Systems and Such

The bush is full of blooms. Focusing on one can illuminate the beauty of the whole bush full of blooms. So it is with focusing a group's energy on one purpose and how to maintain a purposeful environment.

I have been pondering the underlying causes of a non-functioning system. I have asked myself why it stays in existence. Surely the purpose is beyond power games, passive resistant manipulation,  saying one thing and doing another - or not doing at all, finding fault with someone who is taking the lead, or collectively yielding to micromanagement  - which I would suggest is the ultimate form of a non-functioning system.

Non-functioning may be the wrong term if it means that the system is just sitting there doing nothing. I would suggest that its meaning is neither that there is no apparent function for its existence nor all that gets done is irrelevant.

I would suggest that a non-functioning system is lacking in the inspirational source that was at its inception and that the solution is not to close shop, but rather to change so to be an inspiring presence.

Organizations of which I have been a part, have suffered this dilemma of sinking into a non-functioning pit of quick sand. None  the least of which is public education.

Twenty years in public education and I never understood the function of making kids come to school every day, sit behind desks, read, write, listen, and take a test.
 
For the entire twenty years, I never found a way to fit into the groove expected of me. Over the course of those twenty years, I did find ways to facilitate change where I was. My internal experience was one of continually being overwhelmed with the whole systems transformation needed in public education.

The thing is, there wasn't a core of people in each district in the - well,-  in the world to change the whole system of education.  The hundreds of demonstration schools, the thousands of charter schools, the umpteen number of home schooling groups, are all "spits in the park" compared to what is needed.

Part of all that movement in the direction of change is that by nature they are individual, unconnected efforts. Frithy frothy marshmallows of billow bubbles proclamations of hope accompanied with great applause for their efforts  is not going to make it happen either.

It will happen when the occasion of focus brings this movement together to move ahead as a very public demonstration of systems transformation.

The same is true at the heart of every dynamic, massively spread out as is public education, or a small leadership core of a not-for-profit.

Where do you see a need for a system in need for a whole transformation?  What will it take?

Destination: Today

Didn't get perrmission to use this, nor do I know where it originated, but isn't it awesome?

This month, I participated in a series of teleconference workshops. they were a pioneering adventure, one which I wasn't about to miss.

The final of five workshops was about contemplation time in a busy world.  The leader had studies with Thich Nat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist,  since the 1980's and shared how she practices. One of t he questions she asked us to share in pairs was something like, "What keeps us from slowing down and taking time?"

Even though I do have a rich solitary life, the question was still relevant.

May answer:  I have an ailing heart and have much I would like to get done before I go.

Her response was, "You'll never get it all done.". She said this not only once but four times.

Needless to say, I experienced the offense, even though I knew this was true.

This event reminded me of the famous turning point lines in Requiem for A Heavyweight, where Ma says, "Where do you want it? Here or in the alley?"

I really don't want to answer this one more time in my life.  Nevertheless, it is a question that each of us are asked in some form or other almost daily if not more often.

I prefer here and today, now, thank you. this is all I have and it definitely is worth living with eyes open wide, in response to the really real.

Of course, in the movie, the line was about doing what Ma wanted or getting shot. So Ma got her way.
So, I do what Ma wants, metaphorically speaking.

How about you?  Where do you want it? Here or in the alley?