Course 3: PL 102 - Introduction and Story (Discussion 2)

@GlenM

@GlenM


1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

How direct it was. Not only did it call your direct self out to action by getting a cup of tea, but also how it prepared you for what was to come, with compassion and love.

2. What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?
How trust and love, when fostered, encourages sharing and growth. And that growth is from within - and is undeniably amazing for one's inner peace.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

By fostering a high warmth, high expectation culture. By putting our self care first, and high warmth/high expectations second, it fosters a community of sharing, love, and support. This encourages strength in others as a byproduct.

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

Apart from the 7 ups poem? This line was important - "Many people like to pretend life is crystal clear. It isnt (and it isnt clear for them either). Life is often confusing and feeling unsure is pretty normal. " -

2. What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

I was a bit bemused about the story at first - but I stuck with it to find out why it had been included as to me a story about aliens felt out of place. But, I am glad I stuck it out lol! This line caught me! "The unspoken rule is that problems should be hidden and kept out of sight" Yes that is how it is in many parts of our society. But we need to break the bonds of silence and listen and help each other.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

Standing up and being counted and saying "I need help, please help me!" And looking and noticing those that may need help then carefully and kindly with respect see if we can help.

Listening - One Step At A Time!

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

The thing that stood out to me most in the introduction is that it relieves everyone. In the introduction, it said everyone starts fresh here. That really touched me a lot. I really understand some fault may not caused mainly by you and you shouldn't trap yourself in it. However, over the past few years, I just couldn't help myself get through, it's always in the deepest of my heart. I hope through this book, I can truly find a way to leave the past behind, because it's already the past.

2. What was the most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

The most important lesson I learned from the story of Ancora is that we are at a human being eventually. So how do we live like a human being, we help others, help the world, just like how other animals survive as well. As you climbed higher, for example, become richer or more powerful, you started to fear, about whether you'll fail off. That applies to the rich people here.

That also seems to apply to COVID-19, when everyone starts to put on masks, masks covered off all of our expressions. And we started social distancing, which pulls us more and more apart in real life. Think about one of your friends at school, you don't talk a lot at school, then right now, you guys don't have the reason and don't talk anymore, how are you going to keep friends like that? Hope we keep in touch and don't build a wall between us.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

We provide helps proactively. Before they even start to hesitate. So that they'll know how is it like to get supported, and provided with needs. Then they might come of out their old comfort zone, and get more comfortable with asking for help and helping others. By providing help to others, we get more experienced and comfortable with helping others, also balance with our own needs. Follow this cycle, we can stay stronger together.

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

Growth isnt a straight line, youll have some good days and some bad days, sometimes youll zoom forward and other times you may go a little backwards. This isnt our fault.

2. What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

The most important lesson I learned from the story of Ancora was that its okay to ask for help. A lot of people, including myself, sometimes find it hard to ask for help as we feel that it can make us seem weak or inferior. It doesnt. Asking for help is a normal thing and if we dont ask for help then we cant grow.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

We can learn and help others by being kind, thoughtful and respectful to those in need.

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

I like the comment about hindsight being 20/20 and that we are allowed to have a fresh start. We can use the book to start a journey to the version of ourselves we want.

2. What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

I loved the lesson that in Ancora, in the worst situations where we'd expect a virus to hurt everyone, it actually barely hurt anyone. In the worst situations, people reached out to each other, cared for each other, and were ultimately better off than those we traditionally see as successful and wealthy.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

We can both learn and help others get more comfortable with asking for help by doing it ourselves. As we ask for help, even starting small, we can build our comfort with this skill. As we do, others may be inspired to also ask for help. We can also offer help and remind them that they are always welcome to ask!

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

I liked the emphasis put on spending time with the book, and not going through it as quick as possible.

2. What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

I learned that asking for help, while being one of the most difficult things, is also the most rewarding.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

Lead by example! Ask others for help and they will learn that asking you for help is okay too.

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

The thing that stood out to me most in the introduction was that we are allowed to drop our baggage that burnens us. It stands out as its been a personal struggle in my life. Giving myself permission to let go of what was weighing me down was a difficult thing to do. At the start of my journey, I felt unsafe without that baggage. Who was I without my baggage? I felt my baggage defined me. My progress wasnt linear and I think its important to be reminded that everyones journey will be different and that its okay to move at your own pace.

2. What was the most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

That no man (or woman) is an island. We all thrive in an atmosphere of love, trust, and hope. Fear is a human condition but fear can be eased when we ask for and accept the help of others.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

I think the best way to help others learn to get comfortable asking for help or in need is to recognize our own needs and comfort level first. Its difficult to teach someone to learn what we have not yet learned for ourselves. As listeners, and as leaders, we need to build an atmosphere of trust, empathy, and compassion in a non judgemental way. When we make ourselves available to help, those needing help need to know that we are trustworthy and dependable. It stands to reason that someone who needs our help today may be the one we turn to for help tomorrow.

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?
The one thing that stood out to me most in the introduction was that we can't escape growing no matterr how much we try. Personal growth, is a constant challenge to get better. Its recognizing my shortcomings and liking myself anyway. Its forgiving and leaving grudges behind. Its realizing that my effort is more important than perfection

2. What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?
The most important lesson I learned is that we shouldn't be afraid to ask for help when needed. We dont like to expose ourselves as weak and needy, and wanting the others help to get by. It somewhat diminishes us. At some point it also makes us vulnerable, having perhaps opened up to the wrong person for help. Should we even bother knowing the possibility of them turning against us when we open up? It is foolish to imagine ourselves to be self-sufficient, however much we try to keep control. To ask is to acknowledge that connection with our fellow human beings. To ask is to let others in willingly, into our lives, so it is enriched in ways we cannot manage by ourselves.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

Asking for help when we need it is never an easy thing to do. There is so much prude and hesitation that gets in the way of us trying to do so. We must first remove that stigma in that only weak people ask for help. You can be a strong-minded individual and still require help for where you need to go. By us getting comfortable in our own way to ask for help, we can be an example and help others to get there too..

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

I really like the following perspective in the book:
"Life is often confusing and feeling unsure is normal.
Because we are humans, we are going to make a lot of mistakes. We won't stay on the path. We will get lost. We will get distracted. We ought not to spend any time beating ourselves up. We should pick ourselves and take the next step forward."

2. What was the most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

Having needs and asking for help is human. Need is a pathway to healing. The cure for fear and many problems that humans face is true human care and compassion.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

We should understand that asking for help is human. When we ask for help from someone, then we consider that person worthy and give them importance in our life for some time. This should help in enhancing the self-esteem of the person from whom we ask for help. So, when we ask help, it is not just us who gets help but in a very subtle way we help the person from whom we seek help in enhancing her/his self-esteem.

@GlenM

1.What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

I loved how soothing and calming the introduction was. It was encouraging and kindly reminded that personal growth isn't easy and is never a straight line

2.What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

I loved the way they wrapped up the message in this short story. The lesson that struck me the most was that hope, trust and love goes a long way. Human care and compassion is indeed one of the most underrated cure.

3.How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

We'd have to lead by example first. It's something I'm personally working on too. Reminding ourselves that we're not alone and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage. Simply reaching out to our near ones, normalising mental health talks would help develop this strength