Erika Lundquist needs 4 more people for the Face to Face With Greatness Seminar in Temecula, scheduled for April 9-10, 2010. She can be contacted by e-mailing evlundquist@gmail.com. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity! Face to Face with Greatness clarifies the forms and methodologies of Leadership Education and helps you to clarify an action plan that you can begin implementing immediately in your own educational and life processes. There are definitely 4 more people in our circle of influence that would benefit tremendously from this opportunity. Please let them, and Erika know! Thank you. ~Teri
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines paradox as: “a tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion, or seemingly absurd, yet true in fact. (Emphasis mine)
One of the four Merriam-Webster definitions of polarity is: “diametrical opposition.”
Have you ever taken a trip and flown across the United States in one direction or another?
If so, I hope that you’ll visualize the airborne images of the ground below.
If you haven’t had occasion to experience these images, I sincerely hope that some day you are afforded this opportunity.
It is interesting to look down on this great land of ours and see the visual contrasts that are before you.
If you fly across portions of the Midwest, or Texas, there are vast areas of what would appear to be “barren wasteland.”
They look to be so sparsely populated, that anyone strictly from a city upbringing could deem them “unfit” or “unliveable.”
Contrast that with descending into Los Angeles or New York, where space and land are at a premium…
and visually, first impressions would leave one to think that there simply isn’t room for one more individual…
no matter where you tried to “cram” them!
At times, this can create a huge human paradox.
Because you have experienced one environment or the other exclusively…
It becomes easy to go with received opinion, regardless of how seemingly absurd it may be…
even when it isn’t based in truth or fact.
Remember my self-confessed opinion of “farmers and their families?!”
Allow me to refresh your memory…
This is definitely a popular “received opinion.”
Here are some true facts of what was going on…
We have the paradox as alternate Dairy Princess…
And here, in yet another one of those “prom dresses” that, over the years…
made the closet, upon innocent attempt to merely open the doors…
into a serious “snakes in a can” type of situation!
You see, the mother of the Perky Paradox was no slouch herself!
She was quite the “looker” in her own right as a youth…
and had worked for Western Union as an operator!
The father…
totally immersed in farm life as a youth…
now worked for American Manufacturing and traveled the world as an adult!
DeDe had been blessed from birth with the voice of an angel.
So had the other sisters.
We had Lennon Sister harmonies going on 24/7…
and countless invitations and requests for singing engagements…
that drew eligible young men like bees to flowers!
How convenient that the Amish-cheerleader-with-her-face-in-a-book…
was a fairly decent piano player!
It was a hand-in-glove-fit!
Which honestly is how Americans used to be with one another in communities..
They celebrated their diversities and differences…
and built community policies on their commonalities.
Only now…
instead of statesman, who are versed in the arts of government, eminent for political abilities, wise politicians, small landholders ( in the very least),
and employed in public affairs…
we have ignorance.
Much of which is often self-imposed…
and a one-sided frame of reference for…
geographical upbringing…
religious orientation…
life experience.
And we, as a people, are the weaker for it.
In fact, it has ushered in a polarization between us…
that is dangerous to the maintenance of freedom for us.
Because we no longer understand each other from a well-rounded, responsibly informed perspective…
and we tolerate diametrical opposition…
rather than contemplate our fellow man from a paradoxical point of reference.
More simply stated…
My father is one wise man.
DeDe’s father was as well.
Not that our mothers were slackers.
They saw two kids…
that shared a common worldview…
that could both use a broadening of received opinion where the other was concerned.
And they encouraged us to be together whenever possible.
Consequently, it has made us into far more well rounded adults.
Okay, don’t poll our children.
But seriously…
Each of us is keenly aware of where the other is coming from…
based on two entirely different geographical experiences…
being brought together…
for the purpose of not only friendship…
but a keener awareness and understanding of the other.
Both great and effective statesmanship has the ability to, at the very least…
comprehend where someone else is coming from.
It is the wise parent in CORE and Love of Learning that creates circumstances…
where children can benefit from a different geographical experience.
Actual life experiences are the number one way to do this…
Classics are another.
It could be as simple as starting with this book.
Granted, it is based in a pioneer setting.
But it is a definite classic…
for allowing children to see in to a more georgic way of life.
Especially if they currently aren’t aware of one!
My challenge to you, as the awesome parents facilitating opportunities
and mentoring information intake…
is to start with yourself first.
Do you embrace paradox…
with a desire to understand…
knowing that you will be more well rounded for your efforts?
Or do you practice polarity?
Perhaps it stems from a lack of knowledge…
or a desire to remain comfortable in the “familiar.”
Either way…
maintaining freedom is dependent upon your willingness to stretch…
grow…
learn…
and experience.
And in today’s world, that is a definite paradox!
Amen! I am a city/Federal class girl. My father and mother being a hero and an artist generation came from the’”fly over zone”; and brought us back every summer to see and know what work really is and where food comes from. No, they are not making it in the back of Albertsons or Trader Joes! After raising 2 and 1/2 children in the “Federal class”, San Fernando Valley Cal.; we moved 41/2 years ago to the “fly over zone” We had a garden in Cal., some chickens and tried to shelter some of the onslaught of the city. However I have found the ideal situation is immersion. See it, breathe it and live it. Live in the fly over and expose them to all that the Federal class has to offer. I find it easier to live “here” and expose “there”. I tried it in reverse and it is just not the same. Fly over is truly more a way of life. If you do not or can not live there; the same is true in reverse. Expose them to all you can in the fly over zone. Read,read ,read and watch films if that’s all you can do. The book list is exhaustive this direction; more so than in the other one. There is a blog “the Pioneer Woman ” that tells it better than I can. There are agendas and goals for each side of this coin. I like the results of raising children in the fly over zone. I am not saying one is better than the other; just that each one not knowing about the other; really knowing what “they do”, knowing what the results are of “being there” and knowing “why” you choose to live there is not good. I am happy, and NEVER going back except to visit! Great insight Teri! Thanks for writing this.
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That was a fantastic read!! Loved it, every bit of it. So much wisdom. So many great points. There is so much ignorance in our society, it saddens me. I really enjoy learning about other people’s experiences, viewpoints, etc. It’s so fun to see how “the others” live, and what they think. Thanks for such a well written, insightful entry… yet again.
Motivates me to conquer my own ignorance by reading more.
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Recently, I had a conversation with my 14 year old son. We were discussing how people seem to be frightened to evaluate ideas, beliefs, and opinions that are contrary to their own. People seem unwilling to analyze beliefs from different angles and sides BEFORE coming to the conclusion of what is true and right. Even though one may cling to their original opinion, understanding of the other side is valuable. It is the loving thing to do.
None of us can come to truth unless we are willing to open ourselves up to the possibility we can be wrong. New ideas cannot be born unless we look at life through new windows.
It is healthy for the next generation to respectfully question the beliefs and practices of their parents and grandparents. Unfortunately many kids today are taught to conform and wait to be told WHAT to think. This has caused the older generation to not reevaluate the whys in their lives, which aids in leaving us all stagnant.
BRAVO, Teri, to your and DeDe’s fathers who opened your world beyond comfort zones. Thanks for sharing how this can be done and the value it rewards!!
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