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| "Water Rippling" 4freephotos.com |
I was struck by the comparison you made using Orson Welle's
story “War of the Worlds” (1938), and
how as only an invented story, so many took it as the real thing”, what a great
analogy about how people can react to “perceptions” about an event. You brought
in the comparisons from the reading in a very succinct and poignant way,
connecting how those “identification mechanisms” work and were triggered by
this seemingly real story. You chose a great graphic "Water Rippling", to convey the idea of the ripple effect we have on each other. Very nice.
I also agree with your comment about the “quality” of the
contribution we make and know you are making a huge difference in the quality
of the young lives you interact with; helping students learn how to speak and
see (your assistance with facilitating contacts for eye glasses) is amazing!
Kudos for your compassion and kindness.
You are “molding diamonds in the rough to 50 carat wonders”! Well stated and so true!
Deborah’s Post:
In the book “The
Art of Possibility” (in the chapter entitled “It’s All Invented”) as soon as I
began to read the words: “We perceive only the sensations we are programmed to
receive, and our awareness is further restricted by the fact that we recognize only those for which we have
mental maps or categories” I thought of an actual event in history that gives
clear evidence of the impact and results of “perception.” On Sunday,
October 30, 1938, Orson Welles’ "War of the Worlds" radio
broadcast, implanted a vivid and horrifying "script" into minds of radio listeners throughout the
United States. The actions of the listeners, the army, and the scientists
were all based on their “perception of fear and danger.” Their eyes could
not see the actual creatures or the spaceship, however the audio images
projected to the brain triggered fear. Perception triggers mental
images in our brain. As a result of the “identification mechanisms” that
were triggered -- they were set in motion to react. In this
historical instance, the identification mechanism perceived this broadcast as a
warning of actual, imminent DANGER. Newspapers recount the mass hysteria
that resulted from a finely sculpted, radio script designed for Halloween
entertainment. This event begs the question: “Had the listeners
been informed from the very beginning -- or even intermittently during the
broadcast -- that this was only a scripted story, would there been the same
reaction? The manner, the timeframe and the context of data deposited as
well as when, how and the amount of data is digested -- are all parts of the
“perception” equation. The War of the Worlds -- it was all invented.
How will I be
a contribution today?
Life presents us
with challenges that we must all face in our own ways. Yes, some seem to
have it easier than others -- causing comparison of people. A
contribution that enhances the life of one person has a “ripple effect” in that
more than one person is ultimately changed. What is more important to me
though, is the quality of the contribution. In that regard, my
contribution consisted of the bits of data that I was able to disseminate into
the wide eyes and receptive brains of my students. Further, these
students have a multitude of circumstances in their young lives, which inhibit
the process of learning. Today, a child who came to me without speaking English
could now speak in a complete coherent sentence. Today, another student
whose parent was not able to provide necessary medical needs such as eyeglasses
since September was able to obtain a free pair through my conversation with the
appropriate resource agency. By expanding the educational process, I mold
“diamonds in the rough” into finely chiseled 50 Carat wonders! This is
done not only with a contribution of education -- my contribution also consists
of loving, sharing, and caring -- “By any means necessary!”
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