Replying to LO24939 --
Chris speaks about seeing managers overwhelmed by complexity. How can we
learn to not be overwhelmed? During the recent postings about the
direction/content/length of postings, I wrote to Andrew the following and
want now to share some of my message
"Thank you for writing, Andrew. Your postings are the 'three-winged bird'
that keeps (now what is the proper modifier there?) me 'listening' on the
LO List. Living in Canada's North, I'm a generalist, in order to earn a
living and be with my growing grandchildren - 4 now as of just 8 weeks
ago. I facilitate, develop and deliver workshops with a varity of themes,
- everything from systems thinking to self-esteem/respect at work to
project management to conflict resolution. For fun, I do half days of
'kids' songs for adults' and adult 'playshops'. The LO list reminds me of
the range of contacts I have in everyday life. I dance with
two-year-olds, confer with union Presidents, introduce systems thinking to
accountants, policy writers, engineers, and thoughtful irish
philosopher/poets, help folks learn conflict resolution skills, sing with
the community choir, listen to 6-year-olds learning to read at the
elementary school my grandson attends. There's a small group of people
with whom I meet to talk about the why and how of life and what it all
means and why we're here and why it's all so important and so trivial.
They and the LO list and you help me watch for the elusive patterns that
tie work--art--play--life together. I hope you stay on the list. If not,
I'm glad to be on yours."
I wrote a while ago that I was taking some time to grieve the change on
the list. I like the richness and choice that this list brings me. I can
see that that is continuing - so now I'm celebrating by writing.
Living with my grandchildren helps me so much in my learning. I see how
they learn - fearlessly, persistently, - moving out in all directions to
discover their world. I use this experience in almost every workshop I
teach to remind me/us that at one time we all knew how to learn in that
way and we are absolutely capable of re-membering that skill.
...and an offering - about continuing to learn as a grandmother
Teaching Grandma
My grandson, five years old,
is educating me.
His energy,
testosterone already surging,
fills the house
and spills outdoors -
climbing, running, biking
whizzing up and down the sidewalk on his skate board.
"Watch me, Grandma!!"
Boy and skateboard, airborne,
leave the curb
landing upright - all one piece
in the street
and I,
heart returning from my throat to its rightful place,
proud I didn't call out caution,
wonder at the lessons daughters never taught me.
"How do they make these?"
My Grandson, six now,
has his quiet moments too.
Switching from kinesthetic mode
To mental gymnastics he asks,
"How do they make these?"
I look down at the plastic toy he holds,
and at his green eyes full of curiosity.
Delighted I begin,
"They start with a mold,
kind of like an ice cube tray..
but the ice holders are shaped like your toy."
"They are?" he says
"Yes", I reply, "and there are hundreds of them
Moving steadily under the spout
That drips liquid hot plastic
And fills them to the top."
"And then what?"
I smile at him and off we go
Exploring all the wonders of the world
Sue Starr
Whitehorse, Yukon
Canada
--"Sue Starr" <starr@internorth.com>
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