Saturday, November 19, 2011

What is your 'element'?

I am currently reading this book by Ken Robinson. I realise that I am possibly one of the few people (and educators ... ouch!) who didn't know about it until yesterday but I have certainly found it at a very fortuitous time in life - seeing as I am seeking my personal 'element', as it were.


I read the first chapter to find out what the 'element' was (worried that it might have to be something I would have to positively visualise into being or discover the secret of) and then, reassured, skipped to 'Is It Too Late?', for obvious reasons, me being on the bad side of fifty five. Fortunately it isn't too late, unless I want to leave my ambitions to be the lead in Swan Lake until I am nearly 100 and haven't taken dance lessons by then. Phew!


Are life changing experiences generated by books like this, or is it that people who want to change their lives seek out the means (books, blogs, gurus, education, networks, whatever) to help them make the changes? My journey of change started with quitting my job as a primary school teacher a few months ago. What that journey would mean and where it is likely to take me were all up in the air at that stage. I just knew that I had to stop what I was doing in order to have the time and energy to think about what to do next.




One thing that is very obvious to me is that social media of various types are playing a big part in connecting me to people, ideas, books and thoughts. Amazing stuff really.





2 comments:

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  2. Oh Julie I love this post! Swan Lake comment very funny! and you are not the only person not to have heard of this book - and it sounds good - Swan Lake here I come!

    I really enjoyed reading about why you left your job as a primary school teacher. I really relate to why you had to stop what you were doing in order to think about what you wanted to do next.Wow, what a brave thing to do. It is so easy to let things go on and you took control and made a really courageous step - I have such admiration for you. I work as an Learning Support Assistant in school and I see how many hours the teachers put in - I started a PGCE to train as a teacher and dropped out because I could see how it would completely take over my life. I couldn't bear the thought of not having time to paint, or to be with my kids when I wanted to.

    Here's to a new and exciting future. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.

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