On the beautiful Journey of Education: Some Brief Thoughts :-)

As we gear up for 2014, I thought the role of Educators and these "thoughts" capture the essence of it all:

It is literally true that you can succeed best and

quickest by helping others to succeed.

- Napoleon Hill 

The truth of the matter is that

you always know the right thing to do.

The hard part is doing it.

- Norman Schwarzkoff 

I have found the paradox,

that if you love until it hurts,

there can be no more hurt, only more love.

- Mother Teresa

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him.

If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought,

happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

- The Buddha

It is not easy at times to do the right thing--but the legacy we leave as Educators is critical and we must never forget that.

Onward to 2014 with all the beauty and the hope that it has before it :-)

On the Continued Changes in Education

I began this "Blog Channel" to reflect upon the evolution in Education partly as a result of some professional training.    The evolution is never ending--the question is whether the "Revolution" will be televised as we bid farewell to 2013 and await what is before us in 2014.   This is a just a "snapshot" of what is to come:

SmartBrief for the Higher Ed Leader

December 19, 2013

http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/eWluCaxPtNCvsclUCidzaGCicNRmWa

 

STUDENT AFFAIRS AND ACADEMICS

* Md. colleges partner to provide veteran services

* Colleges in 4 states, D.C. receive support to improve STEM programs

* Report: Competency-based programs should be part of higher-education reform

ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT

* Federal panel recommends easing regulations on MOOCs

* College graduation rates rise in Ky. as those of low-income students fall

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

* Kan. regents implement new social media policy for employees

* Florida State University ranked as most financially efficient school

FUNDING AND GRANTS

* Why colleges must play to strengths instead of making cuts

Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others.

http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/eWluCaxPtNCvsclUCidzaGCicNRmWa

The essence of the Mission of Educators: A "Thought 4 the Day" :-)

“Work for a cause, not for applause.
Live your life to express, not to impress,
don’t strive to make your presence noticed,
just make your absence felt.”

~ Author Unknown

On Being Generous: The essence of being an Educator :-)

Some ideas courtesy of Keith Ferrazi:

Tip 376 - Be Generous

Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live. - Pete Seeger

A Profound Act of Generosity
You know I believe in generosity. If you lead with generosity, you build strong relationships and everyone wins. But recently, I learned about Dr. Theresa Welsh, a pediatrician from Pennsylvania whose remarkable generosity and selflessness has genuinely humbled me. That I could have had even a small role in her decision reminds me that, during this holiday season, we can always give more.
[READ ABOUT DR. WELSH'S GENEROSITY]
 
The Best Way to Get Something Is to Give Something They Need 
Continuing with the theme of “leading with generosity” … During his Social Capitalist interview, James Altucher, entrepreneur and best-selling author, told us how he develops ideas specifically to give to people he'd like to establish better relationships with. Altucher said we shouldn’t be scared of giving our ideas away: “When you give, you’ll receive – and that’s the only way you’ll receive.”
[READ THE BLOG POST]

On The Passing Away of Nelson Mandela....

Many around the World have been reflecting upon the life and legacy of Mandela.  As I have written in other "channels" of my evolving "outsiders" network,  my own life has been inspired by what Mandela did.   I was reflecting upon his legacy as I also reflected upon Education.   

All educators, in their own way, work to live up to this admonition from Madiba

"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead."

Some of his notable quotes were compiled by the Guardian of London.    How such a man could be so forgiving continues to startle me.   I pray that this "ordnary face" will continue to learn the lessons.

On the Need To Serve: A "View of the Week" as noted by Dr. Wayne Dyer

HOW MAY I SERVE? 

Asking this question can turn your life around. Thinking of others first—reaching out to them despite how it might inconvenience you—causes you to feel joy. This gift of feeling good (or feeling God) within comes from serving and surrendering rather than asking and demanding.

There’s no room for blame in your life as long as you live with kindness. Blaming your past. Blaming the economy. Blaming your perceived personal flaws. Blaming God. Blaming your parents. Blaming your children or your spouse. Blaming your DNA. There’s no shortage of circumstances, people, and events to blame—and there’s no shortage of blame itself.

When you shift to compassion, all blame disappears. So no matter what you may want for yourself, discover how you can want it more for someone else, and then make that shift. In that contemplative moment, compassion will eradicate finger-pointing. And you’ll begin to think like God thinks: serving, offering, giving, and loving freely.

I’ve certainly found that when I remember to nurture kindness and courtesy, everything in my life seems to move toward more harmony and peace, to say nothing of how much better I feel when I’m giving rather than wanting.

I heard the Dalai Lama speak on compassion some years back, and the essence of his message contained these two points:

1. Compassion is the single most important quality that humanity needs to learn. This is the way to find happiness and health and to feel successful.

2. War and violence would become extinct in one generation if, beginning at the age of five, children were taught to meditate on compassion for an hour a week for the rest of their lives. Such is the power of a compassionate approach to life, which is truly thinking of others and living by the ancient Golden Rule.

The very second you feel yourself retreating to blaming and making excuses, repeat the mantra How may I serve? Then act upon the answers you receive. You’ll become aligned with the universal mind, which is always giving, and the bonus is that you’ll notice the universe asking you back, “How may I serve you?” As your compassion for others flows back to you, remember the truth I’ve written about many times: You do not attract what you want; you attract what you are. So make compassion be what you are.

Suggestions for Living from Compassion

Upon awakening, let the words Thank you flow from your lips, for this will remind you to begin your day with gratitude and compassion. Make it a practice to begin each day by thinking first of someone else and then making a decision to actively do something, anything, that will bring a smile to his or her face. When you become conscious of wanting to do something kind for another human being, you move into a higher way of being. It takes your thoughts off yourself and What’s in it for me? and puts them on How may I serve? which is precisely how the universal mind we call the Tao or God is always operating. When you’re aligned with a compassionate outlook, your entire day will reflect this kind of awareness.

If you believe as Martin Luther King, Jr. did that our culture needs restructuring and that compassion is the way, I urge you to work toward electing people to public office—at all levels—who relate sensitivity and kindness in their messages to the public. Look for the compassionate heart, rather than the one that excludes, punishes, seeks revenge, or manipulates with government power. The more our institutions reflect this humane attitude, the fewer collective excuses we will call upon to explain why we haven’t been able to create the heaven on earth that is our true calling.
As I’ve frequently stated, the active repetition of an inner mantra reinforces and creates exactly what you’re saying to yourself. Therefore, repeat the following to yourself for at least five minutes: I am a being of compassion. I extend love outward everywhere because this is my nature. Affirm this to yourself continually, and post it in a prominent place in your home, your office, or even your car.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us the ultimate words of compassion. If our world today would put them into practice, we’d all be living in peace. But even if the rest of the world hasn’t yet caught on, you can. I urge you to put these words to work in your life today; if you do, all excuses will most certainly vanish:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5:43-44)

This is compassion in action!

A Brief History Of 7 Social Networks (And How They Used To Look) [PHOTOS] - AllTwitter

A Brief History Of 7 Social Networks (And How They Used To Look) [PHOTOS] - AllTwitter

Lean Warehousing

Pulling Together

As I play "catch up" this week on #OCL4Ed, it seems as if the essence of the message of this little clip says it all that I wanted to begin the day with..."onward" :  Pulling Together

Notations On Week 1//Preparing 4 Week 2 @ #OCL4Ed

The notion of a reflective practitioner is a fact of life in my work as an Educator.   As I have continued to think about the extent of the work here and the "Freedom", I see no other way around it.   The continued revolution, though, that we are deliberating in OCL4ED is overwhelming in a major way.

What is being reflective?  It is by having a sense of the World and recognizing how a "World View" helps to transform us as we know it today.   Theory is wonderful and embracing it is very much part of the Educational Experience.  However, Theory without fact and a realistic sense of where things are will not serve to educate and enhance the level of knowledge necessary for ultimate success.

There is one challenge in reflective education.  That challenge has to do with the simple notion of subjectivity. Sometimes one's experience does allow a sense of  tunnel vision which may prove to be detrimental to the essence of Education itself.   That's the dilemma that we have to balance as we keep an open mind.

So much to still reflect upon as we continue our ongoing dialogue here in #OCL4Ed.

A "V-Thought 4 the Week" As # OCL4Ed Continues: Never quitting :-)

Thinking about #OCL4Ed led me to revisit this so that all of us realize never ever to give up:

Don't Quit Poem Movie: If I had to guess, I would bet you are facing your fair share of challenges and obstacles in your life... I know I am. When things go wrong, and they sometimes will... how will you choose to respond? That is what this short movie is all about. Be inspired by these words of wisdom if you are thinking of quitting.

About to Begin a Very Interesting Journey w/ OCL4Ed (2013.09)

The need to create a sense of Democracy in Education is ever more important in our changing world.  This is why I have begun my journey as I have joined OCL4Ed (2013.09) which begins on Wednesday September 4.

The opportunity to somehow get engaged, reflect upon the work and also have an opportunity to network with fellow evangelists around the World is exciting indeed.

As Diane Nyad has noted, Onward....