This week I practiced honesty. I practiced being honest with myself as well as others. In the past I have struggled with not being truthful, especially with myself. I realized this past week that the reason why I lie is to please others. When I want to stay home I sometimes end up going to a friend’s house because they wish for my company. I have also noticed myself apologizing for things I’m not sorry for. I performed honesty by showing my true feelings, and listening to what I know is best for me. I also paid attention to the times I have lied or said sorry and why I did so.
What experiences have you had as a result of practicing this belief or value that you would not otherwise have had?
One of my best friends, John, called me after his ballet class on Tuesday. He said he was coming with a few dance friends to pick me up for dinner. Part of me wanted to go, but I was planning on going with my dad to pick up my mom at the airport. I asked myself what I wanted more, to hang out with the friends I see five days a week or see my mom for the first time in ten days. I told John to not pick me up, and that I wanted to get my mom at the airport instead. John respected my decision even though he wished I could be there. He understood that seeing my mom was important to me. Saying no heightened my personal respect, and gave me the opportunity to do what I desired. Seeing my mom standing outside baggage claim with her suitcases was fulfilling to me. I spent time with John after school on Friday. I enjoyed his company and recognized how much I appreciate having him as a friend.
Last weekend I performed in a dance concert. I was in two pieces, one was a slow duet and the other was a theatrical piece where I played an old man. Before shows we have a ballet class to warm up. Classes include bar exercises and center exercises. It has been over five weeks since I got this ankle sprain meaning I should be doing center work at this point. During the warm up on Friday we transitioned from the bar to the center. I craved to dance so intensely but as I marked the first center combination I felt a sharp pain in my foot. If it weren’t for this practicum I probably would have convinced myself my foot did not hurt, but I was honest with myself and recognized it wasn’t a good idea to dance. This was extremely hard for me because I should be taking the full class at this point. I listened to my intuition and didn’t further injure myself.
What new insights do you have about the belief or value you’ve practiced?
On Tuesday I didn’t attend ballet class. Before my injury my friend Ellie gave me a ride to dance every Tuesday. Once I sprained my ankle, Ellie wasn’t sure if I was going to dance on Tuesdays or not. As I commenced dancing again I began asking her for rides on Tuesdays. Last Tuesday I didn’t feel like I needed to bother asking her because I thought the routine was back on track. I waited for her and once it was time for class to start I realized she wasn’t coming. John asked me why I wasn’t there. I lied and said my dad wasn’t able to drive me. I learned that there are certain things worth lying about. If I told John I was waiting for Ellie, there’s a chance he would have informed her about it. She loves doing favors for people and I know she would have felt guilty. Ellie has no reason to feel responsible for my inability of getting to dance. This wouldn’t have happened if I called her and ask for a ride.
Almost everyone was crying after the concert last weekend. Another dancer, Emily, broke her finger before the concert. She was also unable to dance. Neither of us were pouting our faces or tearing up. I told Emily I wasn’t sad. The concert was over for me even before the rehearsals became sincere. I know I would have at least acted sad if it weren’t for this practicum, because I think my peers expect me to feel that way. I recognize that I have faked my emotions in the past to fit in to other’s expectations. The benefits of showing my honest emotions this week have been gaining respect from others and feeling secure with myself. Hiding my true feelings has made me feel low in the past, because I was concealing myself from my own family, friends, and acquaintances.
Is the level at which you’re practicing sustainable in your life? Why or why not?
I know this practicum is a sustainable one, and honesty is something that I plan on practicing for the rest of my life. I have already learned that I am capable of being honest about my feelings while being respected. In fact, I feel more respected now than before. When I say no, I feel entirely in control of my own decisions. I wish for success. Even if I became a principle dancer in the world’s greatest Ballet Company, I wouldn’t feel successful without honesty. I will continue practicing honesty and let this value develop to its greatest potential.
What was your biggest take away that will influence your final credo?
I believe that honesty relates to my core values of diversity and acceptance. Respecting yourself and making your decisions is important to making you the person you are. Everyone has their own opinions and desires. This is what makes us independent and different from one another. I value acceptance of others, and this practicum helped me accept myself. Perfection is boring and lying to make yourself that way is particularly hard on you, but also your peers. Honesty is another essential component to what my credo will be about, finding happiness.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
I believe in honesty, acceptance, and reaching beyond perfection. Happiness is achieved by loving others for who they are, and loving my self for who I am. Lying will only shelter my individuality from the world.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Interview #3
For my final interview, I spoke with my father Steve. He owns a landscape maintenance business, because he loves experiencing what nature has to offer day by day. He grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family but began practicing Buddhism after the tragedy of my sister’s stroke. I rarely speak with my dad about life and the lessons we gain knowledge from. Steve has taught me so much over the years. Sharing similarities and values with my father reinforced my value of the importance of family. Talking to him about the challenging experiences we have shared as family made this interview a powerful one.
What are the interviewee’s core values? What does he believe?
Steve believes in empathy, integrity and valuing life’s flaws. He disapproves of cheating people to make more money. He puts his heart into every job even if his customers are oblivious. He loves feeling satisfied with his own work. Integrity helps him continue feeling pleased with himself. Steve covered many jobs like painting houses, bar tending and working at the bank. As a young adult he didn’t know what he wanted for a career. Steve believes experiencing many jobs, having money dilemmas, and raising three children has helped him grow to be empathetic. Now he over tips the waiters at restaurants, even if they’re slow or mess up his order. “I also have empathy for people having troubles in their life, because I have gone through some difficult times in my own life” he told me. These tough events have taught him that “opening up to other people’s vulnerabilities make you stronger.”
What is a story and/or metaphor that the interviewee used to illustrate his values and beliefs?
He believes in being happy regardless of the rough things we experience in life. “If you place too much of an expectation on stuff it will cause you to be unhappy” he told me. I asked him about a sensitive time in my family’s past, when my sister Jasmine was lured into the world of human trafficking. I was twelve years old when a pimp robbed her from herself. She was brainwashed. I remember the day she came home, and the Jasmine I knew growing up just seemed to vanish. It still tears both of us up to talk about this family tragedy. This experience helped shape his views on his attitude toward unbending situations. “You just have to deal with life as it comes” he said. He believes you can gain strength from painful feelings like disappointment and sorrow.
Addie’s stroke was another incident that formed his values. “I feel like she opened up a world for us that we knew nothing about”. He spoke about Addie being such a gift, and that he has learned so much about himself. He hardly ever begins to question what Addie would be like if she were normal. “That’s just the way she is” he said. “Just as she learned to walk she got hit with a stroke. It got a point where I wasn’t really hoping for anything and I wasn’t really afraid of anything. Usually you have either hope or fear in your life, and I was just at a very calm place where I was just living moment to moment” he said. He wanted to learn how to live that way without having to go through a tragedy. This is why Steve began practicing Buddhism.
What are the “hard questions” about the interviewee’s values and beliefs? How would he respond to those questions?
“I was brought up a fundamentalist Christian and for the longest time there just seemed to be something not right about it. I felt like I just didn’t fit.” He described a dream he had when he was little where his brothers and parents were faking their Christianity, and they turned out to be demons. He was terrified that he wasn’t being a good Christian, and he would end up in hell. “I just always felt like I was different from the rest of the family” he said. “I didn’t question my families values as a kid even though I had these dreams and feelings,” but he felt forced to believe instead of choosing to. In college he found himself in a complicated position when he discovered his beliefs were different from his family’s. “I use to wish that I would have the same beliefs as my family, it would have made thing easier and it wouldn’t threaten their world view.”
Fundamentalist Christianity was unnatural to Steve because he was constantly afraid. I wonder if he would have experienced anxiety if his parents didn’t drag him to church every Sunday. I have noticed a pattern in our culture. Authority figures attempt to mold the next generation in our public school system, social settings and our homes. My dad believes that “people like to use religion to control people, so that they can have power over others”. I reflected on this for a while, and it occurred to me that Steve’s parents may have endeavored controlling his religious beliefs because they loved him. I asked if he thought their control may have related to their love for him. “They loved me, but the way they brought me up was because they feared god”. I wonder why we sometimes don’t perceive our own fear. Maybe people are too afraid to even see it. Almost like an alcoholic in denial, humans have a strange ability of counterfeiting reality.
How has your perspective on your own beliefs and values changed as a result of the interview? What was your biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
We aren’t always in control of the things that approach us in life, but we are in control of our attitude towards them. I believe the only way one can find happiness is by learning from tragedies and living moment to moment like my dad. I believe that if life were perfect it wouldn’t be as valuable.
What are the interviewee’s core values? What does he believe?
Steve believes in empathy, integrity and valuing life’s flaws. He disapproves of cheating people to make more money. He puts his heart into every job even if his customers are oblivious. He loves feeling satisfied with his own work. Integrity helps him continue feeling pleased with himself. Steve covered many jobs like painting houses, bar tending and working at the bank. As a young adult he didn’t know what he wanted for a career. Steve believes experiencing many jobs, having money dilemmas, and raising three children has helped him grow to be empathetic. Now he over tips the waiters at restaurants, even if they’re slow or mess up his order. “I also have empathy for people having troubles in their life, because I have gone through some difficult times in my own life” he told me. These tough events have taught him that “opening up to other people’s vulnerabilities make you stronger.”
What is a story and/or metaphor that the interviewee used to illustrate his values and beliefs?
He believes in being happy regardless of the rough things we experience in life. “If you place too much of an expectation on stuff it will cause you to be unhappy” he told me. I asked him about a sensitive time in my family’s past, when my sister Jasmine was lured into the world of human trafficking. I was twelve years old when a pimp robbed her from herself. She was brainwashed. I remember the day she came home, and the Jasmine I knew growing up just seemed to vanish. It still tears both of us up to talk about this family tragedy. This experience helped shape his views on his attitude toward unbending situations. “You just have to deal with life as it comes” he said. He believes you can gain strength from painful feelings like disappointment and sorrow.
Addie’s stroke was another incident that formed his values. “I feel like she opened up a world for us that we knew nothing about”. He spoke about Addie being such a gift, and that he has learned so much about himself. He hardly ever begins to question what Addie would be like if she were normal. “That’s just the way she is” he said. “Just as she learned to walk she got hit with a stroke. It got a point where I wasn’t really hoping for anything and I wasn’t really afraid of anything. Usually you have either hope or fear in your life, and I was just at a very calm place where I was just living moment to moment” he said. He wanted to learn how to live that way without having to go through a tragedy. This is why Steve began practicing Buddhism.
What are the “hard questions” about the interviewee’s values and beliefs? How would he respond to those questions?
“I was brought up a fundamentalist Christian and for the longest time there just seemed to be something not right about it. I felt like I just didn’t fit.” He described a dream he had when he was little where his brothers and parents were faking their Christianity, and they turned out to be demons. He was terrified that he wasn’t being a good Christian, and he would end up in hell. “I just always felt like I was different from the rest of the family” he said. “I didn’t question my families values as a kid even though I had these dreams and feelings,” but he felt forced to believe instead of choosing to. In college he found himself in a complicated position when he discovered his beliefs were different from his family’s. “I use to wish that I would have the same beliefs as my family, it would have made thing easier and it wouldn’t threaten their world view.”
Fundamentalist Christianity was unnatural to Steve because he was constantly afraid. I wonder if he would have experienced anxiety if his parents didn’t drag him to church every Sunday. I have noticed a pattern in our culture. Authority figures attempt to mold the next generation in our public school system, social settings and our homes. My dad believes that “people like to use religion to control people, so that they can have power over others”. I reflected on this for a while, and it occurred to me that Steve’s parents may have endeavored controlling his religious beliefs because they loved him. I asked if he thought their control may have related to their love for him. “They loved me, but the way they brought me up was because they feared god”. I wonder why we sometimes don’t perceive our own fear. Maybe people are too afraid to even see it. Almost like an alcoholic in denial, humans have a strange ability of counterfeiting reality.
How has your perspective on your own beliefs and values changed as a result of the interview? What was your biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
We aren’t always in control of the things that approach us in life, but we are in control of our attitude towards them. I believe the only way one can find happiness is by learning from tragedies and living moment to moment like my dad. I believe that if life were perfect it wouldn’t be as valuable.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Text Studie #3
For my final text study I chose to watch the movie “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” The film is about a young man named Gilbert who has to constantly look after his mentally impaired brother Arnie. His morbidly obese and widowed mother, Bonnie, lives on the couch in their living room, so Gilbert and his two sisters have to act as Arnie’s parents. An unfamiliar traveler named Becky stops in their small town and helps Gilbert learn how to accept the life he was born into. If you haven’t watched this movie, you really should!
How does the text illustrate or challenge your values and beliefs?
Becky questions Gilbert about what he wants in life. “I want a new house, a new family. I want mama to take aerobics classes. I want a new brain for Arnie.” Becky then asks, “What do you want for you?” “I want to be a good person” he replies. I speculated this for a while and came to the conclusion that the only way Gilbert will feel like a good person is by appreciating the flaws in his own life. The love he displays by caring for his mom and brother proves that he’s a good person, but the self-respect he’s missing causes him to mistrust his own character. I believe that if Gilbert looked at Arnie and his mother as positive influences on his life, he would find prosperity within himself.
Becky is a spectacular human being. She treats Arnie like another friend. She helps him dismiss his fear of water and doesn’t let Gilbert apologize for him. When she becomes acquainted with their mother for the first time Bonnie says, “I haven’t always been like this” Becky replies, “Well I haven’t always been like this.” Becky’s empathy causes Bonnie to smile for the first and only time throughout the entire movie. It’s clear to me that Becky respects herself because she can relate to the people around her no matter how different they are. She never treats Arnie and Bonnie with pity. Becky treats them the way she would want to be treated herself.
What hard questions does the text raise about your values and beliefs?
Arnie yells “dad’s dead, dad’s dead!” repeatedly at the dinner table one night after hearing Gilbert say it. Arnie notices the family’s negative reactions and seems to enjoy the attention. If they were patient with Arnie and didn’t waste their energy trying to get him to be quiet, Arnie probably would not have continued yelling “dad’s dead!” Another significant part of the movie was when Gilbert hits Arnie for eating the cake he bought for Arnie’s birthday. Gilbert’s emotions took over his actions and when he stops to reflect on what he did, his overwhelming guilt brings him sorrow.
This challenged my values and beliefs because after thinking about this I felt almost hypocritical. Sometimes I get so impatient with Addie I have trouble controlling my actions. My actions always come back and haunt me, but even after all these years I still make the same mistake. I know nobody’s perfect, but I wonder why people make the mistake of hurting others if they just end up hurting themselves. I notice that when I feel at peace with myself I am more understanding and patient with people who tend to irritate me, but when I am in a negative mood my patience becomes weak.
How were you reinforced in your values and beliefs, or how did your understanding of them change as a result of studying this text? What was the biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
Growing up, my parents would tell me that you have to love yourself to be able to love others. I have always believed this, but now I have a deeper understanding of this lesson. “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” got me thinking about how this belief relates to me and my own behavior. The relationship we have with ourselves has everything to do with our actions. So the next time I feel impatient I will ask myself why before taking it out on others.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
I believe that if we practiced loving ourselves we will learn to love everyone for who they are, no matter what size, color or way of learning. I believe we can learn to love even the people we don’t know.
How does the text illustrate or challenge your values and beliefs?
Becky questions Gilbert about what he wants in life. “I want a new house, a new family. I want mama to take aerobics classes. I want a new brain for Arnie.” Becky then asks, “What do you want for you?” “I want to be a good person” he replies. I speculated this for a while and came to the conclusion that the only way Gilbert will feel like a good person is by appreciating the flaws in his own life. The love he displays by caring for his mom and brother proves that he’s a good person, but the self-respect he’s missing causes him to mistrust his own character. I believe that if Gilbert looked at Arnie and his mother as positive influences on his life, he would find prosperity within himself.
Becky is a spectacular human being. She treats Arnie like another friend. She helps him dismiss his fear of water and doesn’t let Gilbert apologize for him. When she becomes acquainted with their mother for the first time Bonnie says, “I haven’t always been like this” Becky replies, “Well I haven’t always been like this.” Becky’s empathy causes Bonnie to smile for the first and only time throughout the entire movie. It’s clear to me that Becky respects herself because she can relate to the people around her no matter how different they are. She never treats Arnie and Bonnie with pity. Becky treats them the way she would want to be treated herself.
What hard questions does the text raise about your values and beliefs?
Arnie yells “dad’s dead, dad’s dead!” repeatedly at the dinner table one night after hearing Gilbert say it. Arnie notices the family’s negative reactions and seems to enjoy the attention. If they were patient with Arnie and didn’t waste their energy trying to get him to be quiet, Arnie probably would not have continued yelling “dad’s dead!” Another significant part of the movie was when Gilbert hits Arnie for eating the cake he bought for Arnie’s birthday. Gilbert’s emotions took over his actions and when he stops to reflect on what he did, his overwhelming guilt brings him sorrow.
This challenged my values and beliefs because after thinking about this I felt almost hypocritical. Sometimes I get so impatient with Addie I have trouble controlling my actions. My actions always come back and haunt me, but even after all these years I still make the same mistake. I know nobody’s perfect, but I wonder why people make the mistake of hurting others if they just end up hurting themselves. I notice that when I feel at peace with myself I am more understanding and patient with people who tend to irritate me, but when I am in a negative mood my patience becomes weak.
How were you reinforced in your values and beliefs, or how did your understanding of them change as a result of studying this text? What was the biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
Growing up, my parents would tell me that you have to love yourself to be able to love others. I have always believed this, but now I have a deeper understanding of this lesson. “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” got me thinking about how this belief relates to me and my own behavior. The relationship we have with ourselves has everything to do with our actions. So the next time I feel impatient I will ask myself why before taking it out on others.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
I believe that if we practiced loving ourselves we will learn to love everyone for who they are, no matter what size, color or way of learning. I believe we can learn to love even the people we don’t know.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Practicum #2
This week I practiced doing acts of kindness. I generally practice being kind to others, but I stretched from the norm this week and showed my charity to strangers.
What experiences have you had as a result of practicing this belief or value that you would not otherwise have had?
Journal entry Wednesday the 27th
Before catching the bus to school today I packed a second lunch, but not because I was hungry. I wanted to give this food to the next hungry soul I saw on the street. After school my mom took me to a doctor’s appointment and of course I forgot to bring an extra snack to eat beforehand. My stomach was growling by four o’clock. I was aware I brought extra food but I just had to save it in case I saw someone who needed it more than I did. The appointment ended at six and I was about dying of hunger, but as we were driving home I noticed a man in a tattered, camouflage jacket holding a cardboard sign that read “homeless.” We landed a red light so my mom rolled down her window and said “she’s got something for you.” I pulled out the leftover pizza, Cliff bar, and string cheese in my backpack and handed it to him. “God bless you” he said. As we drove off I stopped feeling as hungry. The satisfaction I received from doing this kind act compensated for my hunger. I would be the happiest girl alive if I could feel that type of fulfillment every day.
What new insights do you have about the belief or value you’ve practiced?
On Thursday morning I gave another bag of food to a man begging for money in front of a McDonalds. When I saw the gratification in his eyes, it took me back in time and I remembered that same look in another beggar’s eyes.
I was about seven when my sister Addie showed me what kindness was. My mom took us to work with her and as we waited for a bus home a woman approached my mom crying for help. I remember feeling afraid because she was so hopeless and desperate; she was almost at my mother’s feet. She begged her for money for a train home. As my mom shook her head with apologies the woman wept like her life was ending. But then Addie began crying with her. She walked to over to the beggar with open arms and hugged her. The woman’s tears turned into joyful cries and I noticed her missing teeth looking more beautiful than before.
Is the level at which you’re practicing sustainable in your life? Why or why not?
I started this practicum with an intention to be aware of every human being I encountered. Whether it was acknowledging someone I past on the street, or saying hello to someone I sat next to on the bus. I noticed discouraged faces transforming into pleasing smiles. This practice also caused a few unexpected things to happen. A young girl began playing with my hair on the bus, and after smiling at the musician I pass in the bus tunnel every day he said, “Thank you for bringing the sunshine down from the cold.” Opening myself to strangers has also taken a blindfold from my eyes and I have been noticing many others doing kind acts. I notice people offering their seats to elders and one morning I saw a homeless man dancing with money in his hand. I definitely think acting kind to strangers can become a routine in my life. It’s a simple action with so much benefit.
What was your biggest take away that will influence your final credo?
This practicum did not only teach me that kindness can put an end to my hunger, it brought back powerful memories of my childhood and the roots of my personal being. This practicum was as much of an advantage for me as it was for the individuals rewarded with my kind acts. Even my mood changed, I would wake up in the morning excited for the new day. I experienced so much joy in the past week because I saw so many smiles and heard so many grateful words. I learned that kindness is the passage to finding happiness.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
I value kindness and believe it is the mother of well being. I believe in order to find happiness within ourselves we must learn how to act with kindness.
What experiences have you had as a result of practicing this belief or value that you would not otherwise have had?
Journal entry Wednesday the 27th
Before catching the bus to school today I packed a second lunch, but not because I was hungry. I wanted to give this food to the next hungry soul I saw on the street. After school my mom took me to a doctor’s appointment and of course I forgot to bring an extra snack to eat beforehand. My stomach was growling by four o’clock. I was aware I brought extra food but I just had to save it in case I saw someone who needed it more than I did. The appointment ended at six and I was about dying of hunger, but as we were driving home I noticed a man in a tattered, camouflage jacket holding a cardboard sign that read “homeless.” We landed a red light so my mom rolled down her window and said “she’s got something for you.” I pulled out the leftover pizza, Cliff bar, and string cheese in my backpack and handed it to him. “God bless you” he said. As we drove off I stopped feeling as hungry. The satisfaction I received from doing this kind act compensated for my hunger. I would be the happiest girl alive if I could feel that type of fulfillment every day.
What new insights do you have about the belief or value you’ve practiced?
On Thursday morning I gave another bag of food to a man begging for money in front of a McDonalds. When I saw the gratification in his eyes, it took me back in time and I remembered that same look in another beggar’s eyes.
I was about seven when my sister Addie showed me what kindness was. My mom took us to work with her and as we waited for a bus home a woman approached my mom crying for help. I remember feeling afraid because she was so hopeless and desperate; she was almost at my mother’s feet. She begged her for money for a train home. As my mom shook her head with apologies the woman wept like her life was ending. But then Addie began crying with her. She walked to over to the beggar with open arms and hugged her. The woman’s tears turned into joyful cries and I noticed her missing teeth looking more beautiful than before.
Is the level at which you’re practicing sustainable in your life? Why or why not?
I started this practicum with an intention to be aware of every human being I encountered. Whether it was acknowledging someone I past on the street, or saying hello to someone I sat next to on the bus. I noticed discouraged faces transforming into pleasing smiles. This practice also caused a few unexpected things to happen. A young girl began playing with my hair on the bus, and after smiling at the musician I pass in the bus tunnel every day he said, “Thank you for bringing the sunshine down from the cold.” Opening myself to strangers has also taken a blindfold from my eyes and I have been noticing many others doing kind acts. I notice people offering their seats to elders and one morning I saw a homeless man dancing with money in his hand. I definitely think acting kind to strangers can become a routine in my life. It’s a simple action with so much benefit.
What was your biggest take away that will influence your final credo?
This practicum did not only teach me that kindness can put an end to my hunger, it brought back powerful memories of my childhood and the roots of my personal being. This practicum was as much of an advantage for me as it was for the individuals rewarded with my kind acts. Even my mood changed, I would wake up in the morning excited for the new day. I experienced so much joy in the past week because I saw so many smiles and heard so many grateful words. I learned that kindness is the passage to finding happiness.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
I value kindness and believe it is the mother of well being. I believe in order to find happiness within ourselves we must learn how to act with kindness.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Interview #2
For my interview I met with a woman who taught me over twelve years ago, my kinder garden teacher Mrs. Shell. I chose her because I have comforting memories of being in her class. She also has a daughter, Christina who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
What are the interviewee’s core values? What does she believe?
She believes children need to be educated to grow up learning how to accept others. Mrs. Shell noticed her daughter being stared at and called hurtful things by others when she was very young. She teaches her students that if we do hurtful things to others we’re hurting inside. When Christiana was first born Mrs. Shell received the most valuable advice, to treat her daughter like any other child. She will go through every stage but it will be delayed. “People with special needs can be regarded as a real inconvenience and a problem but it’s just the opposite. They give you so many incites about yourself. They teach us and we teach them” she told me. Her daughter taught her and her husband an immense amount of information about their values and professional lives. Her husband currently works with a support group for fathers with disabled children, and she volunteers for the Special Olympics. Mrs. Shell expressed her value of patience and how patience has helped her be a successful mother with Christina.
What is a story and/or metaphor that the interviewee used to illustrate her values and beliefs?
When Mrs. Shell notices that a student is having a hard time fitting in they go over recipes about how to build friendships and relates it to making cookies. “You use certain ingredients when you try to find a friend. That seems to work for most children but other children need more intervention” Mrs. Shell told me. This was interesting to me because my mom was recently explaining how kids on the autism spectrum commonly lack friends, and in the highline school district they teach these metaphors in their special education programs to help the autistic students learn how to react to social cues. “But as long as they have one person in the class be it the teacher or a class mate that they know cares about them they’re going to be successful,” Mrs. Shell told me. This makes me think back on the advice Mrs. Shell received about treating her child like any other. Everyone wants to be treated the same as anyone else and shaming people for their differences can lower their levels of happiness and concentration.
What are the “hard questions” about the interviewee’s values and beliefs? How would she respond to those questions?
“Prisons are filled with people who have learning disabilities. We need to address that and concentrate on those with special needs at a very young age so that children don’t turn violent,” she said. My belief is that children with learning disabilities simply need attention but in a different fashion. Instead of focusing on what these students can’t do teachers should focus on what LD kids are good at. Maybe the reason why prisons are populated with so many of our learning disabled citizens is because they believe they aren’t capable of being successful. Most of them grew up being discriminated against by our own public school system and couldn’t learn the things that interested them.
How has your perspective on your own beliefs and values changed as a result of the interview? What was your biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
I believe it’s important that people are able to accept our most vulnerable members of society, because we can learn great things from them. “You have a big responsibility now to help continue the formative process; that society has to recognize that people with disabilities are not lacking so much but they are showing us what they have in a different way and we have to have the eyes to see it,” she told me. I took this to heart and I want to help people see how different the world would be if we would accept everyone for their differences and not push them away. We have been gifted with people like Addie and Christina why feel ashamed?
What are the interviewee’s core values? What does she believe?
She believes children need to be educated to grow up learning how to accept others. Mrs. Shell noticed her daughter being stared at and called hurtful things by others when she was very young. She teaches her students that if we do hurtful things to others we’re hurting inside. When Christiana was first born Mrs. Shell received the most valuable advice, to treat her daughter like any other child. She will go through every stage but it will be delayed. “People with special needs can be regarded as a real inconvenience and a problem but it’s just the opposite. They give you so many incites about yourself. They teach us and we teach them” she told me. Her daughter taught her and her husband an immense amount of information about their values and professional lives. Her husband currently works with a support group for fathers with disabled children, and she volunteers for the Special Olympics. Mrs. Shell expressed her value of patience and how patience has helped her be a successful mother with Christina.
What is a story and/or metaphor that the interviewee used to illustrate her values and beliefs?
When Mrs. Shell notices that a student is having a hard time fitting in they go over recipes about how to build friendships and relates it to making cookies. “You use certain ingredients when you try to find a friend. That seems to work for most children but other children need more intervention” Mrs. Shell told me. This was interesting to me because my mom was recently explaining how kids on the autism spectrum commonly lack friends, and in the highline school district they teach these metaphors in their special education programs to help the autistic students learn how to react to social cues. “But as long as they have one person in the class be it the teacher or a class mate that they know cares about them they’re going to be successful,” Mrs. Shell told me. This makes me think back on the advice Mrs. Shell received about treating her child like any other. Everyone wants to be treated the same as anyone else and shaming people for their differences can lower their levels of happiness and concentration.
What are the “hard questions” about the interviewee’s values and beliefs? How would she respond to those questions?
“Prisons are filled with people who have learning disabilities. We need to address that and concentrate on those with special needs at a very young age so that children don’t turn violent,” she said. My belief is that children with learning disabilities simply need attention but in a different fashion. Instead of focusing on what these students can’t do teachers should focus on what LD kids are good at. Maybe the reason why prisons are populated with so many of our learning disabled citizens is because they believe they aren’t capable of being successful. Most of them grew up being discriminated against by our own public school system and couldn’t learn the things that interested them.
How has your perspective on your own beliefs and values changed as a result of the interview? What was your biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
I believe it’s important that people are able to accept our most vulnerable members of society, because we can learn great things from them. “You have a big responsibility now to help continue the formative process; that society has to recognize that people with disabilities are not lacking so much but they are showing us what they have in a different way and we have to have the eyes to see it,” she told me. I took this to heart and I want to help people see how different the world would be if we would accept everyone for their differences and not push them away. We have been gifted with people like Addie and Christina why feel ashamed?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Text Study #2
Text Study 2
For my text study I read chapter 3 “The Hole in the Door” of The Short Bus by Jonathan Mooney. The book is about Jonathan Mooney driving around the United States in a short bus, or otherwise known as “the tard cart” or “the cheese box.” He goes around the country interviewing people who are “disabled” or “abnormal.” Jonathan was put into special education after being told he had a learning disability and had a diagnosis of ADD by the end of third grade. “The Hole in the Door” is a chapter about a twelve-year-old kid named Brent who hides in the bathroom during school but has a passion for soccer and paintball.
How does the text illustrate or challenge your values and beliefs?
Brent is afraid of school. “After his first few days of school he hid under the bed,” Brent’s mother says. He’s humiliated when asked to read in front of the class because words are hard for him to transfer from paper to speech. Brent was placed in the slowest reading group. This challenges my beliefs because the teacher in this case is being degrading toward Brent by placing him in a group of people who aren’t as nimble academically. I can personally relate to this because I remember in elementary school having to leave class to see a reading specialist and feeling like I wasn’t as smart as everyone else. It hurts believing that you’re dumb, but in reality you may be very intelligent in a different way.
What hard questions does the text raise about your values and beliefs?
I have often wondered why our culture is so unjust when it comes to school because dividing the “smart” from the “dumb” doesn’t make learning any easier. Brent will remember school being like a living hell because he is forced to do things his brain won’t allow him to. If students could explore their interests and choose their own classes like we do at PSCS they would not grow up with these scares believing they’re stupid. Soccer is something Brent loves, and when he’s in the game he isn’t thinking about how he’ll escape to hide in the bathroom. I used to go to the nurse’s office every day pretending I was sick to get out of class because I was so afraid. The positive memories I have of school were recess, assemblies, and fieldtrips to the zoo. Things really don’t have to be this way.
How were you reinforced in your values and beliefs, or how did your understanding of them change as a result of studying this text? What was the biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
Jonathan Moony talks about the term LD (learning disabled) and the history of its meaning. It used to be called word blindness and meant a neurological defect. I find it interesting because Moony then begins talking about the human brain and how people like him and Brent have a smaller left hemisphere (the section of the brain that processes language). Even though this is true, the brain is so accommodating that other areas become larger to compensate. This book taught me that everyone is smart in their own way. I dance, Lauren is a gifted writer, Oliver loves Aikido and some people love math. No one should be considered defective because they struggle with reading. Everyone has their own intelligence.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
My core values are respect, equality and acceptance. I believe everyone has their own intelligence.
For my text study I read chapter 3 “The Hole in the Door” of The Short Bus by Jonathan Mooney. The book is about Jonathan Mooney driving around the United States in a short bus, or otherwise known as “the tard cart” or “the cheese box.” He goes around the country interviewing people who are “disabled” or “abnormal.” Jonathan was put into special education after being told he had a learning disability and had a diagnosis of ADD by the end of third grade. “The Hole in the Door” is a chapter about a twelve-year-old kid named Brent who hides in the bathroom during school but has a passion for soccer and paintball.
How does the text illustrate or challenge your values and beliefs?
Brent is afraid of school. “After his first few days of school he hid under the bed,” Brent’s mother says. He’s humiliated when asked to read in front of the class because words are hard for him to transfer from paper to speech. Brent was placed in the slowest reading group. This challenges my beliefs because the teacher in this case is being degrading toward Brent by placing him in a group of people who aren’t as nimble academically. I can personally relate to this because I remember in elementary school having to leave class to see a reading specialist and feeling like I wasn’t as smart as everyone else. It hurts believing that you’re dumb, but in reality you may be very intelligent in a different way.
What hard questions does the text raise about your values and beliefs?
I have often wondered why our culture is so unjust when it comes to school because dividing the “smart” from the “dumb” doesn’t make learning any easier. Brent will remember school being like a living hell because he is forced to do things his brain won’t allow him to. If students could explore their interests and choose their own classes like we do at PSCS they would not grow up with these scares believing they’re stupid. Soccer is something Brent loves, and when he’s in the game he isn’t thinking about how he’ll escape to hide in the bathroom. I used to go to the nurse’s office every day pretending I was sick to get out of class because I was so afraid. The positive memories I have of school were recess, assemblies, and fieldtrips to the zoo. Things really don’t have to be this way.
How were you reinforced in your values and beliefs, or how did your understanding of them change as a result of studying this text? What was the biggest takeaway that will influence your final credo?
Jonathan Moony talks about the term LD (learning disabled) and the history of its meaning. It used to be called word blindness and meant a neurological defect. I find it interesting because Moony then begins talking about the human brain and how people like him and Brent have a smaller left hemisphere (the section of the brain that processes language). Even though this is true, the brain is so accommodating that other areas become larger to compensate. This book taught me that everyone is smart in their own way. I dance, Lauren is a gifted writer, Oliver loves Aikido and some people love math. No one should be considered defective because they struggle with reading. Everyone has their own intelligence.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
My core values are respect, equality and acceptance. I believe everyone has their own intelligence.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Practicum #1
For my practicum I challenged myself to love the things about people or situations that would otherwise irritate or upset me.
What experiences have you had as a result of practicing this belief or value that you would not otherwise have had?
I experienced a feeling of purpose. When people like my dad, dance teacher or even my dog did something that would irritate me, I would remind myself that they wouldn't be the same people if they didn't do those little things that bother me. And if my dad, dance teacher or dog were any different, then I wouldn't be the same person I am today.
Journal entry 4
November 24th
Tonight my dance teacher, Steve Casteel, kicked me out of ballet class for walking in with a sweater on. He did warn the class in advance, but he was never too clear about when we should take our warm-ups off. I was embarrassed and upset so I left the studio in tears. Negative thoughts were cluttering my brain. I took a step back and tried to look at the situation from his point of view. I began to think, maybe he's trying to help. Ballet is all about discipline, and in a company they won't be patient with you. Later, I went back to the studio to apologize to him. I said "I'm sorry, that won't happen again." He then told me "kicking you out of class hurt me more than it hurt you." He explained that all he was trying to do is help prepare me for the life ahead of me. He said it will be rough and that I will have to work with many teachers and choreographers that won't take any excuses. Steve then began to compliment me, saying I was a beautiful dancer and that he noticed me working hard every day I take his class. I felt so much better than I would have if it weren’t for this practicum. I don’t think I would’ve confronted him after the class and talked about the reason to why he kicked me out, and I wouldn’t have heard the nice things he told me. I appreciate Mr. Casteel for teaching me not only ballet, but the discipline behind the technique.
What new insights do you have about the belief or value you’ve practiced?
My dad picks me up late from dance sometimes, but he’s nice enough to give me a ride home almost every night. Sometimes my sister gets in these angry fits, but she’s comfortable showing her emotions around me. This practicum taught me that I can almost always find something positive in the things that trouble me. “I believe we should all find happiness” is a quote from my original credo; this is exactly a goal I’m trying to accomplish by finding the positive side of things.
Is the level at which you’re practicing sustainable in your life? Why or why not?
This practicum turned out to be a lot harder than I thought, but if I continue I believe it will become more natural to me. I felt really good about myself this whole week. I sometimes caught myself forgetting to resolve my frustrations, but with more practice it will become second nature to me.
What was your biggest take away that will influence your final credo?
I learned that when you really let yourself get annoyed, you can forget how lucky you are to have these wonderful people in your life. I will find true happiness loving people for who they are and everything about them; including their imperfections.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
I believe finding happiness is learning how to love people for their whole selves, and not the part of them that doesn’t annoy you. I believe if you focus on the positive side of things your relationships with people will improve. My core values that relate to this practicum are love, acceptance, and forgiveness.
What experiences have you had as a result of practicing this belief or value that you would not otherwise have had?
I experienced a feeling of purpose. When people like my dad, dance teacher or even my dog did something that would irritate me, I would remind myself that they wouldn't be the same people if they didn't do those little things that bother me. And if my dad, dance teacher or dog were any different, then I wouldn't be the same person I am today.
Journal entry 4
November 24th
Tonight my dance teacher, Steve Casteel, kicked me out of ballet class for walking in with a sweater on. He did warn the class in advance, but he was never too clear about when we should take our warm-ups off. I was embarrassed and upset so I left the studio in tears. Negative thoughts were cluttering my brain. I took a step back and tried to look at the situation from his point of view. I began to think, maybe he's trying to help. Ballet is all about discipline, and in a company they won't be patient with you. Later, I went back to the studio to apologize to him. I said "I'm sorry, that won't happen again." He then told me "kicking you out of class hurt me more than it hurt you." He explained that all he was trying to do is help prepare me for the life ahead of me. He said it will be rough and that I will have to work with many teachers and choreographers that won't take any excuses. Steve then began to compliment me, saying I was a beautiful dancer and that he noticed me working hard every day I take his class. I felt so much better than I would have if it weren’t for this practicum. I don’t think I would’ve confronted him after the class and talked about the reason to why he kicked me out, and I wouldn’t have heard the nice things he told me. I appreciate Mr. Casteel for teaching me not only ballet, but the discipline behind the technique.
What new insights do you have about the belief or value you’ve practiced?
My dad picks me up late from dance sometimes, but he’s nice enough to give me a ride home almost every night. Sometimes my sister gets in these angry fits, but she’s comfortable showing her emotions around me. This practicum taught me that I can almost always find something positive in the things that trouble me. “I believe we should all find happiness” is a quote from my original credo; this is exactly a goal I’m trying to accomplish by finding the positive side of things.
Is the level at which you’re practicing sustainable in your life? Why or why not?
This practicum turned out to be a lot harder than I thought, but if I continue I believe it will become more natural to me. I felt really good about myself this whole week. I sometimes caught myself forgetting to resolve my frustrations, but with more practice it will become second nature to me.
What was your biggest take away that will influence your final credo?
I learned that when you really let yourself get annoyed, you can forget how lucky you are to have these wonderful people in your life. I will find true happiness loving people for who they are and everything about them; including their imperfections.
What are your core values? What do you believe?
I believe finding happiness is learning how to love people for their whole selves, and not the part of them that doesn’t annoy you. I believe if you focus on the positive side of things your relationships with people will improve. My core values that relate to this practicum are love, acceptance, and forgiveness.
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