The Anwer my Friend is Blowing in the Wind

Been thinking about all the questions I have… and was drawn to Bob Dylan’s Blowing in the wind. Especially this verse got my attention: How many times must a man look up Before he can see the sky? Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have Before he can hear people cry? Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows That too many people have died? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind. Wow, there are obviously many difficult questions throughout this song that have equally challenging answers. Why would answers to such profound questions be blowing in the wind? How are they just blowing? For I have never been able to see the wind, I can only see or feel the effects, good or bad. However, the outcome or aftermath from a bad storm is real, but not always predictable. In some ways like a difficult decision, outcomes are not always easy to deal with for everyone involved. Good and bad always comes from any decision. Methinks this song is all about the flaws of human nature. We as people spew so much anger and hate in the world around us. When we look back on the creations of our hands and minds we see greed, mediocrity, corruption, we see war, death and despair. Even after decades (maybe centuries) we are surrounded by these hateful crimes. We see all of the negativity on the news every morning noon and night. Indeed sometimes it’s hard to even comprehend the evil and sinful acts that humans are able to commit against each other. Yet we seem destined to repeat ourselves and we are unable to eliminate those petty emotions like jealousy and fear. It is emotions like these that guide our hands when we judge others whom we don't understand. These are the roots of prejudice and evil. It doesn't matter how many people we see die around us; we never seem to learn from any of it. Humans have been killing each other off since they first discovered how to. Nevertheless, even after thousands of years of death and destruction we still engage in war to solve our conflicts. We can share the deepest love for each other yet in a moment’s notice we can turn around and hurt someone whom we barely know. We constantly find faces for our troubles and people to blame, when the truth is we only need to look in the mirror to see who is really at fault. We perpetuate the evil that eats away at our souls and hearts. There is something so self-destructive about the human nature. It doesn't matter how many videos or books or stories we read about things like greed or corruption, it’s no closer to being eliminated from our mindset than it was in the days of old. This song begs the question, how many times? How long must we continue living in the dark before we see the light? It asks the ultimate question, when will we learn from our mistakes? This song reminds me of the fact how we are restricted or confused by our surroundings (the physical) and therefore fail to notice the most obvious truths in life (the Spiritual), to do whatever that might be helpful to the world, to ourselves. It means getting past our pride to see that the answer is right in front of us. Humility is the key. Humility is a spiritual virtue, and therein lies answers to life's questions.. “…be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Pet 5:5)

Musings of a PhD Student

Two years ago, when I started this site, I thought I had it all figured out. I was in the very early stages of my PhD work and thought I was going to be focusing on how EQ could improve leadership performance in schools. I hadn’t planned to bog about it but I think it makes sense to. Here’s the thing: It turns out that doing a PhD is hard. Really hard. And amidst many sleepless nights of writing papers, examining primary research and reading more journal articles than I can fit on a very large bookcase, I had to let go of many things, and socializing is one of the casualties. I don’t know if I should apologize or be happy (in some way am more peaceful in this solitude). In fact I think there’s a silver lining: As I near the end of 2nd year… I think it just ended actually –I am learning that as much as I had it all mapped out… I didn’t!. Part of why I wanted to do a doctorate in educational leadership is because I wanted to contribute to building better, effective educational leaders. This site represents my experience into that, with musings based on research, articles and books I’m reading. While the updates are sporadic right now, they probably will be less so in the coming months. Think about it.. I had planned and even applied for an MBA to run concurrently with this PhD. But that would have been a cakewalk compared to the dissertation I’m starting after data collection if I succeed in my proposal defense- which in itself qualifies to be a phenomenological study of the lived experiences of being a PHD student in Moi University. But that is a story for another day. My Phd is a correlational study of EQ, Instructional Leadership and Learning Outcomes. I have mused together with my supervisor as to what the DV is IL or LO. We finally agreed last week that it is LO. That being clear, I am using adapted standardized instruments.. the MSCEIT for EQ and PIMRS and the SAQ for IL.. and for learning outcomes my employer has been gracious to allow me to use Baseline data on EGR and EGMA in the counties I lead in implementing the Primary Reading and Math Initiative. Essentially, that means I’m going to have head teachers who fit into this demographic (school leadership) about what they’ve experienced, and synthesize the information to find the essence of the experience through filling in the MSCEIT and the PIMRS. They will then have teachers under them to rate them on the SAQ. Trust me, it’s more complicated than it sounds. But I can’t wait to get started. This is a topic that is very personal to me and very relevant this area of education– Bush and Oduro say that Principals are appointed on the basis of years spent in the system rather than by any leadership traits or values that they exhibit. Ayiro says leaders with high EQ post better learning outcomes. So if we have horrible results like what we always cry about, we have a leadership problem… The problem can’t be solved until it is documented. I want to say a few things about this journey. Over the past two years, I’ve grown more than I ever thought possible. This is not a journey of regurgitating facts and philosophies – it’s about being able to desegregate information in a completely new way and look at things with a judicious eye. The only experience that I can think of to compare to it would be having children – it is very persona, and will never be the same even if you had more than one child. In other words… there is no expertise on a PhD journey, there is only experience. .. I never could have comprehended what it would be like without going through the experience I have had first-hand. The greatest change of perspective I have had is how I look at faculty… I do look at faculty in a whole new way. You may see them as just having expertise in a very niche area (certainly!) but doing something like this involves more than just learning subject matter. It completely changes the way you think and process information. I look back at the person I was two and a half years ago and know that person would have annoyed the heck out of the person I am now. So, please cut them some slack. Do they know everything? Certainly not. And the good ones will admit that. But don’t disregard what they are saying either. They may be able to help you look at information in a way that you never would have considered otherwise. PhD, for all intents and purposes the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’ve hated parts of it, but looking back now it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I much prefer the person I am today over the person I was two and a half years ago, and that’s entirely because of this experience. Yet more is yet to come. I have had a good measure of frustration and exhilaration too… So it takes me back to what LPA told me a few years ago... “If you want to be a true Dr, you must allow yourself to suffer… punish yourself at the altar of excellence.” If you are planning to do a PhD by all means do it.. you will grow by leaps and bounds…and you will of necessity read A LOT!!!

Only by pride cometh contention

The cycle of wickedness, misery, repentance, prosperity, pride, contention, wickedness, is seen among the people in the Book of Mormon. Most of these challenges are attributed to ego, selfishness, pride, malice envy…

“And again, the Lord God hath ^acommanded that men should not ^denvy; that they should not have ^emalice; that they should not contend one with another; ….and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish.

Contention drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our members away. Contention ranges from a hostile spoken word to worldwide conflicts. The scriptures tell us that “only by pride cometh contention” (Proverbs 13:10; see also Proverbs 28:25).

Pride does not look up to God and care about what is right. It looks sideways to man and argues who is right. Pride is manifest in the spirit ofcontention. Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride.

Some people consider contention to be a small sin. However, the following two statements by latter-day prophets emphasize the seriousness of this sin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cautioned: “The sins of corruption, dishonesty, strife, contention, and other evils in this world are not here by chance. They are evidences of the relentless campaign of Satan and those who follow him. He uses every tool and device available to him to deceive, confuse, and mislead” (“Deep Roots,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 76).

Marvin J Ashton: of the Quorum of the Twelve: There never has been a time when it is more important for us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take a stand, remain firm in our convictions, and conduct ourselves wisely under all circumstances. We must not be manipulated or enraged by those who subtly foster contention over issues of the day.

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.” (3 Ne. 11:29, 30.)

We need to be reminded that contention is a striving against one another, especially in controversy or argument. It is to struggle, fight, battle, quarrel, or dispute. Contention never was and never will be an ally of progress. Our loyalty will never be measured by our participation in controversy. Some misunderstand the realm, scope, and dangers ofcontention. Too many of us are inclined to declare, “Who, me? I am not contentious, and I’ll fight anyone who says I am.” There are still those among us who would rather lose a friend than an argument. How important it is to know how to disagree without being disagreeable. It behooves all of us to be in the position to involve ourselves in factual discussions and meaningful study, but never in bitter arguments andcontention.

In the March 1991 edition of the Ensign, Elder John K. Carmack, then serving in the Seventy, noted the diversity that defines the modern-day Church. Differences among the members, he wrote, need not lead to divisions among the members:

“The question of whether there is a unifying force powerful enough to overcome the divisive elements of diversity is answered with a resounding yes! Inspired and energetic leaders are required. Where there is vision, the people respond. The doctrine is in place. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Church, and all who join are ‘no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God’ (Eph. 2:19). The prophet of God gives us a single authoritative voice on matters of doctrine and practice. Priesthood authority granted to men gives them the right to baptize, bestow the Holy Ghost, and bless our congregations with unity without robbing us of our diversity. Authoritative scriptures contain the word of God to guide us. Basic gospel ordinances, weekly sacrament meetings, temple blessings, and a universal priesthood and Relief Society are available. The gospel is centered in homes, and the work of spreading the gospel through missionary service and temple service for our deceased ancestors keeps all members involved, providing a dynamic, action-filled life for the Saints. Undergirding everything, the Holy Ghost unifies all who live worthily to receive and magnify its gifts.

“Despite these simple and unifying doctrines and practices, there are some barriers to creating a greater unity amid our diversity. These barriers include racial and cultural discrimination and attitudes of separatism. The gospel is marvelously sufficient to create the desired unity, but people are imperfect. Discomfort because of language barriers, fear of accepting those with differences in skin color, alienation of singles—all have created barriers to unity. Usually, this mistreatment, isolation, and discrimination is self-justified by the use of labels. Labeling a fellow Church member an intellectual, a less-active member, a feminist, a South African, an Armenian, a Utah Mormon, or a Mexican, for example, seemingly provides an excuse to mistreat or ignore that person. These problems and many more need to be addressed if we are to create a society such as that which Enoch created. “As we become one with God, we will become one with each other. As we become one with each other, we will become one with God.

President James E. Faust of the First Presidency warned, “When there is contention, the Spirit of the Lord will depart, regardless of who is at fault” (“What I Want My Son to Know before He Leaves on His Mission,” Ensign, May 1996, 41).

 President Henry B. Eyring, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, echoed the essential role the Holy Ghost plays in bringing about unity in a divided world: “Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony. The Spirit puts the testimony of truth in our hearts, which unifies those who share that testimony. The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Ne. 11:29). It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others. It unifies souls. A unified family, a unified Church, and a world at peace depend on unified souls”