Sir Ken Robinson and a PBS special taping

The Mr. and I went to the PBS taping of Sir Ken Robinson's special on March 21, down in L.A.
Ya know, you're typical Thursday night thing.

NOT!

I was SO freaking excited to score tickets to his lecture/taping (about his new book 'Finding Your Element')!!!!!! I saw on SKR's Twitter feed that he had a few more seats available for the taping and I whipped up an email begging to be admitted.

Who knew begging could be so beneficial?!?!

It was wonderful to listen, in person, to the speaker that helped me think so much about my own educational practices and how I can help foster creativity within my students, as well as help students find their passions. His work was a great inspiration to my thesis work and I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to see him live. What a treat!

His new book is a sequal to 'The Element' and acts as a guide to those that are seeking to find their element/passion/talent. While I feel in my element many times at work and in my personal life, I know we are all gifted in many ways. I want to read his new book to open myself to new opportunities and hidden talents that are currently dormant... I need to know how to keep my eyes peeled for them, so when they pop up, I'll be able to recognize them and ride those wild horses into the sunset!

Some of my favorite bits from the night were:
- Finding your element is finding the truth within you; and everyone is entitled to finding their purpose and work that is fulfilling.
- Sometimes people get caught up in a mission for/of their life, but really, finding your element is more like a quest, than a mission. A quest is a journey of discovery. We cannot predict our future, but we can open ourselves to a journey of discovery, one where every person is unique and we create our own life. After all, life, by nature, is creative.
- Life is not linear; it grows and changes. When you become frustrated by a temporary situation you are in now, think back five or ten years ago. Could you have predicted your current situation? Nope. We're all movers and shakers, going with the tides of life. Just point your boat in the direction you'd like to go and then enjoy the ride.

Risk - a poem by William Arthur Ward
To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.
Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.

The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
And the realist adjusts the sails.