http://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_bezos_gifts_vs_choices.html
Bezos, Amazon founder, talks about the gifts we're given, the choices we make, and the interactions of the two.
Thought-provoking, especially his series of questions at the end of the speech.
Good stuff!
7/28/10
7/20/10
July 20th
BTW, check out Dudecraft's post today--art, kids and cool paper dogs.
www.Dudecraft.com oh yeah.
www.Dudecraft.com oh yeah.
Yet another tiny house
OK. I realize these tiny house posts don't have much to do with education--except in terms of educating for a good life--but some of these places are too good to pass by.
Here's a video of a tiny house which has won architecture awards--it's as beautiful as finely hand-crafted furniture. Check it out (video's about 3 minutes long).
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/98252799.html
Here's a video of a tiny house which has won architecture awards--it's as beautiful as finely hand-crafted furniture. Check it out (video's about 3 minutes long).
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/98252799.html
7/19/10
Learning Links, 4
Today's link is to a business book which packs great ideas into easy-to-read, short chapters. Written by Jason Fried and David Hansson, who are the founders of 37signals (a successful software company whose products are used by millions of people worldwide), ReWork offers practical tips for looking at how business is done and how to generate steady creativity. Good, solid, practical ideas that translate well into the world of education.
In fact, I bought the book because there's a quote on the front cover by my current favorite business writer, Seth Godin: "Ignore this book at your own peril".
Well....perhaps not 'peril', exactly, but it's well worth a read.
ReWork, Jason Fried and David Hansson.
Check out Godin's blog for great, short, daily posts about business & creativity: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
In fact, I bought the book because there's a quote on the front cover by my current favorite business writer, Seth Godin: "Ignore this book at your own peril".
Well....perhaps not 'peril', exactly, but it's well worth a read.
ReWork, Jason Fried and David Hansson.
Check out Godin's blog for great, short, daily posts about business & creativity: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
7/18/10
Learning Links, 3
A different way of measuring success...Chip Conley, "We count numbers, we count on people. What really counts is when we actually use our numbers to truly take into account our people.....What one thing can you start counting today that actually would be meaningful in your life, whether it's your work life or your business life?"
Intrigued? More at the TED talk site:
http://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_measuring_what_makes_life_worthwhile.html
Intrigued? More at the TED talk site:
http://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_measuring_what_makes_life_worthwhile.html
7/17/10
Engaging the game
Thinking today about teaching in a public school classroom as a way of looking at life.
For many years, I've invested hours of my life each day in finding good material (songs, dances, tunes...) and preparing ways to introduce music & dance to children, to hone their skills, to make it come alive for them. Working even harder to hone my own skills and understanding, so that I have a hope of being effective in what I do each day.
On most fronts, it still feels as though I have lots of work to do, to substantiate my dream.
Teaching and learning are primarily vehicles for me. A way of being with others that encourages all involved, encourages us to open minds and lives to the joy of creating, to the sheer joy of being alive and able to be a part of music and dance...and art, reading, sports, nature, community, science,business, play...all of it. To flourish, no matter what the 'outside' circumstances of our lives may be.
It takes work--for all of us, it takes work to teach and to learn. Investing ourselves, putting in the time to learn our craft, passing that along to others and learning in that process, too. Learning to live as fully as we can, wherever we are.
Learning to, as a good friend of mine likes to say, "engage the game". How lucky are we, to have that chance to create, each day?
For many years, I've invested hours of my life each day in finding good material (songs, dances, tunes...) and preparing ways to introduce music & dance to children, to hone their skills, to make it come alive for them. Working even harder to hone my own skills and understanding, so that I have a hope of being effective in what I do each day.
On most fronts, it still feels as though I have lots of work to do, to substantiate my dream.
Teaching and learning are primarily vehicles for me. A way of being with others that encourages all involved, encourages us to open minds and lives to the joy of creating, to the sheer joy of being alive and able to be a part of music and dance...and art, reading, sports, nature, community, science,business, play...all of it. To flourish, no matter what the 'outside' circumstances of our lives may be.
It takes work--for all of us, it takes work to teach and to learn. Investing ourselves, putting in the time to learn our craft, passing that along to others and learning in that process, too. Learning to live as fully as we can, wherever we are.
Learning to, as a good friend of mine likes to say, "engage the game". How lucky are we, to have that chance to create, each day?
July 16th
I've been talking with a friend who's just graduated from college, and is searching for the next step in life.
Listening to her struggle with the dichotomy between what makes her come alive
(roots music & dance) and what she's 'supposed' to do (graduate work: 'serious academic study').
Listening as she tries to reconcile herself to committing hours of hard work and thought towards mastery of something which doesn't completely fit with her creative energy.
Acknowledging her utter ability to succeed--brilliantly--in either area.
Knowing that there's not much more I can do to help her find her way, except to listen with care.....
and thinking, with gratitude, about how many times others have given that exact same gift to me.
Just sayin'.
Listening to her struggle with the dichotomy between what makes her come alive
(roots music & dance) and what she's 'supposed' to do (graduate work: 'serious academic study').
Listening as she tries to reconcile herself to committing hours of hard work and thought towards mastery of something which doesn't completely fit with her creative energy.
Acknowledging her utter ability to succeed--brilliantly--in either area.
Knowing that there's not much more I can do to help her find her way, except to listen with care.....
and thinking, with gratitude, about how many times others have given that exact same gift to me.
Just sayin'.
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