One year ago, this tree was blooming as it is now but there were no people on the seawall, no tourists on the paths, and I was the only one taking in the beauty of this tree. One year ago, everything was so bleak. Many of my colleagues were being laid off . Although I was eager to begin my master’s degree, I was worried if I would be able to handle it all. With a degree in dance and my only teaching experience as an ESL teacher, I was full of uncertainty.
Today, as I took in the beauty of the tree surrounded by many, I reflected on our time in LRNT 525. It has been the course that was the most arduous for me. I am someone who prefers templates and structure. I understand that this course has been the course where I had to make clearer decisions about what direction I wanted my coursework and assignments to go. This course has been the one that brought all the other courses into focus and gave me a little more certainty to make choices. I feel that it has also helped me to pinpoint what I hope to do in my applied research project. I cannot say that my assignments have been my best work, but they have been the ones where I felt I have taken the biggest risks. LRNT 525 is also the course that allowed me to identify how I could use my new knowledge in my organization for good and put a new spring in my step.
March 27, 2022
Hi Sam,
Thank you for sharing that beautiful picture of the cherry blossom tree. It was today that I noticed that they have just “magically” appeared here in the city.
I agree that it is tough when there are no templates and structure but I also think that this is the opportunity to do “outside of the box” thinking can occur and creativity can take over. The lack of structure can open up the possibilities. Strong leaders have to be fearless to sometimes step away from the templates for meaningful change to occur. I’m glad to hear that you took risks. Remember: No risk, no reward.
March 27, 2022
Well said Gail.
I agree that it is important to think outside the box. I wish I had taken more chances earlier. I remember in our second class in the program with Loni she said, “No templates! This is a masters program!” That was when I started to be a little more creative about it all. I still have far to go but I am excited about the next year of our program.
March 27, 2022
Sam,
Your title is beautiful! Two words and yet I completely understand where you are in this moment of writing. Good for you for taking risks in this course! The longer I’m on planet earth, the more I firmly believe the things that are worth doing are hard, and for good reason. Thank you for sharing.
Amber
March 27, 2022
Thank you Amber! “What comes easy won’t last. What lasts won’t come easy.” I think all the most difficult assignments were the ones that stuck with me. I also feel like that one week we have between courses is where I am able to take a breath, take a look back, and understand what I have absorbed. I also really enjoyed your Toolkit. It really helped me in understanding assignment three.
Sam
March 28, 2022
My friend Sam,
I had the pleasure to work on a team with you and I remembered you sharing with me about the need of structure and templates. I asked you to go along with taking a leap into stepping outside the box of templates to create our project. And you did! It only takes the first step, then the second is easier and then you’re off to creatively design a path that will empower you to step outside the next box. I am glad that are continuing to take risks. Thank you for sharing this beautiful blog.
Stephanie
March 28, 2022
Thank you Stephanie.
I learned so much during that assignment!
Sam