OAL 250
I think your leadership style largely defines your ego and type of control you like having over one another. I believe an individual who leads with an autocratic leadership holds little care to learn from others. They are more self-centered and always think they are right, thus never leaving any decision making to other group members. I honestly can not think of many situations where an autocratic leadership would be appropriate.
As far as democratic leadership, I think it is a much better form and concerns almost everyone’s input. A leader under this role allows free discussion/input amongst group ideas and interests but also dictates certain decisions. Sometimes this works great, some groups need that leader to confirm the decisions and make it happen. Although, there are other times when it’s best the leader just gives the members a voice and allow them to decide what should be done or not.
Abdicratic is a total, student-centered approach. The students/members hold the floor and their decisions are what’s valued most. I believe this is a great approach to leadership, but it also depends on the age of the group and their willingness to open up.
Overall, I would personally rather lead any outdoor-adventure based activity or teach in an educational setting under both the democratic and abdicratic leadership. I think being able to mix up and be flexible to both leadership styles, you are more prone to be effective with your students.
OAL 362
I think it’s hard to choose which to save- the actual culture or the cultural artifacts. Both aspects are important to avoid cultural extinction. Saving cultural artifacts are beneficial for both locals and tourists. However, it can also negatively affect the actual culture through tourist influences. Tourists influence local culture by presenting their own norms, environmental alterations/impacts, and their consumption and use of local goods. Therefore, a historical artifact of culture may invite more tourist, which may result in negative impacts on the culture. I believe historical artifacts are both sharing and selling culture. The artifact is considered sharing culture until it becomes exploited by mass people, thus changing it to selling of culture. Overall, culture regardless is affected by tourists and world-wide issues.
The gondola proposition in the Fiorland has both negative and positive impacts. It will indeed provide individuals who don’t have the physical ability to see more of the national park. It will also bring more tourist wealth into the nearby town, Te Anau. A gondola will provide beautiful views and a easy way to experience such beauty.
However, I believe the negatives out-weigh the positives. Building a gondola will not only bring in more people and environmental damage, it will also change the overall persona/vibe in the woods. Instead of Howden hut being a destination for agile hikers and outdoorsy souls, it will bring in people who may be less environmentally appreciative. As of now, when people hike into the hut, they get there and breath in fresh clean air. They chose to make a strenuous hike out to the woods, away from many people and materialistic impressions. However, by building a gondola, this type of breath will no longer go as deep as it now does. Like many other adventure circuits, it can easily be exploited and no longer become desirable. Once a gondola is built, a hotel will be needed, which will bring restaurants, shops, and in the end, a village. I believe it’s best to alter environmental-adventure attractions as little as possible. It causes less damage and keeps the natural beauty in the national park.
OAL 375
Ch. 55- Our scuba guide, Liz was full of vital energy and spunk. Right when she sat us down to brief the dive, her energy was beaming. I could tell she loves diving because she spoke with such enthusiasm. The energy and love she expressed was passed on to me, and I too became energetic. In ch. 55 it states, “Excitement is rooted in passing desires. Vital energy springs from the eternal.” I think these two sentences truly express how someone’s passion can be passed through vital energy an amongst one another.
Ch. 47- After our briefing on diving we got in the pool and swam around. Our two diving guides were very in the moment. They were here now with us, helping us get comfortable under water. Because their present attitude, we were able to also be here and now with them. We were able to do less and achieve more by being aware of what was happening.
Ch 40- This Tao chapter mainly reflects on my process while diving. Being under water was like mediation for me. I was free-flowing, in a calm, present mind state. I was silent in the water, taking everything in. I think such a meditative process probably occurred for many other divers too. I think this mind-state is also important for people who are scared to dive. The guide could have related diving to meditation. By being with oneself, present, and silent, you can overcome your fears of diving (and heaps more).
OAL 275
Ch. 54- I chose this chapter because many times on our trip there has been a ripple effect of emotions. For example, during some activities people rudely and negatively speak out regarding one another’s actions. Once harsh words or motions are spoken, it’s easy for others to also speak negatively. I have learned and I put an effort into staying positive. By returning ones harsh remarks into positive, influential reactions, you can reverse the ripple effect. I have found it best to just smile and laugh. My influences begin with me and ripples outward, so by being wholesome, I can alter negative ripples into positive ones.
Ch. 58- For many of the activities on this trip, I have practiced the unfolding process. I have fought the thoughts of asking questions and in return, I’ve just let the process unfold. I concentrated on being here now. So far I think I’ve been effective at trusting what is happening. I plan on continuously practicing the unfolding process and this quote from the chapter really hits home for me, “If there is silence, let it grow; something will emerge. If there is a storm; let it rage, it will resolve into calm.”
Ch. 76- As a leader and also a participant I believe I’ve been effective at being flexible. On such a trip, it’s important to be flexible. When it rained, I looked at it positively and found another activity to do. When the group wanted to do one thing and I wanted the other, I became flexible. When I hurt my foot, I also became flexible by giving myself non-physical activities such as art. Being flexible is a crucial aspect to wise leadership and also a positive life. We are all growing, and by being flexible throughout the process, we are able to grow more at ease.
~ Mumbalina Fiesty Pants
No comments:
Post a Comment