Communities & Posts

I am reminded again of just what is so appealing about this program and also what is so challenging.

I attended the Dreamweaver BBQ at David's house on Saturday. The group consisted of David, his wife Mary, Barbara, Aaron, Doug, my wife Martha and I. We had a great time and I believe we all learned something new about Dreamweaver. It was interesting how we all came from very different backgrounds and skill levels. Even so, I would say that we all left with something of value and a sense of belonging.

The posts this week for Gary's class have been unbelievable. Over 300 posts and we've only just started. At first, I really enjoyed the posts and the dialog. After a while though, it became a chore to just keep up. I started to feel I needed to post, even if I had nothing to really contribute. What is the lesson in this? Is there a point where we become too busy and learning begins to suffer? Does fatigue and stress keep us from true reflection? I definitely feel that way right now. Or does it imply that I need to better manage my stress and workload. Do I need to prioritize more, and focus on more selective areas for learning?

My strategy should be one of balance and prioritization. There does need to be time to produce. But there also needs to be time to reflect; to enjoy the journey. It reminds again of the Dreamweaver BBQ. While I was there, I was learning new skills and developing new friendships. However, I kept thinking about the readings and the posts I needed to complete. In the effort to achieve and reach a high standard, I missed the simple enjoyment of being in a community. It is time to slow down and remember that learning is about interaction and reflection.

It is about the process!