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| http://social-creature.com/how-to-stand-in-the-face-of-powerlessness-for-a-new-generation |
In Zanders’ Seventh Chapter of The Art of Possibility both Ben and Roz takes the
reader on a “journey of possibility” by given examples and experiences that shows
us how we take negative experiences and turn them into “walls” of challenges
instead of paths toward our journey of possibility. The antidotal quotes and stories
they use seem common sense, many of which we know. They have a
way of helping you understand why it is “OK” to view the world from the
“glass half-full” view instead of the opposite of half-empty. The focus of view
that we should take should be on what is positive about the circumstance.
In that ay we can focus on what moves us forward and not what holds us back.
I made an emotional connection as well as had an “Ah ha!” moment when reading the
chapters of this assignment at two points. The first point; I teach teachers technology
integration and continually hear from some teachers, “I can’t do this stuff”, “I’ll never
understand this technology”, where am I going to get the time to practice”, or my favorite,
“I haven’t needed technology in all these years, why do I need it now?” For most of these
teachers their focus was on the “wall” or the technology. Many could not see the possibility
in advancing themselves or their students through its use. Zanders’ explanation helps me
to understand my role as an educational leader to reach them. Teachers often fear
technology because they are afraid to make a mistake or “break” the computer. Zander
says it is difficult to maintain an approach to things positively, “…in our competitive culture
where so much attention is given to mistakes and criticism that the voice of the soul is
literally interrupted.” This is where my leadership skills come in to make them feel secure
both in training and when they return to the classroom.
The second point of encounter came from Roz Zander’s discussion of “The Wall”.
In that section she talks about the “the wall” between a 16 year old boy and his parents.
She addressed how the more the father talked about the wall that the boy put up the more
the boy withdrew in the conversation. The only question I had when reading this section
was how did Roz Zander get in my house without me seeing her? I had a mirror reaction
to my now 25-year-old son when he was 15-16 years old with the same situation and
circumstance. The conversations always centered on the wall and not what caused the
wall or better still what would it take to fix it or tear it down. Discussions were usually
“downward spirals” that inevitably led to a higher
and thicker wall or as she puts it, “tend to look more and more helpless.” The
long story cut short, leads to our finally remembering how much we loved each
other and my realizing that he only wanted to be heard and seen as some value
to the family. The wall fell down.
I am enjoying the journey.
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