Friday, April 27, 2007

When was the last time you questioned your perspective?

In the movie Dead Poets' Society, Robin Williams plays a professor who challenges his young students to the joys of literature and also, issues of life. I'm sure we all remember the part where an excited Robin Williams jumps up one of the desks in the classroom and imparts a chunk of wisdom.
He asks his students: "Why do I stand here?"
Then he answers his own question: " I stand on my desk to remind myself that we must constantly force ourselves to look at things differently. The world looks different from up here. If you don't believe it, stand up here and try it. All of you. Take turns. "
"If you're sure about something" , " he says as they take turns standing on the desk, " force yourself to think about it another way, even if you know it's wrong or silly. When you read, don't consider only what the author thinks, but take time to consider what you think......Risk walking new ground."

Risk walking new ground. Yeah, I like that. Take a risk. Live a little.

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