Day 4: "StarPower just got REAL!"

This week I decided to start my days by going running early in the morning.  My goal for the summer is to run 2-3 times per week to stay in shape, but also just to prove to myself that I can stick to it for ten weeks and make a habit out of it.  Camp is one of my favorite places to run because since I don't know how far I'm going, I just go and go until I run out of time. Plus it's just so beautiful, peaceful, and the perfect way to start my day.

Day four was all about possibility: realizing that there is endless possibility in every opportunity.  We watched a clip of Benjamin Zander, the author of The Art of Possibility, which I read this past semester.  Although Zander is borderline crazy, it just shows that he's so passionate about the five things that will change your life:

1.  Sit in the front row of your life
2.  See mistakes as "fascinating"
3.  Quiet your inner voice
4.  Live in possibility
5.  Realize that it is all invented

Having these concepts reintroduced, especially in the LeaderShape setting, was great because I realized how each different concept can work in specific situations.  To me, sitting in the front row of your life is like living without missing out on anything.  It's showing up on time, doing what you say you will do, taking the pilot's seat on your life and doing what's important to you.  Living in the possibility is thinking of every situation, problematic or not, as an opportunity for growth.  In any situation, there are endless possibilities that are just waiting to be explored, it is simply up to you to recognize them.

Earthquake was easily one of the weirdest, yet one of the most interesting, group activities that I have ever done.  One of my favorite parts was watching people in my family start to improve their leadership styles: Doug started intentionally asking for the opinions of others, Jon spoke up right away, Mati always made sure we were in agreement before moving on, and it was just so cool to see so much improvement after just a couple days of LeaderShape.  I think it was after this activity that I began realizing how much I loved my family.  We're a great bunch of people.

After dinner, we did StarPower as an entire learning community.  There is really too much to describe, but it was a learning experience for sure.

I learned that in a group of that many people, if my opinion is not the popular one, I feel that it is unimportant.
I learned that the previous statement is completely untrue; individual opinions are always important.
I learned that power is abused easily and absent-mindedly.
I learned that a group starts to fall apart when the leaders fail to see from the point of view of others.
I learned that I withdraw from groups when I become frustrated with the way the group is functioning.
I learned that in order to become a better leader and team member, I need to be conscious of the times when I withdraw and instead, force myself back into the situation and state my opinions, even if they are unpopular.