About OCGJWB

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So far OCGJWB has created 7 blog entries.

The Beauty of Imperfection

2024-01-13T16:46:01-05:00

The Beauty of Imperfection In the course of my reading I have recently encountered references to the Japanese art forms "Wabi Sabi" and "Kintsugi".  I had to look both of these up.  What I found was that both of these traditions value what can be described as 'imperfection', 'impermanence', and 'brokenness'; in short, what we might describe as 'wear and tear'.  Wabi Sabi and Kintsugi operate on an aesthetic of 'weathering'. This has wonderful applications to StoryPathing.  'Weathering' is what gives us character.  And thus of course, in delivering our storypaths, we communicate an authentic self, with its 'weathering' [...]

The Beauty of Imperfection2024-01-13T16:46:01-05:00

Personal Identity: A Meditation

2024-01-03T14:19:52-05:00

My recent encounter with a government office left me in a state of bewilderment, questioning the very foundation of my identity. It all began when I was instructed to present documentation to prove who I was, and to my astonishment, I discovered that there were two different birthdays associated with my name in the system. For my entire life, I had celebrated one particular date as my birthday, but now there was another, just one day and one month different, recorded in the records. It was a perplexing mistake—a mere reversal of two numbers creating an alternate birthdate. The repercussions of [...]

Personal Identity: A Meditation2024-01-03T14:19:52-05:00

Odysseus the Destitute

2024-02-15T17:08:25-05:00

How does one connect Homer's Odyssey with StoryPathing?  Remarkably, Homer introduces his in a state of abject defeat, after four preceding chapters in which Odysseus was physically absent, but much talked about.  The machinery of the plot starts to turn here, in chapter 5, as Odysseus' situation is about to change. Later, prompted by an audience, he delivers a personal narrative summarizing his adventures up to that point; in other words, his past.  This narrative in turn sets the stage for the second half of the story, Odysseus' arrival home; that is, his immediate future. Odysseus appears to be [...]

Odysseus the Destitute2024-02-15T17:08:25-05:00

From Mystery to My Story

2023-11-27T18:42:27-05:00

Reflections on one's personal journey and the ability to articulate it are indeed thought-provoking. It can be a significant challenge to articulate our life's trajectory and how we ended up where we are, especially when someone else asks us to do so. Often, we take our experiences for granted, and it is only when we pause and reflect that we can gain a deeper understanding of our personal narrative.  I encourage you:  take the time to reflect, ruminate, and do the necessary and valuable introspection. This allows us to explore our life's paths, acknowledge the choices we made, and recognize [...]

From Mystery to My Story2023-11-27T18:42:27-05:00

Presentation: Rise Leadership Boot Camp

2023-08-19T18:41:41-05:00

Presentation:  Rise Leadership Boot Camp I had the privilege of delivering a presentation on 'Inspiring a Shared Vision' at the Rise Leadership Boot Camp held at Greater New Birth Church in Milwaukee. The audience consisted of current and aspiring business leaders, entrepreneurs, members in leadership positions at the church, and individuals interested in leadership development. I began by emphasizing the profound impact of motivating others and communicating a vision, as it lies at the core of effective leadership. I highlighted the importance of empathy, trust, mentorship, and pushing individuals to push the threshold of their own capabilities in order [...]

Presentation: Rise Leadership Boot Camp2023-08-19T18:41:41-05:00

Travel Story:  Rome Sabbatical

2023-08-30T22:52:59-05:00

Travel Story:  Rome Sabbatical I vividly remember the year I spent living and teaching in Rome. It was a life-changing experience that allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture and grow both personally and professionally. When I first arrived in Rome, I was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. I had limited skills in Italian, which made the initial adjustment challenging. However, I was determined to overcome the language barrier and make the most of my time in this captivating city. One of the first hurdles I had to conquer was mastering the public transit [...]

Travel Story:  Rome Sabbatical2023-08-30T22:52:59-05:00

The Power of StoryPathing: Discovering the Threads of Life’s Journey: An Essay

2023-11-27T18:37:33-05:00

In the intricate tapestry of our lives, there are pivotal moments that shape us, guide us, and define who we are. StoryPathing is an enlightening exercise that invites individuals to reflect deeply on their experiences and categorize them under three fundamental headings: heroic, collaborative, and virtuous. Through an extended process of introspection and analysis, we identify the exceptional moments that hold immense value and impact. By examining the common threads that connect these experiences, we gain insight into our current station in life and can project the path that lies ahead. StoryPathing defies the notion of teleology, shifting the focus [...]

The Power of StoryPathing: Discovering the Threads of Life’s Journey: An Essay2023-11-27T18:37:33-05:00
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