The Art of Possibility – Practice 2: Stepping into a Universe of Possibility

Practice 2: Stepping into a Universe of Possibility

This practice emphasizes the distinction between The World of Measurement, where we live most of our lives, and The Universe of Possibility, “where new inventions are the order of the day.”

In the World of Measurement, we get to know each other and the things around us by measuring them, comparing and contrasting them. Life is organized in hierarchies, an inside and an outside, competition, success and failure, it is the fight for survival. In The World of Measurement, there are only so many pieces of the pie. It forces us into scarcity thinking, which produces anxiety and fear.

It’s easy to see how most of the schools we teach in are rooted in The World of Measurement. We have set schedules; we are asked to report on students; in many cases, to compare students or assess them in a way that creates a hierarchy; we have standards to meet; and in the case of independent schools, we worry about enrollment and attracting families to our schools.

In The Universe of Possibility, it’s all about relationships, contributing, creating new ideas. “We gain our knowledge by invention.” It’s a world of abundance and openness. Every time someone takes a piece of the pie, the pie regenerates!

A presenter at the NTPRS conference this summer spoke about "fictional attribution", where you notice something a student is doing, and by mentioning it, make it (more) so: “You are a good listener.” “You are brave.” “You always notice things about nature.” By building relationships with our students, by helping them feel known, by providing them with new ways to know each other and the world, we allow them to be successful in ways that can’t be measured. That shouldn’t be measured.

Also, you "are more likely to be successful, *overall*, if you participate joyfully with projects and goals and do not think your life depends on achieving the mark because then you will be better able to connect to all the people around you."

This was the the most difficult if the 12 practices for me to sort out. Writing about it here has really helped.