EDM613 Wk3, post 3: Response to Everett Jones

@ Follow me and learn - Wk3 Reading: Art of Possibilities Chapters 5 – 8 (original post by Everett Jones on April 11, 2011)

Photo by Jason Peglow

Everett: Your awareness that you want to restructure your life and relationships for the better is always a great step in the right direction. These kinds of books that inspire people to become more aware of their surroundings and to veer from their current negative actions and directions are fantastic. I wish you all the best in staying on the path to positivity. It is a hard path to follow and is often obscured by a lot life's challenges and other people's negativity. 

You comment about chapter 5 and the conductor who is so far removed from the orchestra that he doesn't hear the questions from people directly, but rather through others is one I find many teachers can relate to. How often do teachers stand at the front of the room and lecture and instruct for months and never really know who his or her students are or hears what they have to say? I know there are times I have been so caught up in the politics of education or my own life dramas that I forget that these kids have just as many (if not more) issues that impact their learning and involvement in my room. If we take the time to get to know them, often times their productivity blossoms because they know that we know who they really are. 

Thanks for your post. 

Wk3 Reading: Art of Possibilities Chapters 5 – 8 (Posted by Everett Jones on Monday, April 11, 2011) 

These chapters are really geared towards myself and friendships that I have.  The example in chapter 5 about the conductor that doesn't know his members of the orchestra personally, but would like to.  The members hold him in such a high esteem that they send messages to him through those in the hierarchy.  He receives all praise for how the orchestra sounds, yet he does not perform and instrument at the concert.  I think it is important to acknowledge all that are part of the larger picture.  Especially if they are all working towards a common goal.  The results tend to have a better outcome.  When people are acknowledge, they tend to have a personal stake in the goal and perform better.


Chapter 6 gave an example of how when we lift away our personal judgements of people, that we may see them in a more positive manner.  I honestly think that each person no matter how evil some may seem to be, possess at least one thing that is positive.  Sometimes focusing on that, brings out a person that we never thought we'd see.


I learned from reading these chapters that I have to set up my life and relationships so that positivity embraces them both.  My daily decisions and choices not only effect myself but those around me.  Focusing on those things that make me happy in life, can hopefully overshadow those obstacles that do not.