Exploring Resilience via Lifes Burning Issues

Category: Patterns (Page 13 of 17)

Better than normal!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/weirdcolor/2966114569/

photo by Look Into My Eyes

So 2009  is nearly gone and 2010 is almost upon us…. lots of people are getting around to doing their planning for the next year. Reflecting on the consequences of last years plan, setting goals, creating to-do lists or coming up with their three words like Chris Brogan, or using a multitude of other planning tools.

What’s the Vision?

Most of what people are doing with their planning is trying to set out their vision for 2010 and/or beyond. So I thought taking a gook look at vision would be a great way of taking a peek at 2010.

20 20 or simply normal?

You probably know that when people talk about having perfect vision they talk about having 20/20 vision.  Or what is considered normal for human visual acuity.

But what does normal vision mean? When talking physical sight 20/20 means the ability to distinguish between two objects approximately 1/16th of an inch apart from 20 feet away (or 1.5 mm apart from 6 metres).

What we are trying to do when we are setting a vision for our lives is to distinguish and choose what items/objects/values are going to be most important to us as we move through next year and try to see what the finish line will look like or us.

Anecdotally we know that the only time most of have perfect vision in dealing with our lives is in hindsight, by why can’t we have better than perfect vision moving forward?

20 10 – or better than normal?

When we refer back to physical vision, 20 10 vision is twice the acuity of 2020…. or better than normal.

We have all used different planning tools in the past. So now is the time to ask yourself whether these tools really helped you to distinguish between the items/objects/values to turn your year into a success, or whether they really continued to produce more of the same.

We have many options available to us. The internet allows us to find many different planning tools and to adapt either to the tool as a whole, or to adopt one or more of a tools various components.

Ideally we should be looking for elements that will allow us to develop our 20/10 or better than normal vision, so whatever tool you adopt or adapt it really needs to be helping you to better distinguish between the items/objects/values etc that will contribute to your success.

I hope 2010 is a year of great success for you!

What tool have you adopted or what customised solution have you adapted to help you build your better than normal vision for next year?

A sad reflection on choices.

Gavel by WalknBoston

Gavel by WalknBoston

My Period of Reflection
 
I have been quiet here for a bit…. and that is because I have been participating in a Coroners Inquest into the drowning deaths of eight children. Each of these deaths is an absolute tragedy. Sadly toddler drowning deaths, and children being left severely disabled by non-fatal drowning accidents, occur all too frequently. In the developed world drowning is one of the top three causes of accidental death in children aged 0-4.

Being in the middle of a series of posts on choices, my time in the court was a cause for a great deal of reflection on the subject of choices, and on the consequences that can flow from seemingly harmless choices by a wide range of people.

Systems choices and the perfect storm

The choices that lead to the deaths of these children were not just choices made by parents or caregivers, they were also systems choices made by people . Choices  State Governments to ignore previous recommendations from Coroners to improve regulation and compliance with Swimming Pool fencing laws. Choices by  local government to not implement inspections and choices to not follow up on development applications. Choices made by real estate agents in leasing premises without regard to the safety of the pool. Choices made by landlords about what they would and would not repair. Choices made by retailers of swimming pools about what information they provide regarding the safety of swimming pools and the need for them to be fenced and comply with legislation.

Any single one of these decisions on their own would seem to be inconsequential, but as happens all too often, numerous choices not to act or choices to ignore result in a “perfect storm” and someone pays the price. Sadly in relation to swimming pools it is often a young child.

The Stigma

Many people often place the “blame” solely on the parents of children who have drowned without looking at the systemic issues involved. I have responded to one Journalist who is against proactive measures to reduce toddler drownings here.  Anyone with children will tell you that you cannot keep your eyes on them 24/7, it is impossible.

Maybe part of the reason it is so hard to effect change in this area is because of the stigma that people place on the parents of a child who has drowned/near drowned, that causes them to be very reluctant to speak out about the circumstances and issues surrounding the event. The additional fear of backlash after telling their story only serves to compound the grief and guilt that they already feel, and it always comes from those who say they ALWAYS watch their children.

Society in General

We all have a responsibility to help keep ALL of our children safe. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to prevent the leading causes of accidental death of our young children………

what would you be prepared to do to help save the life of a toddler……. how would you help stop the tragedy of child  death and disability from drowning….. I’d love to hear your suggestions……..

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