This is my first post since getting back at it. It has been a great few months. I did not go far from my computer, but my efforts focused on dissertation writing. That is off the table for about a month as the committee members read and offer feedback. When that is done, I hope to be into research.
Thomas Berry was a Catholic priest and environmentalist who wrote the book The Dream of the Earth. He approached his environmentalism in a very holistic manner, incorporating a variety of traditions: Judeo-Christian, Eastern philosophies, and Indigenous people.
I feel that many people have moved away from the holistic relationship they subjectively and objectively engage in the world/ universe. We are not separate but part of a complex dynamic that is always incomplete and unpredictable.
Look up at the sky
the heavens so blue
the sun so radiant
the clouds so playful
the soaring raptors
woodland creatures
meadows in bloom
rivers singing their
way to the sea
wolfsong on the land
whalesong in the sea
celebration everywhere
wild, riotous
immense as a monsoon
lifting an ocean of joy
then spilling it down over
the Appalachian landscape
drenching us all
in a deluge of delight
as we open our arms and
rush toward each other
all of us moved by that vast
compassionate curve
that brings all things together
in intimate celebration
celebration that is
the universe itself.
About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.
Teacher as Transformer 
just ordered the book. Am working on ecology issues and this seems like a good addition to my library. only wish is was an ebook
Beautiful poem. Nice to see you again.
Thank you. It feels good to be back.
Good to have you back in my inbox !
I am glad to be back.
Great news about the dissertation. Welcome back.
Thank you. It feels good to be back.
A beautiful expression of our connection to everything.
Thank you.
Everything is connected. I have been writing about a local lady who has Drum Circles. Their goal is to create that oneness with the Universe of which you are speaking.
Walter Ong has written about the wonder of using talking drums and how they speak from the heart.
Lovely to see you back!
Thank you. It is good to be back.
so grand to see you back! (and a happy new year to you)
Thank you. It is good to be back. Take care and have a happy New Year.
Beautiful words inviting connection, and wonderful to see you blogging again. Sending you all the best for your dissertation and enjoying this time off. Happy New Year!
Thank you. It feels good to be back.
Back in a blaze of glory I see, Ivon! Congratulations on your progress and many thanks for the stunning poem. Best wishes on the rest of your journey….
Thank you. It feels good to be back.
Wow! Great seeing you in my Reader again! 🙂
It feels good to be back.
Welcome back, Ivon! (*＾▽＾)／
Thank you. It is good to be back.
My pleasure! ∩(︶▽︶)∩
Congratulations on getting it all done! Welcome back!
Thank you Tiny. There is still work to be done, but I reached a signigicant milestone.