Collaborating

Ideals in collaboration:

To begin---the goal is initially described to the group.  i.e.  We need a Christmas party for a large group. Or, we need to plan a 3 day youth conference.  Our purpose (for the Christmas party) for everyone to be visually pleased, content with the food, comfortable with the company, and festively involved.  Or our purpose for the youth conference is multiple spiritual opportunities, opportunities to serve, fun mingling between wards/stakes/ learning something new (skill, information).

There is consensus on the outcome goal.

Then you get into the detail planning--how do we accomplish those goals?:

1.  Each person has a responsibility to bring something thoughtfully prepared to the table.
2.  Ideas from all are acknowledged and appreciated and noted. Respectful, encouraging, and thoughtful words are used about comments and contributions.  Smiling by the moderator is key.  Humor is often helpful.
3.  Not any one person's ideas are used mostly.  Some ideas from each contributor are used.
4.  People are willing (how do you create an environment for this to happen?) to modify, make new ideas, combine ideas---and volunteer to help make everything happen.  Everyone has talents to offer.
5.  The product emerges as ideas are synthesized, gathered, and melded.

How does consensus on the product occur?

 

Volunteers

I am a volunteer chairman for a big yearly event that comes up in February.  I have been the co-chair for about 7 years but this year, I have the main responsibility.  One of the changes I wanted to make was to update the application process and do it with a spreadsheet through email. (I know, it could be even better than that. . . but this is an improvement and should simplify our scheduling process).  I emailed the spreadsheet to all the those who participated last year, removed the old application form from the website, and crossed my fingers.  One participant in the event swore at me (via email). Another sent very disparaging comments about how inconvenient it was and how unthoughtful it was to change the application system a month before the deadline.  At the last big event this fall, the 1st year chairman resigned after being treated poorly and feeling so discouraged about efforts made on behalf of the group.  It's often difficult to find chairman for events and it's no wonder.  Volunteers should be appreciated. I'm determined to react graciously and patiently----that usually happens best if I have some time to plan my reaction.  I'm also trying to remain strong and not take things too personally.  I appreciate my co-chairmen who are supportive and uplifting. But, sometimes, I would like to share my views on the matter of volunteers.

Report on Bike Riding Goal

There are four of us who bike together.  Lately, we've been doing 30 mile bike rides.  We've done most of the major bike trails around D.C.:  Capital Crescent Trail, W&OD, C&O Canal, Custis Trail, Mt. Vernon Trail, Rock Creek Trail, and a few lesser known ones such as the Metrobranch trail, Sligo Creek Trail, the Northwest Fork Trail.  We've been up to the Shady Grove metro stop, out to Ashburn and Reston, northwest on the C&O canal trail almost to Leesburg, down to Mt. Vernon.  It's been a great month of October to be outside a lot and enjoying the beautiful fall colors!  We still have the goal of completing 100 miles in two days and hope to complete that goal in November.

I've added a few things to my bike (actually, Paul's bike):  a bike rack in the back with a pannier and fenders.  I carry a nice tool set and extra tube just in case.  I trust that between the four of us, we could figure how to change a tire. . .

Fall colors on October 29

This is a September picture along the C&O canal at one of the Locks.

Here's a link that shows a map of many of the trails we've been on this fall:

http://www.commuterpage.com/biketrails.htm

11th Article of Faith

I had some moments yesterday on my drive back from Richmond to ponder this statement of belief in one of the Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:  "We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege to worship how, where and what they may."

There are some things that stand out to me.  It is the only article of faith that does not begin with "We believe".  Saying that "We CLAIM" is a big statement.  It is a right to worship in the way we feel is correct.  To me, that means we can stand up for what we believe in. Indeed, we SHOULD stand up for what we believe in, even taking political action to protect our beliefs.  We can oppose those who try to take aways our rights and privileges.  This example is given clearly in the Book of Mormon with Captain Moroni.  Some people in an effort to get their rights, end up threatening my rights to worship the way I feel is correct. . . I think we have to be on the alert for that.

The other word that really stands out to me is the word, "allow".  Others can worship in the way they feel is correct.  It doesn't mean that we will all worship the same, that we will all have the same conscience directing us to worship in a certain way.  It makes me think of tolerance for each other.

Now, I may feel that the way I worship is right, true, correct. . . the only correct way. . . and I may want to share that with others so they can enjoy the happiness, joy, and blessings that I have. . . but if they don't want it. . . that is their choice because they can follow the dictates of their conscience.

Just thoughts on a fall day. . . between Richmond and Arlington.

Out of Your Comfort Zone

What's good about doing things out of your comfort zone?  It makes you stretch and improve.

Recently, I spoke to about 50 members of Northern Virginia Music Teacher's Association about teaching music theory and making it fun for students.  I had had the assignment for about 8-10 months and had put much thought into the presentation.  I have a goal to not get nervous when I speak to large groups, to be able to remember what I was going to say, to say it succinctly, clearly and interestingly.  I think that only comes with practice.
I alluded to this opportunity in my blog about motivation.

It went well, I thought.  I had plenty to say for the amount of time I was given.  I enjoyed the presentation.  There was good audience participation, smiles, and some laughter.  I think everyone had fun.  I was glad to have had the opportunity.  Maybe I'll be able to do it again.

Grey Hair

My mom's hair turned grey early.  I remember when she colored her hair.  I used to give her a hard time about it.

But, I've been repentant about that for a number of years since I still do not feel old enough to have grey hair.

When "should" one go grey, given the opportunity to have some control over it?  Good question.

My grandma colored her red hair until she was about 80.  Then, she went abruptly white.

Jeff's hair is almost as grey as his dad's and his older brothers are only sporting a few gray hairs.  

Is it funny to have a husband with grey hair and a wife without grey hair?  Is it best to "grey" together?

Dancing and Scuba Diving

This is a 22 year old story:

As a child, my dad taught me many things.  I usually listened pretty carefully and was greatly influenced by his opinions.
(To the point that when my husband and I bought our first new car, I insisted that we not get automatic windows because my dad had always complained about how it was one more thing to break. . .  On our second new car however, we got automatic windows)  Another of my dad's opinions was agains scuba diving.  Two men in the stake had died in separate scuba diving incidences leaving behind young families.  It was truly a tragedy.  So, I grew up always thinking that scuba diving was extremely dangerous and irresponsible.  However, I married a man who had always dreamed of how wonderful it would be to scuba dive.

A year into my marriage with Jeff, we were at the Red Sea during a 6 month school-related trip to Israel and surrounding areas.  It is one of the prime snorkeling/scuba diving locations in the world.  Since Jeff wasn't scuba certified, we went snorkeling.  While we were out in the water, we got separated and I didn't see him for several very long minutes.  It seemed like 10-15 minutes to me at least.  I was sure that I was a widow.  I was so scared that Jeff decided that he wouldn't be going scuba diving.

While I was in college, I took lots of ballroom dance classes.  I loved them!  It was SO fun, so romantic.  I even talked Jeff into taking a latin dance class during the spring term before we got engaged.  He did well in the class, but didn't love it.  That was about the last dancing we did together.

He didn't scuba.  I didn't dance.  For 22 years.

Then, we took a western Caribbean cruise that included a stop at Roatan, Honduras---another scuba mecca.  I decided that I couldn't really say no for this second opportunity.  So, Jeff, Paul, and Eric took a scuba class that allowed them to go down about 40 feet into the water.  William went along too, but he was too young and just snorkeled.  They LOVED it!

Shortly after returning home, Jeff casually  mentioned that I could sign us up for a dance class.  I found one close to our house. . . unfortunately, the session was only 4 lessons long. . . but, that was good for now.

So, last week, we attended our first dance class.  We learned the tango and the waltz.  It was great fun!

9/23/11 Bike Miles

A couple friends and I have a goal of riding 100 miles over two days during Thanksgiving weekend.  We've started preparing and go on long rides every week in addition to other physical training during the week.  Today, Brenda, Alesa and I took a 23 mile round-trip ride to the Washington D.C. LDS temple.  It was wet and rainy almost the entire time, but the temperature was in the 70's, so it wasn't so bad.

Here are some thoughts:
1.  I love being outside.
2.  The temple is a beautiful destination, a nice restful place, and a spiritually uplifting site.
3.  It's fun to share fitness goals with friends.
4.  I'm grateful to have physical strength and stamina----though I have a ways to go to make it twice as far as I did today.

Observations on Motivation 9/17/11

I want to share some things I have observed lately.  Some of what I share will relate to the following topics:  piano lessons, dieting, child-rearing, personal motivation and education among other things.  These are some observations from this week.

1.  Children are motivated by teamwork and meeting the expectations of the group.  My son's piano teacher has "teams".  Children within the teams play trios or duets.  The trio groups are working on three trios.  Each child has a high part, a middle part, and a low part between the three trios allowing them a chance to learn a part in three registers on the piano.  They get together once a month and can practice what they have learned so far.  Highly motivating!  No one wants to be unprepared at the meeting.

2.  Children are motivated by high standards and rewards for reaching them--extrinsic awards help, but intrinsic rewards are very valuable too.  Son #3's geography teacher (8th grade) set the high standard of 97% on tests.  If a student accomplishes that on every test, he doesn't have to take the final.  Son #3 got a 99% on the first test! (May that continue after week 1.) Son #1 is being motivated by his desire to share a message of vital importance to the world.  Son #2 is being motivated by high academic standards and being surrounded by good minds. Son #4 is motivated by being recognized for fulfilling his duties responsibly.

3.  I am motivated when I have to report to someone and when I have set goals.  I'm currently actively using nutrimirror.com, an excellent nutrition/dieting/exercise recording site that gives great feedback based on your goals and progress toward those goals.  I keep track of what I eat every day and how many calories I burn with my exercising.  On Tuesday, I weigh in and take measurements.  I also have a friend with whom I exercise.  We schedule our mutual exercising times a month in advance and honor those appointments.  We have been doing this for about four years now.  We meet usually 3x a week for an hour each time. Another friend and I have a goal of a 2 day-100 mile bike ride in November.  I feel a great deal of motivation to get prepared so that it will be an enjoyable experience.

4.  It is motivating to have a deadline. I belong to a book club which I've been a part of for close to 20 years.  The membership has continually changed as people move, but I've lived here for a long time.  It's motivating to have a date to meet and talk about a book.  I'm currently reading "Unbroken" about Louie Zamperini, a track star for the 1930's and his involvement in WWI.  It's written by Laura Hillebrand.

5.  Finally, it's motivating to do something out of your comfort zone.  I'll report on that in about two weeks.