Monthly Archives: November 2012

Posted on November 24, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

This is interesting after watching the Black Friday crowds and some of the lack of listening. This morning I watched a PBS show and was introduced to the work of Harvard neuroscientist, Rudolph Tanzi. His work is done under the rubric of contemplative mindfulness. Listening and being present, an essential component of mindfulness, work together.

Waiting for the Karma Truck

According to NPR, the day after Thanksgiving is the National Day Of Listening. The concept stems from their highly successful StoryCorps Program, and the theory is that the most important way to honor someone is to listen to him/her. To hear a story with full attention, so intent that you could integrate it into a memory worth saving. Listening with your mind free of anticipated responses, shopping lists, wandering thoughts – can you quantify the value of such a gift? Can you imagine how much it would be appreciated?

Ask someone to tell you a story. If you are indulging in some quiet after the deluge of family and friends, listen to the silence. It too has a tale to tell. Our stories matter, they are our perspectives of personal history and seminal moments, unfettered joy and unhealed wounds. They define us far more than adjectives. They shape us far…

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A Place; A Space

Posted on November 23, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Recently, I began to consider the word organization and its meaning. We use it as a noun for the places where we work, learn, and play. Its root, organ, suggests life and interaction. Without all parts working together in some cohesive way, it disintegrates. As well, an organ, as a musical instrument, needs a human touch. Humans organize, work, learn, and achieve through a common purpose. When we fail, it is the humanity around us that helps us back to our feet.

This place–

This space–

Welcomes–

Beckons.

Cold, aloof–

Some frigid lover.

Not frantically clinging–

An anxious lover

Here one moment; gone the next

A capricious lover

No! Fully alive–

Not on life support!

Exudes a hearty warmth–

Healthy, vibrant.

It is the human touch;

A lover’s gentle embrace–

Arms hold close;

Not too tight

An invitation.

A place–

A space–

I want to be.

A place–

A space–

That calls me–

Gives me voice

Something in common.

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Posted in Community, Leadership, Learning Organizations, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged community, creativity, leadership, Learning Organizations, Mindful Practice, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on November 23, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

A great quote for a Friday. This is a great goal for every day; every moment.

Dr Bill Wooten

“Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

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Grace

Posted on November 22, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Although I am not American, I think this poem’s theme is universal. A colleague shared this lovely poem that speaks eloquently about today wherever we live. The poet is Rafael Jesus Gonzalez.

Thanks & blessings be
to the Sun & the Earth
for this bread & this wine,
this fruit, this meat, this salt,
this food;
thanks be & blessing to them
who prepare it, who serve it;
thanks & blessings to them
who share it
(& also the absent & the dead).
Thanks & Blessing to them who bring it
(may they not want),
to them who plant & tend it,
harvest & gather it
(may they not want);
thanks & blessing to them who work
& blessing to them who cannot;
may they not want – for their hunger
sours the wine & robs
the taste from the salt.
Thanks be for the sustenance & strength
for our dance & work of justice, of peace.

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Posted on November 22, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Today is American Thanksgiving. This was a great way of looking at being thankful; celebrate daily life. It reminded me of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. It also fit with yesterday’s post about celebrating education. What if I celebrated that most immediate around me daily?

Known is a drop, Unknown is an Ocean

Gratitude is a constant attitude of thankfulness and appreciation for life as it unfolds. Living in the moment, we are open to the abundance around us and within us. We express appreciation freely. We contemplate the richness of our life. In life’s trials, we seek to understand, to accept, to learn. Gratitude is a continual celebration of life!

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A Child Sits

Posted on November 22, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Several years ago, during a lively family discussion about war, I was asked where I stood. Peace is simple, yet apparently unachievable. I am opposed to war on the grounds there is a Commandment: “Thou shall not kill!” This underpins all Abrahamic traditions which guide Judeo-Christian and Islamic faiths. Furthermore, this premise is central to the Golden Rule which is universal. Who suffers? Inevitably, it is the weakest, the most vulnerable.

A child sits–

Shivers

Is it the cold?

Hunger

Loneliness, fear

So fragile and weak

In desperate need.

Amidst war’s carnage–

No refuge

Only chaos

Military heroes wreak havoc

Who is the toughest?

The biggest bully?

Kick sand in a child’s eyes.

There is no right side

Real courage

Begs and pleads?

Stop

Wanton, senseless

Violence and death!

Who gains?

It does not take a hero to order bombs lobbed into civilian areas of cities. Nor does it take a hero to hide behind women and children when bombs are lobbed. Last night, I heard a talking head on TV ask who has the moral high ground. Is there really one when the objective of both sides is to punish the most vulnerable. What a silly question. There is no moral high ground in war only criminality.

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Posted on November 21, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

This is an interesting concept. It probably can be done on a daily basis and could be genuine if we all worked together. This would be a great way to reward those in the classrooms if it were done well. I mean celebrate the accomplishments of children and their teachers. Together, they share the potential of co-creating a new world in each moment.

3D Eye

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela

There are good people in all walks of life. In education there are some really good people, who have committed their lives to nurturing future generations to enjoy learning and continue with learning throughout their lives. As a nation, we celebrate sporting achievements and attend a range of musical festivals but rarely do we come together to celebrate education.

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
Aristotle

This weekend was the inaugural “London Festival of Education” at the Institute of Education. Over 1500 people attended this event, with both participants and speakers giving freely of their time and money. Spending time in the company of like-minded folk is rewarding in itself. Being able to share ideas without repercussions is always enabling and allows…

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Rhythm of Life

Posted on November 21, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I started out with Hole in the Doughnut as a title for this poem. That had played in the recesses of my mind off and on all day. But as the poem wrote itself, I realized that might too trite even if it seemed accurate. Who has eaten a doughnut without a hole? The hole completes the doughnut. Without the hole the doughnut is a bagel.

Busy trying to fill a hole–

Plug a gap

But to no avail–

So futile;

Go dig a hole in the ocean.

Hole and whole indivisible;

Not just a play on words–

Are complete only together

Beauty in paradoxical relationship.

It invites

Calls to us

Embraces fully

Adds welcome tension–

The rhythm of life lived.

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Posted on November 20, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

In a day and age where we set on a precipice it seems, our future is in the hands of those who do not see the differences but embrace each other.

Ralphie´s Portal

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The Uses of Not

Posted on November 20, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I wrote about paradox in Warrior’s Quest and part of the motivating force was this poem. It takes real courage to accept paradox and hold the tension. The hole in the whole completes the whole.

Thirty spokes

meet in the hub.

Where the wheel isn’t

is where it’s useful.

Hollowed out,

clay makes the pot.

Where the pot’s not

is where it’s useful.

Cut doors and windows

to make a room.

Where the room isn’t

there’s room for you.