I must admit... Many of the principles discussed in The Art of Possibility are concepts I completely believe in and have used as guides during my life. In fact, at times while reading it I have wondered if there was a point to continuing (The irony does not escape me). While reading, I have had a lot of 'of course' and 'naturally' moments.
And then it happened... Epiphany!

I have two sons (Drayton 5 and Dalton 3) who I love with all my heart. Lately, my oldest son and I have started developing a bit of a contentious relationship. He seems to challenge me at every turn. Of course, I, having a tendency to be too authoritarian, haven't budged. In fact, I have often responded by increasing disciplinary action, rules, and restrictions. Often he has left me shaking my head wondering why he is so stubborn and uncooperative, wondering why he seems reluctant to submit and bend to my will.
Well, I am humbled to admit that chapters 6 and 7 hit me like a ton of bricks. When dealing with my son, I am letting my calculating self rule the day. Instead of accepting the fact that much of his behavior is simply a result of being 5 and being a product of his stubborn and often uncooperative father, I have been attributing it to flaws or deficiencies in him. Do not get me wrong. I understand he still needs guidance and, at times, a firm hand, but I need to understand that he is five and he, although he seemingly has inherited some of my traits, is his own unique perfect person. I have to be a more accepting guide as I help him figure out this path called life. I love him and I need to look at changing my approach to fatherhood as opposed to attempting to force change upon him.
By the way, it was also humbling that my arrogant 'I already know this so why should I read this' attitude that I expressed earlier was also put in it's place. Gee, was I possibly just rationalizing reasons not to do the work? And shockingly reading led to learning. Who could have guessed?
Here is a video that Drayton shared with me that reminds me of all of this. It's about 'The Way Things Are.' After all, we have to let a 5 year old be a 5 year old and a duck be a duck.
Maybe he's been trying to teach ME something.