Comments on: Great Expectations of Change

By: Barry Elias

Barry Elias — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:14:08 +0000

January 22, 2009

Dear Mr. Carpenter:

“Great Expectations of Change,” as published January 22, 2009 by Positive Psychology News Daily, was quite prescient.

Your presentation comports with my belief that development occurs intrinsically and empowers self efficacy.

It is interesting that you note how extrinsic (external) events and/or environments can provide the impetus for positive, internal growth.

Your biographical information is quite impressive.

I would love to learn more about your work with Team Concepts (e.g., possible application of the Losada Line methodology).

Thank you kindly for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Barry Elias

By: Angie LeVan

Angie LeVan — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:07:12 +0000

Derrick, what a fantastic article!! I truly enjoyed it and may post a link on facebook, urging my friends to read it!

Thank you!! Miss you!
Angie

By: Iris Marie Bloom

Iris Marie Bloom — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:25:27 +0000

Sorry y’all, my comments look so long and blocky! So here is my pledge for the future in the form of a “note to self”

Dear Iris,

You need to have compassion for the reader and keep your comments shorter and you need to learn how to make your paragraph breaks show up when you post comments! Otherwise people may think you are ranting, when actually you are saying subtle, interesting, positive, specific, useful things which expand our imagination of possible futures!

love and laughter,
Iris

By: Iris Marie Bloom

Iris Marie Bloom — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:15:07 +0000

Yay Derrick! I think many people are saying this same thing in many ways, reflecting the spirit of the inauguration, but not usually as eloquently as you, in such an organized fashion, with footnotes and pictures and links to boot!
I’ve been interested to observe the hope factor in terms of how it’s been playing out in my own life. I’ve noticed myself “raising the bar” in both small and large ways in response to the reality that new leadership is moving forward with, instead of against, many of my ideals. Someone powerful is providing leadership regarding emission limits; I’m doing more to organize for clean water, and have even started using a “gray water” system to conserve water in my own home. (I always knew it was a good thing to do, but was somehow too lazy to get around to it! But it’s so simple, even turns out to be fun!) Someone powerful is possibly being more constructive in the Middle East; I go out to events to listen to Palestinians, Israelis, Jewish peace activists, anthropologists and foreign policy experts so that I myself can become better informed and more engaged again, as I used to be. Someone powerful is giving a clear “no” to torture; I breathe a big sigh of relief and feel more space in my life to meditate, as I feel slightly less of a screaming emergency to respond, as a citizen, to the needs of the least visible and least powerful others whose lives are daily impacted by my government.
In this way, I actually believe a political environment is similar to a physical environment. Thus, to add another metaphor to your argument: People can write incredible poetry from a prison cell (which for political prisoners is both a political and a physical environment), using the most adverse circumstance as a catapault for creativity and spiritual development. Once the constraint of the cell is removed, they may at times find it challenging to re-organize their creative energy! But most people will then find a way to “raise the bar” for themselves, which is exactly what you are challenging our whole society to do now that the change in administration gives many idealists more room to organize for good.
That said, with all the focus amongst the punditry on keeping expectations within reason, let’s also keep in mind that sometimes the synergy between positive leadership and positive grassroots idealism in action can actually create a very dramatic positive difference throughout a society (the tremendously effective literacy and healthcare campaigns of Allende’s Chile, for example)…so, let’s not underestimate ourselves, either!

By: Joan Young

Joan Young — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:02:39 +0000

Great article Derrick! I think it is so important for us all to realize that it’s not just our president who has some tough work to do: it’s all of us, working together and taking responsibility.
I was listening to John Mayer’s song, “Waiting for the World to Change” this morning, and thinking how that song was born of a time when many were disenfranchised and unable to see themselves as part of any solution or contribution.
http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/john-mayer-lyrics/waiting-on-the-world-to-change-lyrics.html

I hope we can mobilize, and have faith and hope that our efforts can truly be put into action like the Ghandhi quote: Be the Change You Wish to See in the World.

By: Aren Cohen

Aren Cohen — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:07:17 +0000

Derrick,

What a fantastic article. Thank you for making the political perrson, explaining to us what really motivates change and how we must “carpe diem” if we want to make the profound changes that make us happier and healthier.

Cheers!
Aren

By: Louis Alloro

Louis Alloro — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:23:33 +0000

Awesome, Derrick. Really powerful.

Yes, change has to come from within, but leveraging the environment as you say is so crucial. How do we expect people to begin recycling more unless we provide receptacles in places where garbage cans are normally found?

I like how you give good warning to us at this crossroads in presidential leadership: He is but ONE man and while his vision is inspiring, it will be up to US to help live it — to realize it — to create it. A good time for practitioners of Positive Psychology, I’d say!

Thanks again.
Louis