Week 1

Wk-1 Comments on Zander Presentation on TED

Comments about Benjamin Zander on TED: Impulses were reduced over time. Trouble is two-buttock player; you should be a one-buttock player. I transformed my entire company into a one-buttock company. Play with the music. Let the music move you.

It tells me to go with the flow, go with how you naturally feel, practice, improve, and then continue to improve throughout life, rather than settle. A quote comes to mind here, “Something in human nature causes us to start slacking off at our moment of greatest accomplishment. As you become successful, you will need a great deal o self-discipline not to lose your sense of balance, humility, and commitment.” ~ Ross Perot

Believe in yourself, have confidence, be a leader. Believe in the power of impulses. In this TED video, Zander is a well planned, confident, great presenter and catches the interest of viewers.When he said to think of somebody who is know longer there, I immediately thought of my Uncle. “I miss you pal!” I started to sway naturally with the music, eyes closed reminiscing of how my uncle was such a joy to be around.

This video teaches me to be true. It teaches me to continue to be enthusiastic and believe in your teachings. Similar to what Zander had said about Martin Luther King with I have a dream, what if I went taught a lesson and I wasn’t enthusiastic.

Upon finishing his musical demonstration, he stood up and began clapping to the audience, but why? Zander asked an elementary student, “Why was I clapping?” The little boy said, “ cause we were listening. “ Listening, understanding and being moved by Chauper. His clapping was definitely out of the ordinary; therefore, but it demonstrated the art of possibility. His clapping to the audience had such an effect that they clapped louder, smiled, stood up and gave him a standing ovation. According to another student who had never let it out for his deceased brother, he told Zandler, “It felt really good to cry for my brother!”Zandler loved what he saw…”Shining Eyes!” His purpose in life is to see shining eyes.

Wk-1 Art of Possibility Ch.1-3

Chapter 1. It’s All Invented: How can we think outside the box we live in? What assumptions are we making that we’re not aware that we are making? What might we invent that would give us other choices?

My comments: I recently purchased a property in center city Philadelphia.  Many of my friends assume that I must be making an incredible salary in order to do this.  I earn a modest living.  The only way that I was able to afford this property by co-owning the property with a cousin of mine.  I even needed to get a loan from my brother, which both, my cousin and I had to pay off with interest.  Nothing tangible comes to mind for inventing in order to make us realize this, but rather simply educating yourself.  I’m very lucky to have had 3 older brothers that had somewhat brainwashed me into buying before renting.  Toes to nose, look for the boat comes to mind.  My brothers, buy, don’t rent, then have someone rent with/from you.  

Chapter 2. Stepping into a Universe of Possibility: We live in a world of measurements. The Zanders recommend that when we look at how different things appear we can see them as possibilities. How are your thoughts and actions a reflection of the measurement world?

    My comments: How are my thoughts and actions?  My thoughts and actions currently are to attain the level of graduation from this master’s program, which is measured.  Also thinking about my current (possible) loss of a job and possibly finding work to survive.  I’m very much out of the realm of possibility, which is good to admit because this is eye-opening.  On the other hand, I’m very happy to be more open-minded and focus on the idea that there are plenty customers out there for me to teach, rather than focus on what I have previously stated.

Chapter 3. Giving an A: Giving Yourself an A.

   My comments: The giving of the A expressed partnership and teamwork, giving yourself wholly to developing.  Thinking back of the Asian student that was, I believe #67 of 68 in his class, yet confused because now in America, he was an A student, he pondered back and forth and then decided to be the A student.  It’s the art of possibility that we invent for ourselves.  This makes me think of those that excel in different fields.  Professional athletes, singers, artists, and even the Zanders themselves.  Each must have either individually thought that they were an A in that chosen field, or may have been given compliment by family members, friends, teacers, coaches, business partners, etc., which brought them their current status.  


WkX Comment: Comment @ Charles Mills
Charles writing:

I don’t read much at all.  Though I enjoy reading, my life is so busy I find it difficult to find the time.  Over the years I have read very few books with the exception of the bible.  Many of my friends can’t understand this because their perception of the bible is that it is a book of rules, of do’s and don’ts, of penalties and judgment (hell, fire and brimstone), and weeping and gnashing of teeth (as one professor recently alluded to in a Wimba session).  These things are not what stand out to me. I see hope, redemption, forgiveness, compassion, love, and the fact that though I could never “measure up”, I am an “A”. 

Life on the other hand can cause me to lose faith when I lose sight of the right perspective.  I refer to not only spiritual faith, but faith in others…like faith in my students! When I consider my teaching career, with all its ups and downs, I can clearly see how I have allowed myself to be boxed in and consequently, have drawn boxes for my students to operate within.  It reminds me of an auto commercial that came out several years ago of a young driver being instructed to “stay between the lines”.  When the “lines” ran into a roadblock (traffic), the driver turned and went off road…and did just fine!  I rationalize drawing boxes for the purpose of “safety”, careful to protect my students and me.  Most of it is because of a few minor mistakes made when some “liberties” were taken with video projects.  Reflecting on the reading and considering my classes, I see that I have become judgmental and am limiting possibilities for my students.  Time to step outside some of the lines I have drawn and open my eyes to a world of possibilities for my students.

Shawn Kirby's Comment:

What you have written about the Bible is very interesting. I was born and raised Catholic. It's been a goal to read parts of the Bible, but I don't classify it as a book of rules, but rather wise information that can help you reflect about life. It seems like we're doing just that right now. We are reflecting about boxing ourselves in. To be in the realm of possibility is a great challenge throughout life that I may conquer at times, but will need to reconquer again and again. Think about 8-4 or 9-5. They seem to be the common time frames that we as a society close ourselves in to work. Although Spain seems to be getting away from it more, I truly envy their "siesta" which is a break in the day. While it is true that you will not get home from work until a little bit later, it's also true that you don't feel as run down and burnt out.

WkX Comment: Comment @ Rebecca Day

Rebecca Day's comments on wk1 reading – What do humans perceive?

In their book, The Art of Possibility, Rosamund and Benjamin Zander say that humans "perceive only the sensations that we are programmed to receive."  That statement makes me wonder if different individuals perceive different things.  Its been proven that cats, dogs, and other animals see differently than humans, and according to the Zanders, its because they see what they need to see to survive.  But what about humans?  Does one human see things differently than another human?

After reading just the first few paragraphs of the first chapter and thinking about the statement above, I was reminded of the movie Mallrats.  There's a particular scene where Willem (played by Ethan Suplee) has been staring at a MagicEye 3-D poster for hours trying to see a sailboat, while everyone around him glances at the same poster for a few seconds and sees the boat with no problems.  Willem gets aggravated with everyone because they can see the sailboat and he can't. 

Shawn Kirby's Comment:
@ Rebecca Great video clip! I believe that life becomes routine for us. While we should strive to get out of the norm, I believe that we'll most likely get right back into it. Our perceptions work in mysterious ways. I teach Spanish. This year I had the pleasure of teaching a Spanish 4 class. Currently, the fourth quarter consists of famous hispanic artists. WOW! Their perceptions seem to change drastically and of course they are not different species. A critic once commented that Picasso's art was not realistic, rather it was limited and two dimensional. It lacked realistic features so he proceeded to take a picture of his wife from his pocket. Picasso looked at the man and said, she looks rather small and flat to me. I apologize if I was not directly on with this story about Picasso, but it truly opens your eyes to different perceptions.






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