Monty Python Knew -- Before the Research!

In reading the chapter on Play in A Whole New Mind I was struck by this quote from Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, especially after tuning into him in my last post:

"There is no question that a playfully light attitude is characteristic of creative individuals."

My take on this is that stress/ anxiety/ pressure keeps us in a survival mode that precludes us using our innate creativity. Ironically, this stress can cause us to shut ourselves off from the very "lightness of being" that can liberate us from stress. No doubt about it, the world we live in is full of darkness, danger and diabolical tragedy yet the Light is also present. As Pink says, "Happiness is conditional; joyfulness is unconditional." The grimness of much of the modern world can only be transcended by our intentionality to open to the Light -- and to bring that to others, sometimes in silly ways.

Which brings us to Monty Python! In the mid-20th century, John Cleese and his crew had many of us laughing hysterically over their absurd, sometimes impenetrably, sometimes ridiculous yet usually delightful skits. Friday night had us gathered around the TV ready to laugh away our cares of the week. Pink talks about the health benefits of laughter, including its effects on diminishing stress hormones, boosting the immune system, activating the cardiovascular system increases the heart rate and pumps more blood to the internal organs -- and connects us to other people. And, he talks about a physician in India, Dr. Kataria, who has started "laughter clubs" that are now all over the world. Here is John Cleese -- and please read on after watching the video for a provocative proposition!



Here's a query for us school people: What if, instead of SSR (sutained silent reading) we had SAL (sustained audible laughing)?

A Whole New Mind in A Whole New Space!

How many of us couldn't wait to get out of school and then find ourselves back in, seeking to change the system from the inside? Any one of us may not have the psychic resources to singlehandedly transform public education in these United States yet together we may. Margaret Mead, may she rest in peace, had it right in that comment about the small committed group of people changing the world.

Time and space can keep us from learning with and from each other. After a long day the last thing we want to do is go to a meeting! yet we may have ideas and energy we want to share. With these tools we can transcend space and time - and challenge ourselves to break down the brick walls that separate us from our ideals and potential ideal reality.

Consider the book we have been reading, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink. Here's a video of the guy so we can see what he looks like -- and maybe take his challenge. What will YOU do to put more of your innate brilliant creativity into your work at school? Share here!