“It’s hard to look at modern life and see our capacities for reflection or meaning-making. We don’t use our gifts to be more aware or thoughtful. We’re driven in the opposite direction. Things move too fast for us to reflect, demanding tasks give us no time to think, and we barely notice the lack of meaning until forced to stand still by illness, tragedy, or job loss. But in spite of our hurry, we cannot stop life’s dynamic of self-reference or the human need for meaning. If we want to influence any change, anywhere, we need to work with this powerful process rather than deny its existence.”
Margaret J. Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science (San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc., 2006) at 147.
A few months ago this quote would have meant nothing to me. Today it is one of the most powerful quotes I have ever read. My journey toward becoming a reflective learner is not an easy one, but as I look at how far I have come, I cannot help the feeling of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
The first week of my studies we had to do activities so that we can get a sense of what reflection is all about. My answers were based on my previous
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John (1994) five stages of reflection, Smyth (1989) model of reflection, which is for the more experienced reflector who thinks critically. However, it was Gibbs (1988) six stages model of reflection that I identified with the most. This model gives a clear guideline on how to reflect, from the problem solving stage to the action stage.
Over the past few weeks I found my self developing some of the qualities needed in order to be a successful reflective learner, in my job, at home and working along with my colleagues in my studies. I am more open minded, in that I am more interested in listening to different perspectives and admitting that my course of action may be