Growth Reflection
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As I wrote to my
sister-in-law,
“I do love the GMU experience! I am finding
the PhD program is a whole new way to think!
I have always been one to love learning but I thought learning was an
“open the brain and pour in” proposition.
I was eager to open and absorb all knowledge offered. That was ok for a long time but now I need to
think critically, analyze, synthesize, and integrate knowledge from experience,
many authors etc. My mind is spinning
and I’m loving it!”
and later …
“I am
listening to a book – A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink as suggested by our new
superintendent. It is very interesting
and I am finding that I am beginning to question as I read rather than gulp
everything I “read”. I am integrating
what I am reading in this book to my classes, with other books and
readings. That is part of what I am
trying to add to my portfolio.”
A
sure sign of growth-
When
I started the PhD program it was compartmentalized into Monday-Thursday
classes, voracious reading, and homework on weekends. As classes started to
jell, I had a harder time discriminating between classes and separating time
for reading, homework, home, and work!
Now my mind is a swirl of PhD thinking, projects, readings, throughout all
aspects of my life!
In
Habits of Successful Members (2008) for Weight Watchers, I found a quote from
Henry Ford that summarizes my struggle. “If you think you
can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right. ”
Through
this process I have been invigorated by the quest for a PhD yet haunted by
doubts! In EDUC 805 the clash came to a
head. I needed to make the decision ….
and to adapt Barack Obama’s (2008) mantra, Yes I can!
Yet
that is not the final chapter! It is
only a beginning! Every day the haunting
begins as I see Portfolio Review… due, meetings, classes, work, family illness,
and responsibilities galore… I start to worry. I fight the urge to stop…. I
remember… the wisdom of others and of my accomplishments and dreams!
If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a
thing, you're right.
Henry Ford (1863 -
1947), (attributed). http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/2330.html
“It was a creed written into the founding documents that
declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards
freedom through the darkest of nights.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers
who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.”
Barack Obama
(1961 - ), New
Hampshire Democratic Primary Speech, 01-08-08- From http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/40438.html,
1-19-2009
