The Zanders have a very common sense approach to life that obviously isn’t common among us. The anecdotes and connections to music are particularly insightful as I embark on new and uncharted choices in my life and career. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the practices discussed in the The Art of Possibility are biblical and it makes sense, as the author’s father was a student of the Bible and history.
The idea of enrolling others in our dreams is eye opening. Often when we make requests, we operate on the presumption of being turned down. I have heard myself say on many occasions, “The worst he/she can say is no.” I did this to make myself feel better, but did I really? Of course not.
In “being the board” I saw similarities between this new idea of responsibility and blame and being in God’s Will. Like being the board, being in God’s Will makes it possible to accept the circumstances of life knowing that those circumstances will yield positive results in the end. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.
What I enjoyed about the frameworks chapter was the whole idea of creating a vision and not division. In all honesty, mission statements do create a competitive spirit and while they may be designed to inspire, it typically is ignored. Now a vision is something that can be seen even if it does not exist at the present. To me, the vision resembles a five-letter word: F-A-I-T-H.
The Zander's story of their father's passionate recount of the Arab and Jewish peoples’ history and arrival in Palestine was interesting. Even more moving was the student’s response, “What a wonderful opportunity! What a privilege for both those peoples to share that land and that history!” What is that saying? Out of the mouth of babes come words of wisdom? Well, that young person definitely has it [wisdom]. What is ironic about division is that the multiple parties are often so similar. The “We” story recognizes the sameness that so often divides.
Ishia,
ReplyDeleteI honestly found myself a little confused on the Being the board concept initially. You put a spin on this that I had not thought of before. Ironically, I should have, as I have spend more than my share of time in the word and church over the years.....
I think on occasion In my quest to take the academic aspect of my work here for the last year serious and professional I read to much into the readings from that standpoint and don't always take time to dissect it and tell myself what it means in the context of my existence; I did it for my 9-12 chapter reading, and as I saw where my thought took my reading, I actually started mentally telling myself my words were wrong...that because it wasn't speaking from a certain context that it wasn't of worth! That is indeed a shame. …But the joy in this is that I could recognize the error; and my further saving grace is that I have these e-books for my library and I can go back and try again.
JCIII
Confession!!! I am guilty of assuming that I will be turned down when I ask for something. It's kind of how I deal with it. If I expect to be turned down then it's all the better when/if they say yes. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteIshia,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you’re writing and views on the topics, I also felt a little indifferent about the Being the board idea given within the book, and your spin helped me to view it slightly different as well as JCIII.
I absolutely appreciate the recap of the story and reflection showing words of wisdom out of the mouths of babes. Its true, we should run our adult lives with a heart as pure as a child, unfortunately I’m not so sure that it’s impossible.
Best of Luck to you!
Tyson