Quote:
Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi
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Nimble is a great word to think about when participating in ChiefDelphi.
Dancers and athletes understand the importance of staying nimble. Read the examples in this link that I've provided: 'a nimble mind', 'a nimble listener'.
If you are so married to one way of thinking that it bogs you down, you have lost your nimbleness and ability to think, problem solve, assess, or provide resources - quickly and reasonably.
I once had the honor of teaching parts of the Messiah to a choir that consisted mainly of retired adults. I had a very strong bass section. The problem was that they were too heavy, tone-deaf, and didn't follow direction well. This is not good when it comes to the Messiah.
I thought and I thought and I thought about it over a weekend and I decided to use a visual. (At the time, I was still in my teens and was volunteered to be the choral director for this group without knowing anything about them.) I decided to ask the choir to join me in a circle. When we had gathered in a circle, I then asked them to join me in acting like ballerinas. Actually, hippopotami ballerinas. In pink tutus. Yup. They all giggled and twirled and had a great time and then they went back to their benches when I queued the organist. I directed my remarks to the bass section and what I asked them to do was to think of a hippopotamus in a tutu poised on her toes, as they learned and sang the notes that I was asking them to.
Nimble.
They did as they were asked and they brought the house down during the performance, I kid you not. For many years following that magical performance, they would find cards and send them to me. I reckon that you can guess what lovely creature graced the front of the cards.
Stay nimble. Be prepared for the tone or the topic to change from thread to thread. Stay alert and prepared to respond appropriately in a thread. If you are not sure, wait for a little while and gather your thoughts. If you are still unsure, pm someone that you respect and ask them for their opinion. I do this all of the time.
Jane