MAC Week 2-3: Comment 2

GAIL MEBANE:

MAC Wk 2-1: Reading Post -- THE ART OF POSSIBILITY

 

Image from Morgue File:  http://morguefile.com/archive/display/120648

 
"Art, after all, is about rearranging us, creating surprising juxtapositions, emotional openings, startling presences and flight paths to the eternal."

--Rosamund Zander and Benjamin Zander, Authors of The Art of Possibility

In "Launching the Journey", the preface of the book, the authors introduce what the Art of Possibility is about.  It is about art and about the possibilities that exist to create and step into a new paradigm of our own design.  The authors offer an expanded way of thinking that exposes self-imposed limitations and dissipates them into a new reality of expanded possibilities.  I love this way of thinking because it is refreshing and inspirational.  I believe that thinking about possibilities and moving beyond established group think patterns and race consciousness is a way to break out of the norm of humdrum existence to full conscious acceptance of the fabulous, unexpected surprises in everyday life.  For me, it means being positive and consistently looking at the glass half full instead of half empty.  It means never giving up and remaining open to new adventures.   The authors have a vision that involves individual shifts in understanding and consciousness that spill over and make it possible to resolve group conflicts that may be in relationships, the community or the world.  Initially, in the first chapter, the authors introduce their concepts and present their vision to the readers.  Then, they explain that each subsequent chapter is provided as a way to reach the ideal of the vision through a particular practice presented in the chapter.   

Chapter one, "It's All Invented", deals with looking beyond the obvious and thinking outside the box.  The practice in this chapter is to ask yourself several thought provoking questions to reveal misconceptions and move beyond the limitations they impose.  The authors presented excellent examples including a dot grid that I had seen before.  Although, I had seen it before, I had forgotten the resolution until I saw it on the next page.  I will definitely put the practice provide in this chapter to work in my everyday life.

In the second chapter of the book called, "Stepping into a Universe of Possibility", the authors introduce the reader into the new paradigm; “a place to dwell where new inventions are the order of the day.”  Upon beginning this chapter, I felt like Alice in Wonderland.  I was reminded of puzzling, esoteric new thought concepts that have dazzled my mind in the past.  Although, I had heard and read many times, from many different sources that the universe is the field of all possibilities, I am now beginning to get a practical conceptualization of what that might really mean.  The practice in this chapter is clearly meant to be a breakthrough to new territory of the mind. 

Chapter three, "Giving an A", resonated very well with me as a teacher who is constantly grading students’ performance.  Giving every student an ‘A’ is certainly a paradigm shift.  However, the thought of mentally giving an A to others and the practice of giving the A that leads to looking for the good in others is certainly more than worthwhile.  I enjoyed this chapter thoroughly with all of the letters written by students who were assigned to image the future growth they achieved through what they learned in the class.  I thought that this was a brilliant idea and a great way to provide individualized learning experiences for students.  My take away from this chapter is to always look for the good in people.   

Chapter four, "Being a Contribution", presents the idea of moving away from competitiveness and the game it embodies, to a new paradigm of contribution.  I like the idea of looking at these two different contexts as games with players and rules.  Further, I appreciate the message that we can choose the games we play and make new rules for our lives.  I believe that being a contribution and making a difference are the reasons why we are here in this plane of existence.  I believe that we are here to learn how to contribute our unique talents for the unfolding of our own greater good and the greater good of our society.  

 

MY RESPONSE:

Very concise as usual Gail. I appreciated your insights behind each chapter and even thoughts within the chapter.

Imagine what a school would be like if every person in that school looks for the good in people, as opposed to saying "oh no! not that class again!"

Keep up the good work and keep thinking outside the box.