Americanah

I recently read Americanah, a novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2014).  

The book details the lives of two young Nigerian lovers, both intent on escaping the political and economic uncertainties of their native country.  One (Ifemelu, a female) views the prospect of American life as an intriguing possibility, and interestingly, is able to obtain a visa and live in the U.S. for a number of years.  The other (Obinze, a male) views the U.S. idealistically, (Val Halla? Nirvana?), infatuated by the possibilities that exist for those who can obtain legal residency in the U.S. 

I expected a book about the struggle of modern black immigrants trying to assimilate and live in the United States, with subplots about race relations.  Instead, it seemed to me the book was about race relations, with subplots about the struggle of modern black immigrants trying to assimilate and live in the United States. 

The book triggered within me much reflection on our realities as imagined (what we call fiction) versus our realities as perceived (what we call non-fiction).  In the book, Ifemelu experienced the full spectrum of possibilities of existence in the U.S.:  from poverty which drove her to prostitution with a tennis coach (white, if that matters) to cohabitation with a millionaire jet-setter (white, if that matters) to a long-term romantic relationship with a Yale professor (black, if that matters).  I continually found my assumptions about race relations in the U.S. being challenged.

The book forced me to (re)consider my view of those who choose to continually point out, postulate upon, and perseverate about our differences as humans (and also seem to deem humanity as some sort of privileged species on this planet) versus those who choose to continually point out, postulate upon, and perseverate about the possibilities that exist in our world if love, community, reconciliation and tolerance could pervade (these folks seem to view humanity as simply co-inhabitants with other life-forms on this planet).  As a fall-of-life-American white male, if that matters, I'm praying that the God of my understanding will judge the latter to be the nobler of those dispositions.

My biggest takeaway:  Race matters, a lot. Even when it shouldn't.

This book is masterfully written prose, and cognitively-emotionally provocative.  Very glad I read it.

Hope'sMirage

Any vision we have of a better future is built on hope.   Hope, however, is only a mirage, a figment of our imagination.

While hope is arguably a necessary motivator for us, it is an abstraction that in and of itself has no power.  What really moves us toward our vision is a concrete plan of action, deliberate steps to be taken, firm commitments of time, resources, and effort.

While hope is a beautiful thing, it is really nothing more than wishful thinking.  Realizing those aspirations can only occur when we've intentionally committed ourselves to achieving those dreams.

So, absolutely, let's place our hope in a better future.  

Then let's craft a plan of action that will move us in that direction, making the mirage a reality.

SystemsServitude

Both in our personal and professional lives, systems play an incessant role.  Ideally, the systems we use "grease the skids," make our life easier, allow us to accomplish our goals/tasks with fluidity and efficiency.

What systems, you ask?  Either consciously or unconsciously, we use systems (i.e., habitual processes) to:

• Brush our teeth
• Report in for work 
• Cook breakfast
• Enroll new students
• Put on our clothes
• Greet our friends
• Take phone orders
• Apply our cosmetics
• Close the deal

Ideally (as noted above), those systems make the navigation of life and work easier, simpler, more seamless.  They allow us to do mundane/frequent tasks consistently, without burning up too much physical or mental energy. 

When, however, we put systems in place that "get in the way," become cumbersome, choke efficiency, add unnecessary layers of work, foster customer dissatisfaction rather than endearment, limit rather than enhance employee performance, then we have erred.  Time to tap the brakes, to reconsider. 

Deploying ineffective or inefficient systems is no sin; usually, it's just an inattentive oversight.  The sin lies in hanging on to those systems (or insisting that we hang on to them) once we realize their futile nature.  That is when we step across the threshold from simple mistake into the realm of conscious self-limitation.

Our systems should serve us, not the other way around.  Stop the madness! (when it needs stopping)

Stimulus

Those of us who work with other people get to see both the best and the worst from them.  Interestingly, we can actually have an impact on their behaviors and performance.  

Regardless of our title or role, we can serve as a stimulant in the workplace through some very simple and cost-free behaviors:

• Honor what's important to others, whether it's important to us or not.
• Know the people we work with, call them by name, exhibit care for their wellbeing.
• Be transparent and open in our interactions (no secrets, no subterfuge).
• Notice and celebrate the small victories/successes.
• Always communicate with courtesy and professionalism.
• Ask others questions about themselves, then listen (too much and too intently).
• Express gratitude relentlessly.
• Have high and well-articulated expectations for all, and even higher ones for ourselves.

The effects are even more powerful when it's the leaders demonstrating those behaviors.

One word kinda captures the whole enchilada - respect.  Treating others respectfully always makes others feel (and usually act) better, and it almost always makes us feel (and usually act) better, too. 

Respectfulness is the stimulant that keeps on giving.

Weirdo

I must admit, I might be a weirdo.

If it makes me weird to prefer 
> food that has not been doused with pesticides, I guess I am.
> food that has not been treated with herbicides, I guess I am.
> food that has not been sprayed with fungicides, I guess I am.
> meat that has not been injected with antibiotics, I guess I am.
> meat that has not been implanted with hormones, I guess I am.
> food that has not been tinkered with genetically, I guess I am.
> food that has not been embellished with numerous chemicals, many names of which I can't pronounce (much less know what they are), I guess I am.
> food that does not have to be cooked into oblivion to assure its safety, I guess I am.

Granted, our government assures us that the aforementioned "treated" foods are completely safe.  It endorses, supports, and subsidizes the production and dissemination of those very foods.  Our government even insists the same be fed to the children in our schools, to those serving in our military, and to those who receive government assistance through food stamps.

Thus, that food must be healthy and safe.  Right?  

I don't think so.  If that makes me a weirdo, then I'll plead guilty.  Gladly.
(Never felt like I was in the mainstream of thought anyway.)

StarterDuty

I've spent 36 years of my life as a professional educator, helping youngsters get a good start on life.  A good chunk of that work has also been directed at helping young teachers/coaches/principals/parents learn the skills of "living" gracefully and performing effectively.

I guess my role in this video is simply an extension of that previous work.  :-)

Never retiring...

Tension

Tension rarely pays dividends.  In fact, it usually yields negative outcomes - damaged relationships, compromised health, reduced productivity.  Unlike focus and intensity (both good states), tension puts us in a state of strain, emotionally and/or physically.  

More often than not we experience tension when things get out of control, or better stated, out of our control.  When we let ourselves drift into a state of tension, it has absolutely no effect on the circumstances.  What the tension does do, however, is negatively impact our ability to think, to perform, and to use sound judgment.  

Those of us who work with others experience conflict on a regular basis.  It's just part of the deal when interacting with other humans.  When we allow ourselves to become tense, even in the midst of conflict, we are less effective and more likely to say/do things we'll regret later.

Even when circumstances seem to spin out of (our) control, we can and should remain calm, clear-headed, and focused.  

It's a learnable skill, and anything less makes us less.