and your thoughts on the reading sums The Art of Possibility up very clearly. I look forward to the other chapters in the book and hearing what you think about them.
I'm so glad that the reading has really touched you and caused you to pause and rethink about your relationships and how you see things. It's a good book for that. Enjoy.
ResponderEliminar