Week 4: Comments Entry

Comment on Amanda's Castaneda's post:

Amanda, there are so many take aways from the Zander's book, The Art of Possibilities. "I am the framework for everything that happens in my life" is one of the most profound messages in the book. I AM! ME! ________(fill your name) is totally responsible for my life. The blank canvas that we're all given allows us to paint our own world. I think that this this blank canvas can be exciting and remind us that there is a world of possibility. When we fear the vast possbilities sometimes we limit ourselves from what the Universe has provided. We are all blessed beyond measure!


Amanda's Castaneda post:

For this week’s reading there were a few statements the authors made that stood out to me. One being that “Certain things in life are better done in person.” This is such a true statement and reminded me of a young lady at Starbucks, had once told me that she hated working the drive thru, people are so rude and forget that there is a real person actually taking their order. I happened to be her first customer that did not do this. I was kind of surprised she had reveled something so personal to me. But she had been fed up with how people could find it ok to act like this because they were speaking into a small box, why is it that many people tend to think this type of attitude is acceptable in a non face-to-face meeting. I am sure many of her “rude” customers would never acted in such a way if they had gotten down instead. Its funny that people tend to put on a different persona when it comes to communicating in a non face-to-face meeting? I think the same is true for asking a favor or for some service you would like to person to do. Even when it comes to borrowing money this would apply largely because seeing someone in person than through email or the phone it is more personable and you are more likely to get the response you wanted in doing so.

Another quote I found to be quite powerful is “ I am the framework for everything that happens in my life” This quote reminds us that we can own the risks we take by standing in front of them and not casting blame elsewhere. We are responsible for what happens to us from the path we choose to take. We are built from our successes, failures, partnerships, and ideologies.

In the very last chapter “Coda” the book talks a little bit about why someone may have come across this book and hoped after reading it, you are able to view things in life a little differently with a new perspective. I think this quote sums it up what The Art of Possibility intended to do. 

“From a person who meets the challenges life serves up, to one who designs the stage on which her life plays out; from a single not to a long line, from partial to full expression, from the I to the WE.”



Comments on Sahpreem's Aaron King's Post:
Sahpreem, so we're waiting for your next book! Your interpretation of the book is a like a mini self help book. I appreciate the statement, "As a people, when we abandon possibility and accept despair as the norm, we have lost the war on hope." I've abandoned some possibilities in my life while trying to figure it all out. Reflecting on my life, many of the answers have always been in front of me. This also relates to another take away from your post, "In life you either take the drivers seat or sit back as a passenger and enjoy the ride." In some areas of my life, I've taken the driver seat and in other areas I didn't even realize I could "drive". 


You also mentioned in another post something that also been on my mind. We talk to our children about being their best, but I'm not sure if I always do my best! I reminded that being my best and being open to the endless possibilities is the best gift I can give myself, family and community.


Sahpreem Aaron King's post:

In response to this chapter I would like to start off the blog posts with this rap I composed:

“Light the spark that ignites the dark,

I remember when use to spit rhymes at park,

Every rapper took a turn on the invisible Mic,

And words held weight beyond game and mere hype,

Doors were opened when seeds were sowed,

Now we reap the harvest of the life that grows,

Turned haters and non-believers,

Into supporters and bros,

See the fire in the sky as the mind lights glow

Sometimes my tactics are rougher than cactus,

Cause it takes practice to separate the truth from actors”

10. Being the Board

In the Game of Life there are Winners and Losers

Life is a challenge and can be compared to a game of mystery, discovery, and limitless possibilities. Moreover, responsibility or accountability for the occurrences within our lives or realms of reality is not of our direct influence. If you believe in preordained fate, then you must subscribe to the premise that all of your life’s work has already been written and is for not, if you fail to find your purpose for being alive. Yes, many will argue that we have no purpose, but even a snail serves a purpose as part of the universe’s grand design of life. Being the board is about being responsible beyond the limits of our control and appointed responsibilities. How many times have you been to convenience store and the coffee pots is empty and the folks behind the counter shrug their shoulders through their hands up and complain, “it’s not my job (to fill the coffee pot)”? Probably, more times than you can even count. Or do you recall calling the XYZ Company’s customer service line and being passed around from agent-to-agent like a game of hot potato? Being the board is not about accepting blame for the ills of society, but understanding that we all play a part in what goes on in the world and knowing that we all have a back-story or set of circumstances that led up this very moment. When we open our minds to having a 360-degree view, we open our hearts to love, empathy, and charity. When we point the finger, there are three pointing back at us. In the words of the immortal King of Pop, Michael Jackson (RIP) “I’m starting with the man in the mirror.”

11. Creating Frameworks for Possibility

As a people, when we abandon possibility and accept despair as the norm, we have lost the war on hope. Dream as big as you can and build a rainbow bridge that extends over the valleys and pits of hate and indifference. Understand that there is a bona fide difference between “game” and “truth”. Once we are able to wipe the mud from our glasses and see the infinite benefit of peace, harmony, and goodwill towards fellow man, then we can begin to explore the vast oasis of all that is good and right in the universe. As we design the framework of possibility, we become architects of our own fate. Collectively we decided how our blueprint should read, what is good or bad, right or wrong, and more Importantly the direction of our focus. When buy into the dream of humanity we accept the collective vision as our own, opening a realm of possibility that we must take responsibility for maintaining by participating in its evolution. In life you either take the drivers seat or sit back as a passenger and enjoy the ride. If you choose the latter over the former then you have no right to be a backseat driver.

12. Telling the We Story

The conflict between Us and Them has been an age-old battle since before man could read or write. In the grand scheme of the universe, no group has ever wielded more power and influence than the collective We. Togetherness can conquer what the separatist failed to overcome. In this statement, I say that every human being is capable of making a contribution to humanity because it takes two to dance the Tango. In this chapter, the authors depict a similar passion for the collective experience whereas each human’s survival is interdependent on the next. What is best for us is the underlying question here. In the alchemy of we, our community strengthens as our intentions are focused on standing together as one. Far too often this is forgotten amongst the people until cataclysmic forces the likes of the 911 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina temporarily bring us together. United we stand divided we fall. Perhaps we must agree that divided we don’t stand a chance as a human society.