Wk 3 Response #2 MAC--to Carrie Kleber's post

Art of Possibility chapter 7-9
I found myself less inspired by the three chapters we read this week than the previous chapters. I’m not sure why, they had good ideas and practices to offer, but they didn’t reach out and grab me. That being said, I did have a few thoughts and reactions to share.
I have often found myself in situations where downward spiral talk abounds. Quite often, I’m the one doing it. It is so easy to get caught up in the negative of a situation, that you fail to see a way out. I like the idea of stating the facts of the way things are...not the opinions, but the facts, and then figure out a way to move on. I think sometimes teachers, myself included, get stuck on the way we see a non-responsive student, and can’t do anything else but complain and be frustrated. I’m sure we could be a lot more productive if we stated the facts, and then went from there. No, it won’t be perfect, but at least we can move on.
As I read through the chapter on passion, I had to admit that I often hold back and don’t let myself fully experience the moment. I’m not sure why, perhaps I’m afraid of looking stupid, but it’s something I would like to work on. I’d like to take a chance, and discover a whole new world.
Finally, there was the idea of lighting the spark. I found the story about Ben bringing the Philharmonic Orchestra to the failing school in London to be very inspiring. It’s amazing how things can work out when we quit manipulating and instead try and let people see our vision, and in turn allowing ourselves to see someone else's vision.
MY RESPONSE
Sheryl Floyd
Carrie,
Amen. I get caught up in downward spiral talk all the time--particularly with other teachers. It's always someone else's fault! But I am generally not a negative person! I truly always try to find the positive side to things and then I like to try to find the other side to something that might need figuring out. When I surround myself with negative people, I become one of them. I hate that. Thankfully, I have removed myself from this. Maybe I will be able to light some different types of sparks in the future!