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Chasing Curiosity

Chasing Curiosity

Chasing Curiosity

As I’ve been pondering my intentions for this year I was struck again about how much curiosity can play a part in planning and practice. Okay, I know that’s a really broad statement, but curiosity really can lead us in very definitive directions. Consider what we’ve achieved as a species by saying to ourselves “how can we do this better” or “I wonder what it would be like to _____” or “what’s that over there?”

Case in point, I was driving by a small airport on Amelia Island recently.

Now, Amelia Island is pretty small – eleven thousand people in total, and this tiny airport had just been built. That it was new wasn’t what caught my attention, but the fact that the terminal is in the shape of a plane!

You drive up and it looks like a giant plane sitting by a field.

I was curious about it and I thought it would be fun to go inside. So I drove into parking lot. As I was walking up to the door of the tiny little place – which is basically a single room the size of a small coffee shop – I noticed a small sign by the front that said “Knitting Group Meeting: 2nd floor”

When I asked the lady behind the desk (yes, there was just one lady) about this, she confirmed there was in fact a knitting group meeting at the airport and she said that other days other groups like to use that space.

What I love most about this here is this town commission and airport authority who had built a multi-purpose gathering place for anyone in the area. It went beyond air services. That’s thinking outside the box (or the terminal).

I loved it because it built community.

This kind of creative openness allows for solutions that reflect rewarding partnerships and builds support for more. We could definitely take a cue from that.

 

 

 

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.

 

Intentions

Intentions

intentions

Now that we’ve survived a month (and some change) in the new year, I feel like this is a good time to state some intentions.

There’s a lot to look forward to in 2020. Part of what I look forward to, odd as it may sound, is looking at what I can do better. On that note I have a number of things I know I can improve. Speeding up my response time to your messages is one.

I’m also thinking about how to better manage my time.  

Meeting people face to face is something I truly enjoy and I’m grateful to those who write whether happy or unhappy about the Regents’ actions. I value your opinion and am excited by your engagement in issues affecting the university and the community at large, even if we aren’t on the same exact page. So, in addition to the blogs I am blocking out regular times on my calendar for responding by email, livestreaming, on Facebook, or in person.

Also on my list is the intention of spending more time at University of Nebraska Kearney and University of Nebraska Lincoln to gain a better sense of the culture of both. I have had the pleasure of attending a few sports events but there is so much more to see.

These opportunities continue to enrich my sense of what Nebraska has to offer not only to its athletes but all who enjoy their efforts.

And finally – innovation. I know that’s kind of a buzzword, but what I’m really interested in is thinking outside the box. Creativity. Curiosity. Willingness to embrace not only different ideas, but also different ways of thinking. It’s something I want to be much more intentional about, and I encourage you to join me.

There are a lot of complex issues facing our university, our community, and our state. It’s going to take all of us to figure out the best ways to move forward together.

So, what are your 2020 intentions?

 

 

 

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.