2008 Quought for the Day #4 – Delaney Kirk

Background:

This is part of the Quought for the Day – 2008 Series.

Quought = Question that provokes thought!

The question I asked thought leaders and my very smart friends is:

What is ONE question that you wish someone had asked you when you were young? And, Why?

I will be posting answers (which will be Quoughts) one by one.This one is from Dr. Delaney Kirk

Delaney J. Kirk, Ph.D., SPHR is currently a Visiting Professor of Management at the University of South Florida-Sarasota.  Previously she taught for 18 years at Drake University.  She has conducted teaching workshops at Columbia University, Duke University, University of Washington, Graceland University, University of Nebraska, and the University of Akron, in addition to numerous academic conferences.  She was the featured expert for the Chronicle of Higher Education’s online chat on classroom management, and has earned the prestigious Drake University Board of Governor’s “Excellence in Teaching” Award.  Her book, Taking Back the Classroom:  Tips for the College Professor on Becoming a More Effective Teacher (Tiberius Publications, 2005) is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.  She answers questions on teaching and classroom management at www.delaneykirk.com

Delaney’s Quought

“What are you doing to enjoy this day?”

The reason for Delaney’s choice of that Quought

In the book, Stumbling on Happiness, Daniel Gilbert gives examples of how we spend our lives doing things we think will make us happy in the future instead of living in the present.  I find myself obsessed with my “to do” lists with little time to go for a walk in the sunshine or spend time with friends.  So my question to my younger self would be, “What are you doing to enjoy this day?”

Delaney’s Recommended Links:

1. Patti Digh who vows that, ” In 2008, let’s show up like magic for someone every day. That could mean showing up in a funny hat, a phone call, a small gift, a handmade card, playing Candyland with children instead of checking email, the lighting of a candle in someone’s name and holding them in your thoughts, a sweet letter, a thoughtful note, a reaching out…Show up like magic in your own life. What would that look like for you?

2. Donna B. Miller who developed this artwork to share with others: “Every day is Day 1.  Every single, stinkin’ day.  Each one.  Today. Tomorrow. The next day.  Not as punishment or failure, but as gift.”