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I'm Melissa CleaverThis is GlimmerED: a blog space created to explore what ignites the glimmering of ideas, that lead to gleanings learned along the way, which transform into growth.
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August 2018
Ideas Ignited Become #GlimmerED
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GlimmerED - the flicker or flash of an idea that ignites curiosity, excitement, and learning.
My own GlimmerED idea began as the desire to start a blog. It is somewhat mind boggling that I didn't snub this glimmering out, because I've been sitting on it for over a year. That is the thing about a glimmering; with the right conditions it can ignite. So I want to give a great BIG shout out to the fan to this flame…Keegan Korf, @OPSMrsKorf. She has brainstormed with me and fueled this little ol' glimmer as it began to flicker. Thank you Keegan! Over the past year the idea began to evolve. I received new glimmerings. Like the idea of combining blog writing with interactive visuals and audio podcasts in a space that I could collaborate with others. I imagine that may take time to ignite as well, but it is there waiting for the right conditions. So why did it take so long to manifest? I wonder if it was a procrastination of sorts. You know that whole theory of early human responses to danger? Fight. Flight…or Freeze. (The Fight Flight Freeze Response) |
Keegan Korf, changing the world!
Fight, are those personality types that won't back down in situations that they feel threatened. I bet you can pick out someone with this response. They are the kind of folks that always have to get the last word in a discussion, debate or argument.
Then there are those who avoid any conflict; these are those who choose flight. They leave (either physically or just mentally check out). Maybe they become absorbed in checking their phone, watching t.v. etc. Finally, there is a third response (which is typically my go to response)…freeze. |
I discovered while taking a life coaching seminar that core to my personality is the freeze response. I've never really understood the primal importance to the freeze response. Seriously, a bear approaches and you just freeze? There is no survival in that response! Wouldn't the bear simply start snacking on you? What I do know is that in my brain I just can't determine if I should flee or fight, so my brain begins this massive spiral of debate to the point where I simply do nothing.
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What does that have to do with me starting this blog?
As I reflect on the evolution of this GlimmerED idea, I've come to glean that 'freezing' does have some benefits.
In this case my continuous cycle of dancing around this glimmering of an idea allowed for a mediation of sorts. It allowed 'the idea' the space and time to reflect on the possibilities of a blog. The right conditions were created for the ignition. I first explored an earlier concept for the blog, 'Spiritual Girl Living in a Material World.' I was so psyched to have found my niche. However, to my dismay after some internet searching I discovered others had this same idea…already in a blog. **sigh** I returned to square one….the desire to start a blog. This led me to begin to reflect on 'what was my why?'
Why ask Why?
I've always been a collaborative person and one of the things that really gives me 'heart beeps,' as one of my favorite Twitter vlogger @thelivbits says, is exploring questions and ideas, especially with others. When something comes along that piques my interest, I become thirsty with questions, one after another trying to discover the why, how or what of something. As far back as I can remember I've explored the 'whys' of things. Why is my little brother afraid of bugs? Why do I love the euphoric feeling when swinging? What kept my high school government teacher from sending me to detention after flipping him off (hmmm I sense a future blog entry)? How is it my parents can fall into deep conversations like long lost friends after divorcing? What inspired me to become a teacher? I let my mind drift and come up with logical or even fantastical reasons around each question. I absolutely LOVE the questioning!
Maybe this comes from some deep rooted religious foundations my parents instilled in me. In the Baha'i Faith, a world religion, we are encouraged to independently investigate truth. In fact, Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of this world religion, has a book titled Gleanings and his son 'Abdu'l-Bahá answered a series of deeply philosophical and spiritual questions compiled into a book called Some Answered Questions. Another concept that has emerged from my Faith is consultation. Baha'i's are encouraged to seek answers through a consultative process. So is it no real surprise that questions, questioning and collaboration are core values I cherish and have emerged as the foundation of this blog.
This concept of questions spurring the mind into deeper thinking is not new to my career choice as an educator and was recently solidified while attended the 2018 ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) conference.
In this case my continuous cycle of dancing around this glimmering of an idea allowed for a mediation of sorts. It allowed 'the idea' the space and time to reflect on the possibilities of a blog. The right conditions were created for the ignition. I first explored an earlier concept for the blog, 'Spiritual Girl Living in a Material World.' I was so psyched to have found my niche. However, to my dismay after some internet searching I discovered others had this same idea…already in a blog. **sigh** I returned to square one….the desire to start a blog. This led me to begin to reflect on 'what was my why?'
Why ask Why?
I've always been a collaborative person and one of the things that really gives me 'heart beeps,' as one of my favorite Twitter vlogger @thelivbits says, is exploring questions and ideas, especially with others. When something comes along that piques my interest, I become thirsty with questions, one after another trying to discover the why, how or what of something. As far back as I can remember I've explored the 'whys' of things. Why is my little brother afraid of bugs? Why do I love the euphoric feeling when swinging? What kept my high school government teacher from sending me to detention after flipping him off (hmmm I sense a future blog entry)? How is it my parents can fall into deep conversations like long lost friends after divorcing? What inspired me to become a teacher? I let my mind drift and come up with logical or even fantastical reasons around each question. I absolutely LOVE the questioning!
Maybe this comes from some deep rooted religious foundations my parents instilled in me. In the Baha'i Faith, a world religion, we are encouraged to independently investigate truth. In fact, Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of this world religion, has a book titled Gleanings and his son 'Abdu'l-Bahá answered a series of deeply philosophical and spiritual questions compiled into a book called Some Answered Questions. Another concept that has emerged from my Faith is consultation. Baha'i's are encouraged to seek answers through a consultative process. So is it no real surprise that questions, questioning and collaboration are core values I cherish and have emerged as the foundation of this blog.
This concept of questions spurring the mind into deeper thinking is not new to my career choice as an educator and was recently solidified while attended the 2018 ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) conference.
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During the conference, ItsLearning hosted the ReThink Learning Summit and explored the Personalized and Differentiated Learning session led by Alan November. He shared the importance of questions for engaging learners minds. He led an activity with us to prove his point. It also triggered an inspiration of the 'why' around creating this blog. To explore and ponder on questions, to create glimmers, gleanings and growth in my own personal learning and anyone else who wants to follow this journey of #GlimmerED.
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What have you #GlimmerED? I'd love to hear about what ignites your curiosity to learn or insights that impacted your life. I hope to use this blog space to explore some gleanings and growth together, so I invite you to share your thoughts below OR to tag me on Twitter (@Mrs_GlimmerED) with a post using #GlimmerED.
I look forward to seeing where this will lead us! Visit often and explore my Blog page for more #GlimmerED entries.
I look forward to seeing where this will lead us! Visit often and explore my Blog page for more #GlimmerED entries.
Sources:
Braive. (2017, September 8). The fight flight freeze response [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJhcn7Q0-LU&feature=youtu.be
TEDxTalks.(2016, November 3). What is the value of a teacher? Alan November TEDxWestVancouverED [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN4c0EqY61o
Braive. (2017, September 8). The fight flight freeze response [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJhcn7Q0-LU&feature=youtu.be
TEDxTalks.(2016, November 3). What is the value of a teacher? Alan November TEDxWestVancouverED [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN4c0EqY61o
Disclaimer
This is my personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong solely to me and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the I may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. Content provided on this blog is for informational and personal growth purposes only. I make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions of information. I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.
