4 Tickets to Christmas _ The Movie

4 Tickets to Christmas from FBC-TV 16 on Vimeo.

The Creative Process - Divergence and Convergence

In creative work, there are two modes of thinking that we use that are very different, but are both very useful for different parts of the process.

Divergence

Divergence is the process of thinking broadly, of expanding one's mind, of going places where one does not normally go. In fact it is very much what most people think about when they consider creativity.

Social variation

Divergent thinking is very important in creativity as the process whereby ideas are generated. Although everyone can do it, some take to it more easily and find idea creation (sometimes called ideation) both natural and fun.
For others, it is something more of an effort, both to create the ideas and also to get over the internal blocks that prevent them from telling others about their half-formed ideas.
The fear of social punishment and ridicule keeps many from even admitting to themselves that they could be good at divergent thinking.

Quantity first

Divergent ideation creates a constant flow of ideas, no matter how good or bad they are (and without even a thought about this), with the knowledge that they will be sorted out in the subsequent convergent activity.

Convergence

When you have created a big pile of ideas, the creative activity does not stop there. The next stage, which can be very difficult, seeks to thin down the idea set into a very small set of ideas (maybe one) that will be taken forward for further development.

Judgement and Selection

This approach requires skills of selection, evaluation and judgement to whittle down the list to the most useful ideas. In this process, there can be argument and debate about the true potential of ideas.

Retaining creative seeds

A danger here is that the baby gets thrown out with the bathwater, as good ideas are thrown out with the bad. It is important here to keep a balance, and the divergent thinkers have an important task to challenge the ejection of any ideas that may have serious potential.

Keeping them separate

Have you ever been in a thinking session (creative or otherwise) and seen two groups of people crossing swords, where one group are constantly trying to keep the exploration open, whilst the other group is trying to come to a closure point and get a decision made? Maybe you were in one of these two groups.

The dangers of simultaneity

Divergent and convergent activities do not go well together, and keeping them deliberately separate is a very good idea. Thus you can explain the principles to people you will then be able to use the language, saying 'excuse me, I hear convergence' if someone starts criticising ideas in the middle of a divergent session.
Likewise in convergent sessions, further divergence needs to be carefully managed. It is, however, more important to keep convergence out of divergent activities, as people easily take criticism of one of their ideas personally and may just clam up and sit back if they feel this has happened.

How to keep them separate

Separation can be achieve in several ways. You can separate the sessions by having one after the other (this is most common).
You can also separate them further in time (eg. to give space for more ideas to be generated by incubation first).
You can have different groups of people diverging and converging.
You can change location for each - for example having the divergent session in a relaxed lounge and the convergent session in a formal meeting room.

Sequencing them

Divergence and convergence are not a one-shot thing in serious creativity and invention practices. They constantly sequence, one after the other and form a matched pair of activities that enable you to both think broadly and also stay focused.
Thus you may diverge and converge in problem identification, idea exploration, product development, market planning, etc.




Quidquid agis, prudenter agas, et respice finem!
"Whatever you do, may you do it prudently, and look to the end!"

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Camellia St. John - Portrait of Dedication

1989 - 1992 Director Region VII, American Society for Medical Technology
1985 - 1988 President-Elect, President, Past President, Texas Society for Medical Technology
1981-1985  Secretary, Texas Society for Medical Technology

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Camellia St. John is being inducted into the Paris Junior College Academic Hall of Honor and Athletic Hall of Fame.  She is a past president and secretary for TACLS (formerly known as Texas Society for Medical Technology.)  She was and still is very involved on the national level and is currently a member of the By Laws Committee for Alpha Mu Tau.

Camellia is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.  Following graduation from PJC, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree as a medical technologist from Texas Women's University and her Masters of Education from Prairie View A&M University in education and guidance counseling.  

What IS Clinical Laboratory Science?

Clinical Laboratory Science involves the hematological, chemical, immunologic, and microscopic analysis of body fluids and tissues in a health care environment.  Physicians use the information gained from laboratory tests to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) contribute to the care of patients in many areas.  A MLS/MLT working in the Blood Bank utilizes current immunologic technology to determine compatibility between a blood donor and a blood transfusion recipient.  A MLS/MLT can work as a microbiologist and determine the pathogens involved in patient infections.  A MLS/MLT can work in the areas of hematology, coagulation, and chemistry where they provide physicians valuable information from laboratory tests performed on blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and other bodily fluids.  A MLS/MLT can work in clinics, hospitals, reference and research laboratories.

The field of clinical laboratory science is always changing as technology and scientific knowledge improves.  A career in clinical laboratory science is challenging, fascinating, and rewarding!

For more information use the link below:
 http://www.ascls.org/leadership/ppc/lifesavedvideo.asp

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Tuesdays with Morrie 01

“There's a big confusion in this country over what we want versus what we need," Morrie said. "You need food, you want a chocolate sundae. You have to be honest with yourself. You don't need the latest sports car, you don't need the biggest house. The truth is, you don't get satisfaction from those things. You know what really gives you satisfaction?...Offering others what you have to give...I don't mean money, Mitch. I mean your time. Your concern. Your storytelling. It's not so hard.” 

 Mitch Albom

Signs of an unhealthy relationship

An unhealthy relationship develops where one, or both of the parties is…

1. Failing to communicate: Problems are ignored, or not talked about at all. One or both don’t really listen, and they rarely compromise.

2. Acting in ways that are disrespectful: One or both are inconsiderate toward the other person; and they don’t behave in ways that send the message that they care.

3. Refusing to trust the other person: One or both is suspicion of their partner’s loyalty. Hence, they make false accusations, or won’t believe the truth.

4. Acting in a way that is dishonest: One or both is deceptive, or they lie and hide the truth.

5. Acting in a controlling way: One person thinks that they should set the one who rules, controls the other person, and say how things should be.


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The Road to Success

1. It will hurt.

2. It will take time and effort.

3. It will require commitment.

4. It will require perseverance.

5. You will need to keep on making make healthy decisions.

6. It will require pain and sacrifice.

7. You will need to push yourself to the max at times.

8. There will be tough days and discouragement.

9. There will be temptations that you’ll have to push against.

10. But it will all be worth it – and you’ll get there in the end.


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"Normal Anxiety" Versus Generalised Anxiety Disorder

The difference between “normal” worrying and generalized anxiety disorder is that the worrying involved in GAD is excessive, intrusive, persistent and debilitating. 

With normal anxiety:
1.Your worrying doesn’t get in the way of your daily activities and responsibilities.
2. You’re able to control your worrying.
3. Your worries, while unpleasant, don’t cause significant distress.
4. Your worries are limited to a specific, small number of realistic concerns.
5. Your bouts of worrying last for only a short time period.

However, with Generalised Anxiety Disorder
1. Your worrying significantly disrupts your job, activities, or social life.
2. Your worrying is uncontrollable.
3. Your worries are extremely upsetting and stressful.
4. You worry about all sorts of things, and tend to expect the worst.
5. You’ve been worrying almost every day for at least six months.
 
Most people with GAD experience a combination of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms.

Emotional symptoms
• Constant worries running through your head
• Feeling like your anxiety is uncontrollable
• Intrusive thoughts about things that make you anxious; you try to avoid thinking about them, but you can’t
• An inability to tolerate uncertainty
• A pervasive feeling of apprehension or dread

Behavioral symptoms
• Inability to relax, enjoy quiet time, or be by yourself
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing on things
• Putting things off because you feel overwhelmed
• Avoiding situations that make you anxious

Physical symptoms
• Feeling tense; having muscle tightness or body aches
• Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because your mind won’t quit
• Feeling edgy, restless, or jumpy
• Stomach problems, nausea, diarrhea

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More Productivity - Less Effort

1.Sort out your priorities. Make time to honestly reflect on your life, and to think about what is important to you. Where are you going? What do you want? What are the steps that will take you there?

2. Focus on the essential tasks. Next, think about your short term responsibilities. Ask yourself: “Out of all the tasks that I have to do, which will get me the greatest return for my time and effort?” Make a list of these types of tasks — they’re your most important things to do this week.

3. Eliminate what you can. Now look at your list. What on the list is not essential? Is there anything there that you can drop from your schedule, delegate to someone else, or put on a “waiting list”. Often when we review these non-essentials later, we find they weren’t necessary at all.

4. Do essential tasks first. Begin each day by doing the two most important tasks. Don’t wait until later in the day as they’ll get pushed aside to make time for other stuff that arises throughout the day. You’ll find that if you do these tasks right away, your productivity will really increase.

5. Eliminate distractions. If you allow yourself to be constantly interrupted by email notifications, IM, cell phones, social media and so on, then you’ll never be productive. Turn them and, if you can, disconnect yourself from the internet.

6. Keep it simple. Don’t waste time on applications that are meant to organize your schedule. Make a simple to-do list with a word document, or with some paper and a pen. Then get started on whatever work you had planned on doing.

7. Do one thing at a time. In most situations, multi-tasking slows you down. You can’t get things done with a million things demanding your attention. Focus on what’s in front of you, to the exclusion of all else. That way, you are likely to achieve more, in less time, and with less effort.

8. Make time for honest reflection. At the end of the day, reflect on what you have achieved. Make sure you affirm yourself for your hard work. Think about possible changes you need to make - and commit to keep going, and aiming for your goal.


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When you are not there...

If they miss you,
they’ll call.
If they want you,
they’ll say it.
If they care,
they’ll show it.
And if not,
they aren’t worth your time.



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10 Steps to A Better YOU!

1. If it feels wrong, don’t do it.

2. Say “exactly” what you mean.

3. Don’t be a people pleaser.

4. Trust your instincts.

5. Never speak badly about yourself.

6. Never give up on your dreams.

7. Don’t be afraid to say “no”.

8. Don’t be afraid to say “yes”.

9. Resist the need to always have control.

10. Stay away from drama and negativity – as much as possible.

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10 Traits that Lead to Success

1. Independence

2. Self-confidence

3. Persistence

4. Creative thinking

5. Being thick skinned

6. Knowing who you are and what you want from life

7. Setting clear goals – and going after them

8. Staying focused

9. Optimism

10. Passion and a zest for life.

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BE Cole Jackson

This is an inspiring video

of overcoming whatever life deals out!

 

Francis Galton

Summary of “Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development”

After reading the entire work, I settled in and re-examined the section titled Early Sentiments. A very brief summary of this section would read, nurture can explain behavior within differing people groups. Behavior can also differ within the classes of people that make up the larger groups. But nurture has very little influence on the differences between individuals of the same class. Galton relies on Darwin’s ideas to explain the individual differences including the idea that, “Conscience is now known to be partly transmitted by inheritance in the way and under the conditions clearly explained by Mr. Darwin.” (Galton, 1907)

Galton’s definition of the word “religion” in this writing is quite fascinating,

“The word religion may fairly be applied to any group of sentiments or persuasions that are strong enough to bind us to do that which we intellectually may acknowledge to be our duty, and the possession of some form of religion in this larger sense of the word is of the utmost importance to moral stability. The sentiments must be strong enough to make us ashamed at the mere thought of committing, and distressed during the act of committing any untruth, or any uncharitable act, or of neglecting what we feel to be right, in order to indulge in laziness or gratify some passing desire.” (Galton, 1907)

Following this section, Galton introduces examples of how animals are conditioned to learn behaviors that seem to be passed down from generation to generation. He also briefly states his position on inherited behaviors with examples consisting of children of criminals. Galton seems to be all over the map in this short portion of the larger writing. He does land close to lucidity when discussing Dante’s writings and referring to paintings from the same time.

He suggests that,

“Revenge and torture had been so commonly practised by rulers that they seemed to be appropriate attributes of every high authority, and the artists of those days saw no incongruity in supposing that a supremely powerful master, however beneficent he might be, would make the freest use of them.” (Galton, 1907)

I believe he could have been making reference to Giotto’s Last Judgment owing to the gruesom way Giotto depicts hell in this painting.

Galton’s emphasis in Early Sentiments revolves around nurture being the source of religious thoughts, terror, aversion, and, “in giving a fallacious sense of their being natural instincts.” (Galton, 1907)

Reaction to “Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development”

At first glance what Galton says seems to be reasonable. On some levels it probably is reasonable, but like most of the people influenced by Darwin, his reasonable arguments take ideas in untenable directions.

Galton’s definition of religion does not just end with the utilitarian view; he continues to make the following claim about the content of the religious belief, “it seems reasonable to believe that the particular dogma is comparatively of little importance.” (Galton, 1907)

This statement is very interesting when one considers what he is saying is that as long as someone is taught religion, it does not matter what is taught. The main issue is that content makes all the difference. I will try to briefly explain my thoughts.

The Bible provides us with an interesting discussion between Pontius Pilate and Jesus. Chapter eighteen in John’s Gospel tells of how Jesus is brought to Pilate because the high priests wanted him executed given that Jesus claimed to be equal with God. The conversation between Jesus and Pilate closes with this exchange,

“ ³³Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"

³⁴Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?"

³⁵Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?"

³⁶Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."

³⁷Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

³⁸Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?"
(NASB 1995)

Jesus’ answer is restrained and bold. The most basic of all problems that we, as finite created beings, face is exposed in this short exchange. What we find here in this passage is that there is no scarcity of truth for us to know, but more often people fall short because of the insincerity of their search. Jesus teaches that truth proceeds from the inside out, or put another way, intent is prior to content.

Does dogma matter? According to Jesus, it makes all the difference in the world. 

Works Cited

Galton, F. (1907). Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Devlopment. Retrieved 3 2, 2010, from Gutenberg Project: http://gutenburg.net/1/1/5/6/11562

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

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Edward B. Titchener

Summary of On “Psychology As the Behaviorist Views It”

Joseph B. Watson’s idea of Behaviorism can be defined as a philosophy of psychology based on the proposition that all things that organisms do, including acting, thinking, and feeling can be regarded as behaviors. “Behaviorism comprises the position that all theories should have observational correlates but that there are no philosophical differences between publicly observable processes (such as actions) and privately observable processes (such as thinking and feeling).” (Fraley 2001)

Apparently Watson’s mentor, James Rowland Angell, was not happy with the fact that Watson had espoused the idea of Wundt’s experimental method being not scientific. Therefore Angell wrote to Titchener about the need to bring Watson down a few rungs on the ladder of his success. Titchener subsequently wrote this paper in reference to Watson’s behaviorist point of view. In this paper Titchener hammered home a vigorous case against Watson’s misuse of the word “science,” and how behaviorist theories, although beginning with science, ignore certain facts in order to maintain their positions. He goes on to point out the deficiency of only looking at the peripheral (physical actions) without examining the central (internal) effects of behavior. Watson leans heavily on blending sciences to form what Titchener calls “technology.” Titchener defines psychology as science and not a synthesis of many different sciences. He goes on to state that behaviorism is, by nature, biological. Titchener says,
“Either the behaviorist is just biologist; and in that case he has no nearer relation to psychology than have his coworkers who are content to call themselves biologists: or the behaviorist sees expression where the biologist sees ultimate fact; and in that case he may equally well be called psychobiologist, seeing that the phenomena expressed or reported by the organic changes which he studies cannot be anything else than psychical.” (Titchener, 1914)

Reaction to On “Psychology As the Behaviorist Views It”
If I were to toss my hat into this fray, I would have to side with Titchener. Behaviorism embraces the view that all theories should have observational correlates but that there are no philosophical differences between publicly observable actions and privately observable things such as thinking and feeling. So my conclusion might be the same as that of Titchener using his definition science. Restated in my terms, I believe that the problems of science are observational and analytical to the extent we can exhaust our knowledge and capabilities.
There are always going to be things just past the line we reach in any given field. New discoveries in science prove this every day. Where I would probably differ with Titchener would be in the last half of my definition stated above. I believe when we think we cannot know more than what can be observed through experimental science, and we see the limits of science to be an impassable line, we need to remember that in order to draw the impassable line we must first cross it. I believe it is only possible to cross the line when we have a full understanding of who God is, and who we are.
While I appreciate Titchener’s dogmatic view of science, I appreciate the fact that God tells us there is so much more than we could ever imagine.





Bibliography
Fraley, L. (2001). Stategic Interdisciplinary Relations between a Natural Science Community and a Psychological Community. The Behavior Analyst Today , 2 (4), 209-324.
Titchener, E. B. (1914). On "Psychology As The Behaviorist Views It". Retrieved 3 1, 2010, from Classics in the History of Psychology: http://psychclassics.asu.edu/Titchener/watson.htm




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Are You Committed to Success?

Here Are Some Things You Need To Do: 

1. Have one main source of income but, at the same time, keep working on ways of developing additional sources of income. Over time, this will allow you move away from spending all your time on your “regular” job, so you can generate a passive stream of income.

2. Read broadly. This doesn’t necessarily heavy or serious books. Reading blogs and magazines can generate ideas and turn you into someone who knows something about a lot of things.

3. Have a few close friends and many other business and personal contacts. That provides you with support and people who can help you, and open doors for you.

4. Possess specialist knowledge in a couple of areas, and also know a little about many other things. This helps you understand the developing trends so you can use and adapt your knowledge more effectively.

5. Be willing to experiment. It’s good to know what tends to work for you, but you need to branch out and experiment as well. That will help you avoid being stuck in a rut.

6. Add new experiences into your life. It keeps you adaptable, open to new thinking, energetic, and full of life. 

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Humanity

“Very often the true Bible-believing Christian, in his emphasis on two humanities — one lost, one saved — one still standing in rebellion against God, the other having returned to God through Christ — has given a picture of exclusiveness which is ugly.
 

   There are two humanities. That is true. Some men made in the image of God still stand in rebellion against him; some, by the grace of God, have cast themselves upon God’s solution.
 

   Nonetheless, there is in another very important sense only one humanity. All men derive from one origin. By creation all men bear the image of God. In this sense all men are of one flesh, one blood.
 

   Hence, the exclusiveness of the two humanities is undergirded by the unity of all men. And Christians are not to love their believing brothers to the exclusion of their non-believing fellowmen. That is ugly. We are to have the example of the Good Samaritan consciously in mind at all times”    
 Francis Schaeffer



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