OPENED BOOK
© Imre Forgo | Dreamstime.com
© Imre Forgo | Dreamstime.com
Reflection
Chapters 1 It is all invented
and
Chapter 2 Stepping into a Universe of Possibility
I personally think that our world is all about social conventionalisms, in other words, everything is socially invented and established for example language, culture, and processes. Humans need to invent and create the rules and paths that can make them able to communicate, share, collaborate, and interact with others. Gifts such as intellect and common sense help human beings to create and re-create their world.
We live in a world where everything is measured. And I think that people’s interaction is most of the time based on each other’s expectations. People live their entire life with a huge weight on their shoulders; they live labeled by the expectations that their parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, spouses, employers, and in general society has. This is how we really live.
I think that it is impossible to completely eradicate measurements because we live in society and people need rules to interact. So the perfect mix could be to live freedom with responsibility. Living with inner freedom can make us aware and responsible of our actions and also have a better positive attitude toward our daily lives at home, school, work, etc. There are two ways to perceive and face things in life. For example, when we see a glass filled to the middle there are two ways of perceiving it as a glass half empty, and that perception demonstrates a passive and negative attitude and the other way to perceive it is half full when our attitude and thoughts are positive, constructive, and proactive. Seeing the glass half full will lead us to live in a universe of possibilities.
It is important that we give ourselves the chance and the time to re order ideas, as well as rethink situations from different perspectives so we can know our playing field and in that way we could be able to solve or change things. Further, sometimes we also loose the entire view and what we need to do is try to see the whole forest not only the tree and in that way we will analyze circumstances in a better way.
Reflection
Chapter 3 Giving an A
and
Chapter 4 Being a contribution
For me, giving an A was a perfect example of how people starting from the same circumstances and feeling part of a community use their freedom and express themselves in a better way. This is a great example of how we, as educators should create a sense of belonging in students and give them the chance to show themselves through their acts and thoughts.
Each person is unique and because of that its contribution is necessary and can make a difference. Life is about choices and we need to open our minds to the universe of possibilities. We just need to start seeing the glass half full. Positive thoughts and positive attitude attract positive outcomes, even though things don’t work as we planned them we learn from mistakes and we gain experience and that is the only way to evolve.
The glass of water analogy you used was a great example of how people perceive life. I agree with you that we need to give ourselves the chance and time to see our life in new perspectives. It’s interesting how this simple concept of looking at the glass half full can be difficult for many people to practice. I think this is something we have to practice daily so we don’t fall into a world where everything is measured.
ReplyDeleteImagine what the world would be like if we were all given an A in life! It would definitely create a better world, a world of possibilities. Imagine the things we could learn from each other, the things that would be created, and the respect we would have for one another. If we practice giving an A and being contribution, we would definitely live a better life.
Hey Luz, great comments about your thoughts on how everything from rules and paths to communicate have been invented by humans. This is so true, because it's in our human nature to try to understand things and put certain things into specific categories and rulesets. On one hand, I think that's a great thing, but on the other hand, I feel like that can limit our perspective on so many things. I agree with you in that it would be perfect to mix freedom with responsibility. I've always tried to look at life with a "glass is half full" mentality. Overall, really great post about this week's readings and the importance of reordering ideas and situations that we find ourselves in. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this interesting book!
ReplyDeleteLuz - I believe it has been a few times since in this master's program where persuaded thought, things happening around me and what I am involved with seem to all come together. I especially enjoyed reading the beginning of your post when you discussed human creativity and invention of their world. This may sound a bit "nerdy", but I just finished watching the series finale of the re-imagined "Battlestar Galactica" series that in a lot of ways addresses these same issues. I have been on this journey with these characters for a few months now, and have a devotion and emotional connection with them. One of the themes of the show is human nature and its ability to create but also to destroy. Without giving too much away, I think our unending need to preserve our race of humanity will always be there and brings us back to the essence of who we are as individuals and as a group of living beings. This book has made me think to realize that life can be re-imagined over and over.
ReplyDeletePS - What if the half-empty glass is one of opportunity to fill it, instead of negative? :)
great observations and reflections on the reading... I think that there is a benefit toward viewing the world as "real" as possible, but we have to acknowledge that on some level we are always "looking through a glass darkly." Not to be too flippant, some realize this and dispair, I choose to rejoice and enjoy what's in the glass. :-)
ReplyDelete