We've been spending a great deal of time playing with Cleverbot. There is something so amusing to me about sarcastic artificial intelligence. You'll have to check it out- www.cleverbot.com . Of course, maybe I enjoy watching the boys interact with it more. They are more clever and witty than I am.
My son told me his public high schooled pal was required to watch Degrassi during school hours because it helped them learn about "real life". I nearly spit out my iced tea. If anyone ever criticizes our unschooling choices, I'm saving this one for ammunition.
I asked my son if he thought a fictional show, designed to generate profit from marketing dollars, was the best choice for learning about REAL life? I'm happy to report he gets it. Why not learn about REAL life by living it in the REAL world?
In fairness, we've never watched Degrassi, just the promos, but from what we gather, none of our REAL friends resemble Degrassi drama. I'd also like to give the school the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the teacher was trying to use a work of fiction to teach values, and I have nothing against using works of art as tools of instruction. However, what came out of this young man's mouth was, "We HAVE to watch it because it teaches us about REAL life." Do you see the problem here? Actually there's several red flags in that statement for me.
Onto something else that has my feathers ruffled. I'm weighing a decision that pulls against what my heart wants and what my head says I should do. I'm leaning towards what my head says, which is so unlike me. I always follow my heart!
I can't just list the pros and cons because each line item carries a different value, which is difficult for me to truly access. This decision could help me reach certain goals, but not in the way I had originally intended. I'm being challenged with having to head down a different path, TRUSTING in that it will all work out.
I know what I want, but I can't see how to get there. A path presents itself and I can't see exactly where its going to lead. Do I trust it and follow? I have to remember I always carry with me the strength and wisdom to TURN AROUND or find a new path if my journey becomes unhealthy or takes me away from my dream. So I'm going with my head, not my heart. It will hurt, but I've learned these past years that through pain comes increased strength and endurance.
Having this opportunity come to me isn't something I've engineered so there is a feeling I'm somehow taking a step backward because I'm seizing something I haven't worked for, but there will be a sacrifice I have to make. I only hope I can balance it all out.
Alright, if you're still reading this, I'm amazed you're that interested in my deep thoughts. I write these for me to think. And to kill time, which I've sufficiently done now. Time to stop working on myself and do a little work for others.
9 comments:
Never heard of Cleverbot. I'll have to check it out.
I'm sure which ever choice you decide on, it will all work out. :)
I'll have to check out Cleverbot. Never heard of it before this blog! I have learned over the years to trust my gut. Sometimes it's the head making the stomach swirl, and sometimes it's the heart. Whichever, I trust my gut. The times I haven't, I've been sorry. I think maybe it's the way God it talking to me/us. Follow that first gut reaction, because it usually pans out. Keep us posted!
Remember, no one knows the future. All you can do is your best at working toward your goals and be prepared to adjust when necessary. Trust your instincts and you'll be fine.
This is a good point! My heart said one thing, my head another, but my gut reaction was, "Dawn, you have to do this." Since making the decision, its starting to settle in and I can see how this may help lead me to a better place in the long run. I feel blessed just being able to make a choice. So many others are not given that luxury. For the record, this is entirely a work related issue. It's tugging at my heart strings because it will pull me away from my family and my personal pursuits.
(((Hugs))) Thanks!! When I did realize I could make adjustments if I needed, that helped me find peace in accepting this offer. Nothing is permanent. Change is always happening.
nice "strings" of interaction. Only one observation from here - It would seem that the "gut reaction" has the vote. But this, of course, is not a voting situation. It is a Hard choice among three outcomes and the "gut reaction" has the support of all of you in the end. And that concensus is something that Political figures in every culture in the world, to my knowledge, have never accomplished!! So the four of you are "up" on the politicians of the whole world - if that makes any difference to you four!!
Cheers,
Jim the Fee teelee123 knows me so she can vouch for me or deny ever having heard of me - that's her "gut" reaction choice "To vouch for; or not to vouch for -- that is the Question" and also Ah! there's the rub!!
Thanks for stopping by and chiming in Jim the Fee/Smartbuck. Another reason I think I've learned to trust my gut comes from playing Trivial Pursuit. I can't tell you how many times playing that game I've second guessed my initial answer and lost out. I tend to over think things rather than enjoy life for what it is.
Thank you sending back,dawninger. I assume that we can continue to get to know one another,now. maybe to the point of becoming friends?
First some stats on me;male,83yofa,born 12/22/1927in Cut Bank, MT (USA)Had a long stretch of teaching in my life - first as an instructor in the USAAirForcee (1947-1949), next as a High School teacher of Speech and English in Marion,Illinois (1954-1955)then as a university instructor at So. Illinois Univ.-Carbondale(1955-1959);as an Asst.Prof thru Full Prof. of Speech at Murray State Univ.,Ky.,(1961-1967) and finally wrapping up my formal careers as an Associate Prof. thru Professor Emeritus with The University of Akron, Akron OH,(1967-1990)That means that I have been retired for 21 years living in Akron and keeping busy. I like people, have found the internet a most fascinatingplace to spend time and to learn a lot about a lot of things. I am not fearful of talking about politics, religion,and any other topic that might be brought up. I have a strong tendency to "overtalk" probably a hangover from my teaching days. Ihope that people will find me interesting and will wish to become my friend. That is enough about me for now.
Cheers,
Jim the Fee
We don't watch Degrassi either but from the commercials I don't think its a show appropriate for all kids. The last commercial I saw was about a girl in high school and she figures out she doesn't love boy but girls instead and it shows her kissing a girl. I know this is all part of real life but I think the commercials need to be toned down a bit.
I do enjoy your writing and your deep thoughts. I do hope your path that you follow brings you everything you are wishing for
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