Uncertainty

It's amazing to see the human dynamics when people are threatened. Conflict that would typically be an avenue for growth becomes a hindrance to productivity. There should be comfort in knowing one's work is valued and important when the familiar landscape begins to fade away. There should be comfort in knowing one's best efforts to strive for best, not better will be rewarded when the dust settles. There should be comfort in knowing that one's deep concern about never settling for mediocrity (and turning out a better product each time the work day hums to a close) will solidify a place at the table. Even though everything will turn out alright, it's the uncertainty that fuels the conflict and makes the heart quiver.

Jumping right in

There's a lot to be said for jumping right in to a task and not thinking about it until confidence has been firmly set. There's an excitement to trying new things. It expands thinking and stretches the brain as the learning struggle takes place. This is occurring with the ESS Group and I think it will be an interesting experience.

Learning in Different Ways

I just spent 6 days at the International Quilt Festival and the learning was amazing. Not only did I learn new techniques to perfect my craft, I had an opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. My teachers were all engaging and experts in various techniques. It reminded me of the 21st century focus on innovation and creativity. While we all were required to develop a product, we were encouraged to take the basic model and enhance it based on our own creative vision--and out of that direction many exceptional products were shared.

Contributions

I'm very proud of my professional team. They are an impressive group who manage to bring in real revenue to the department. They all have a passion for their areas of expertise and make no excuses for their commitment to serve all demographics. I'm grateful for a new awareness regarding their abilities and efforts to advance the work of the ESS Group.

As we strive to work more collaboratively across content/groups, it is my hope that all members will be recognized for contributions that impact the entire group.

The workout experience

Made some observations today about health and fitness as I worked out at my neighborhood gym. Having belonged to the same fitness center for several decades, I've noticed some trends. First of all fitness is a way of life, a philosophy for some people. And whether or not they are healthier or have leaner, tighter bodies is beside the point. Some of the die-hard spa people look like they did some 26 years ago when I signed on the dotted line, the frontal pouch and the junk in the trunk still abides, yet they're attendance at the "spa" has not changed. They actually work out--treadmill, elliptical, yoga, pilates--they try it all. But their results are questionable from everybody's point of view. For many in this crowd it's a social outlet-they visit more than sweat.

Secondly, the personal trainers are not held to a "model physique" standard as they were when personal training became a fad. The sculptured body of the trainer was the selling point since the price to train with an expert was exorbitant.

Thirdly,complimentary fitness support and customer service has gone the way of the grave--it is dead and buried. Do an exercise wrong after the initial introduction to gym services--too bad, you're on your own.

So the true'gym rats" the ones who understand anatomy and the rules of true health and fitness can be observed giving free unsolicited support. (Interestingly enough the gym workers have from time to time hassled them) They are mostly 'old school' gentlemen who open the door for you, and help you on or off a machine. They can be found huddled together on the free weights, spotting for each other and inviting and respectfully encouraging the ladies, like me at times, who want a challenging workout. Today's workout, a good one, was in honor of them.

Gone too soon

Today marks the third anniversary of the death of my brother Courtney. He was an exceptional man, brilliant, gifted, talented, a prolific writer, the family historian, musician, artist. He lived life to the fullest, loved the outdoors, and saw the beauty in all of God's creatures big and small. An avid fisherman, he spent much of his time on the water when he wasn't traveling with family.

Some of Courtney’s friends once wrote that he was an amazing man who could get us off a deserted island if we were shipwrecked. Or if he couldn’t he would figure out how to turn the coconuts into manna from heaven. And they were right. He could filet a fish with marked precision, skin a rabbit with a few swift strokes of a knife, shoot a gun to hit any target and make a weapon out of a tree branch. He also could launch a boat into the water with ease and as my cousin Regina reminded me (unlike his 3 sibs or numerous cousins) at 16 years of age could back my grandaddy’s Chevrolet truck with cattle trailer attached, down the drive way, under the clotheslines and into the corral with great skill.

He had an exceptional memory, unmatched vocabulary-and remarkable "phraselogy." Identified as gifted in elementary school, he was extremely humble about his abilities. It was his great fortune that my parents recognition of his gifts (my dad with natural writing and musical abilities and my mom--a trained pianist with a gifted ear) sought out teachers who could meet his needs--and acceleration to a predominately white school found him matched with a teacher who compacted, tiered his assignments, and matched lessons to meet his interests.

He was often much smarter than his teachers (actually he was smarter than most folks period) and until he found a teacher who was not intimidated by his knowledge (and skillful enough to reroute his corrections) was often in trouble for correcting them before children and adults. The fact that he was always right really didn't help matters.

As he matured, he became a most considerate person and learned how to be respectful of his abilities. Extremly sensitive he cared about people and the critical issues in his community-making a difference in his home town. His entire community was devastated when he passed away.

He once wrote "Everything good that I could be, is because of special people in my life, not all family. I've tried to pass good attributes along."

I like to think although he was one year and 9 months younger than me that the best things in me are a reflection of him. He was a remarkable man who I miss dearly, and like my dad, a soul the Lord called home too soon.

A delightful time

I'm having a delightful time facilitating AKOM at a school with a receptive staff. Great conversation and interactive activities have all worked well. I suspect the afternoon will pass by more swiftly than the morning, The school is on a high because of their first ever Exemplary rating.
I like facilitation so much more than training--the rich conversation that occurs has such wonderful implication for further dialogue once I'm gone. It also puts the onus on the participants and reduces the " I'm it" role.
Although I'll be dead tired at the end of the day--physically and mentally-because facilitation does require 'nudging' responses and thinking ahead. I like that challenge--the mental leaps the mind makes when active, engaging dialogue is taking place. A wicked schedule is on the horizon after the PD wave is over--and I'm sure I will probably long for a few days intellectually kicking it with a group of nice educators.