Friday, May 9, 2008

Crisis/Opportunity


The Chinese Character for Crisis includes the Character for Opportunity. It might actually be Danger = Opportunity. Or, it may or may not be true. Some say this is a "New Age" urban myth. Only those that can read Mandarin can be certain of the blended concepts here. No matter. In crisis there is often opportunity; that's the important thing.
Think of all the crises going on in your world, in your life, on the planet, in your mind. Nice to know that all are potential opportunities. That may be where the danger comes in. The danger of doing nothing. The danger of status quo. Complacency= no opportunity.

My top five crises:

War- not the answer, only mythology, terror, violence, breakdown of communication
Leadership-Help is on the way.
Present economic reality- make changes, give something back, drive less, move your ass, value the natural
Education-it's not what you cover, it's what you uncover; testing isn't teaching; harder does not mean relevant, curiosity, curiosity, curiosity.
Thoroughbred breeders- strength and stamina before all else. Greed makes winners lose. Greed is ugly. Greed dehumanizes.

1 comment:

Cameron McPherson Smith said...

>>
Education-it's not what you cover, it's what you uncover; testing isn't teaching; harder does not mean relevant, curiosity, curiosity, curiosity.
>>

these are all interesting, but this one will be floating higher than the rest for me. it;'s good to be reminded of these principles on occasion, even if only to validate my own teaching style, which does focus so much on material *not* in the text that i often wonder, "am i really giving them what they need?" then i read something like this, and think, "yes, i'm doing well for them". cheers, cameron

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