Lem Usita Ideas

Lead Smartly is Here I wrote this book from the wrong side of a lot of mistakes. Between 2009 and 2012 I was blogging about leadership — not the polished, keynote-stage version, but the version I was actually living. Bad meetings. Bad calls. A few good ones too, eventually. I wasn’t writing a book. I was just trying to figure out how to lead people without wrecking them or myself in the…

I’ve spent over a decade researching how teenagers form their identities. I wrote my doctoral dissertation on it. I’ve taught it in classrooms, presented it at conferences, and carried it into every conversation I’ve had with parents who are trying to figure out what’s happening with their kid. And for the last several months, I’ve been putting it into a form that any parent can actually…

Something that I'm working on..... Explaining to Justify

explaining  present participle of ex·plain (Verb) Verb Make (an idea, situation, or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas. Account for (an action or event) by giving a reason as excuse or justification. I am pretty good with words.  I use words to convey ideas.  I use words to teach and explain.  But sometimes when I explain, I explain…

I’ve heard people say that at a certain point of one’s development that it’s too late – to change or grow. That limiting thought prevents them from making changes because they think it’s too late to change. I’m too old to learn. I’m too old to do something different and new. I’m too old to work on myself. I’m set in my ways.  Whatever the reason or excuse – it’s never too late. You’re never that…

Just a placeholder for this upcoming podcast with Gonzo!!!! firwood-with-gonzo-1.mp3Download

Imago Dei and Identity

The Imago Dei. The Image of God. I have been thinking through these ideas for a little bit now. Just processing the implications of some of these ideas. I have read a few things about it – and I will continue to read more about it – which will ultimately shape my ideas about it. It has been a fascinating study and meditation on this concept. It really does help me with my identity, but then it…

Executive Director at the Firs

I took on a new role last month. I have accepted the role of Executive Director at the Firs – a retreat and conference center in Bellingham, Washington. At the retreat center location there is also a preschool, after school program, day camp, as well as a summer camp on another location just 6 miles down the road on 120 acres. There’s even a chalet up near Mt. Baker. I have never done anything…

Sometimes I use this space to work out an idea – sometimes the ideas aren’t quite fully formed, but I’ll write them here and talk with folks about it.

Here’s the latest idea – which of course isn’t a new idea – but it’s new to me.

I was thinking about people’s way of being and behavior. I see some of it online, and I have talked to people about it – indirectly of course.

But there…

The “Not Knowing” Spectrum

Here’s an idea that I’m working out.

We can sometimes get stuck in our functional dualism that it’s difficult to see things beyond it. It’s either we know something or we don’t know something, but it is a simple dichotomy that just doesn’t work because it doesn’t capture all of the ways of knowing.

Even as I write this – I wrote down “Not Knowing” – “Knowing” – “Not Needing to Know”.

As I was looking at my ‘Awards’ on my Apple watch – I remember when all of these little reminders to stand was a point of anxiety for me – not award. I needed to get all the marks for standing every hour. When I would go on a drive for a few hours, I would pull over just so that I could stand – and sometimes would spend 5 minutes moving around to get that little mark that said I stood up during…

Seeing Other…..

…..is not something that can be easily done. We easily assume that seeing another is something that we can all do, but I don’t think you can necessarily see another until you have an established and mature sense of identity and self.

I was working on a writing project – using some of the foundational ideas from my research for this project. As I was processing some ideas – it dawned on me…

I had never thought about ‘unknowing yourself’ as part of the process of getting to know yourself – or even more important being more yourself.

It is a concept that I heard from Lori Gottlieb. She says, “But part of getting to know yourself is to unknow yourself—to let go of the limiting stories you’ve told yourself about who you are so that you aren’t trapped by them, so you can live your…

Classspace - you can’t just bring the methodology of the Classroom into a virtual space. It’s something completely different.

I – am an educator.  Thank you very much.

I’ve been one for many years.  I have been studying it for even longer than I have been an educator. If you’ve been following this blog – you’ll know that I studied adolescent identity formation in online space.  I have been thinking about the online space for a few years – and I often have conversations with colleagues and fellow educators about such…

The Ability to Suspend Judgment….

is not just cognitive. It is also an emotional endeavor.

I have written about Suspending Judgement before.

Here’s a post about it in the form of Asking Questions.

Here’s another post about it as I understood it and wrote about it years ago – Suspend Judgment.

Here’s another post about it called – The Deeper Open Principle.

From all of those previous perspectives – I wrote…

I recently heard about this possibility – that it’s possible to become addicted to attention in much the same way someone can become addicted to smoking or drinking.

All people need attention – some more than others. It’s possible to not get enough attention and that comes with some issues. Do you know anyone like this? Someone that needs attention? Someone that is addicted to attention?

But as I…

Your Mask as an Expression of Your Identity

Even your masks express your identity. Have you seen them? I’ve seen them with LA Dodger’s logos – flowers – blank – homemade – designed – brand logos – that represent their sense of identity and self.

It’s amazing how even something as new as masks is already a canvas for identity expression.

Even masks are an expression of your identity.

More Insight into a New Way of Being

I don’t write long posts.  I wrote about a New Way of Being.  As I write this – we are still in that “quarantine and starting to re-open” phase. I keep the posts short and just work out the info – but I don’t spend much time explaining. My hope is that it just sparks something in you – and honestly – I’m just blessed that it just…