We Have Had A Time
This afternoon I finished reading Prince Caspian, the second book published in the Chronicles of Narnia series in 1951. This was the C. S. Lewis book I chose to read while at The Kilns this week as part of my Visiting Scholar in Residence program. I already blogged about the book and why I picked it in The Path To Honor. The last lines in the book pull the entire story together perfectly: “Well!” said Peter. “We have had a time.” “Bother!” said Edmund. “I’ve left my new torch in Narnia.” Susan, Lucy, Peter, and Edmund had certainly had another adventure. Quite the time!
When Edmund says “I’ve left my new torch in Narnia,” he is referring to the fact that as a king of Narnia, he has gained courage, wisdom, and strength that will stay with him even after returning to the real world. Lewis used a great metaphor in the form of a torch to symbolize his growth and the lessons he learned during his, now two, times in Narnia.
We need to acknowledge the new torches we acquire on our own journeys in the form of experiences, new knowledge and skills. We need to make sure those new torches stay with us, but not be afraid to leave behind for others to learn from us as well. Go have the time of your life.
The Path To Honor
It is early morning here at The Kilns outside of Oxford England this morning as I write this post. The bright morning sun warms me as I sit in the rose garden for reflective time during this part of the day that has a crisp, almost bite, of coolness to it. My goal during my study time this week was to finish Prince Caspian. This was the second in the Chronicles of Narnia series and was published in 1951. The reason I wanted to read this chronicle was twofold; 1. I had not read it yet, and 2. Patti Callahan Henry refers to it in the book that inspired me to be here studying at The Kilns – Once Upon a Wardrobe. Her incredible historic novel was set in 1950 right after The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe had come out. In the book George Devonshire was trying to find out where Narnia came from. In Patti’s book George was excited to find out that C. S. Lewis was working on a second Narnia book, Prince Caspian, that would be published in 1951. I just needed to read Prince Caspian.
Glad I did. I am on page 118 of 127 in Prince Caspian and have found lots to reflect and ponder on, as you’ll find out in a moment. I’m glad I am old enough to read fairy tales again. In the dedication of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe C. S. Lewis said to his goddaughter Lucy: “I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again…” I’ve said before that right now I am at a point where many times learn more and think more deeply with fiction as my muse rather than nonfiction. Happy to discuss or debate that with anyone.
Now, here is the passage in Prince Caspian that caused me pause this morning:
“‘But what do you want with a tail?’ asked Aslan. ‘Sir,’ said the Mouse, ‘I can eat and sleep and die for my King without one. But a tail is the honor and glory of a Mouse.’ ‘I have sometimes wondered, friend,’ said Aslan, ‘whether you do not think too much about your honor.’ ‘Highest of all High Kings,’ said Reepicheep, ‘permit me to remind you that a very small size has been bestowed on us Mice, and if we did not guard our dignity, some (who weigh worth by inches) would allow themselves very unsuitable pleasantries at our expense.’” 🐁 From Prince Caspian, The Chronicles of Narnia (Publication Order #2)
I heard it said once that honor is giving voice to what we value. It is interesting then that Aslan is questioning the mouse about thinking too much about honor. It is important to give honor to others not just to ourselves. I love how Lewis worked this lesson in. There are a thousand ways to nuance words and bend illustrations so that honor flows our way. It is hard not to. Ever been telling a story to honor someone else and also manage to weave in some praise for yourself? Ever been making a comment or asking a question in a meeting and skillfully worked in details of your latest/greatest thing? Don’t worry, you are not alone. We all do it. But Aslan’s point is a valid one; we think too much about our own honor. In the mouse’s case, the tail had become a source of vanity, because all the other mice had one.
Through Aslan, C. S. Lewis may have been suggesting that the mouse, Reepicheep, was too focused on his own honor and reputation, rather than on more important values such as loyalty, kindness, and selflessness. This could be a lesson about humility and the true meaning of honor and selflessness. It’s important to remember that true honor comes from within, from doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Selflessness, kindness, and loyalty are the qualities that truly define a person’s character and worth.
It all circles back to being one’s authentic self. By honoring our true-self and true-path, we come face to face with who we are. When we have that authentic face to face with who we are, our true path is revealed and we become inspired.
Which Way To Progress?
Our world is a very different place and as leaders we find ourselves needing new tools, new insights, new strategies, and new tactics for dealing with the ambiguity and challenges we currently face. This ambiguity has become a hot topic because of the unpredictable and volatile nature of today’s global environment. We are all faced with complex and uncertain situations where clear-cut solutions are not readily available. As such, leaders need to be comfortable with ambiguity and able to make decisions in the face of uncertainty. Embracing ambiguity can lead to innovative solutions, adaptability, and resilience in leaders, which are crucial qualities in today’s fast-paced ever-changing world. As I was visiting with professors at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School we were contemplating this. As I returned back to The Kilns I was also reminded of what C. S. Lewis said:
“We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. There is nothing progressive about being pig-headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world it’s pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes. We’re on the wrong road. And if that is so we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.” ~ C. S. Lewis
There is plenty of disagreement about what progress is these days, which should motivate us to decide our true north and find the right roads. We even need to decide, at the very core, what is progress. One of the points that Michael Smets, Professor of Management made in class, and he made it again today when we were visiting was, “We need to be humans first and experts second.” We need to remember that relationships matter. Also, as Lewis pointed out, we need to quit being “pig headed.” This includes admitting mistakes and changing direction.
Pausing To Smell The Roses
This morning as I woke and pulled the curtains open in the room that was Douglas Gresham’s during his childhood at The Kilns, I was overtaken by the sheer beauty of the roses outside my window (see featured photo). No, I did not get up late, it just gets light really early here in Oxford England. I took a minute to pause and just enjoy the individual and unique beauty of each rose. This made me think of how people are just like roses in that they have their own unique beauty and characteristics. Just as roses come in different colors, shapes, and sizes, people come in a variety of personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. Since reality doesn’t always allow us to make a full stop for appreciation, I am titling it “Pausing” in this post because that feels more realistic. What I did was more of a pause and is what I do every time I walk through the house and see the roses.
Embracing diversity and recognizing the individuality of each person helps to create a more vibrant and inclusive community. Just like how roses need care and attention to flourish, people also benefit from nurturing relationships and supportive environments to thrive and bloom. Embracing the concept of pausing and smelling the roses can make us better leaders by reminding us to slow down and appreciate the present moment. Just like how taking care of roses requires patience and attention to detail, being a leader involves nurturing and supporting the growth of those around us.
“When is the last time you stopped, and simply enjoyed what you are doing in the moment?”
~ Janelle Bruland
Another important reminder for me was to make sure I stop and enjoy the moment I am in. This is actually one of the leadership attributes I am studying while here at The Kilns – Being Present. When I think of being present as a leadership trait, Florence Nightingale always comes to mind. She would not have been the influence she was on nursing and health care without her first-hand experience and “being there.” We must be present and in the moment to best serve our people. In fact, since I am living in C.S. Lewis’s house I would add that he acknowledged the power of presence in his writing when he, in Mere Christianity told us he would not attempt certain subjects because he had not experienced them.
By being present and adopting a philosophy of pausing and smelling the roses and being present, we can create a positive work culture that values diversity, creativity, and collaboration. It allows us to see the potential in every individual and empower them to reach their full potential. And make no mistake; I believe EVERY person has potential. Let’s inspire and motivate others to bloom and thrive in their own unique way.
Learning, Growing And Reinventing Every Day
As I get my things stowed away and prepare to land in London England I can’t help but begin to get excited about the odyssey that awaits me. I’m about an hour from arrival and now flying over Ireland. It is 5:45am at The Kilns just outside Oxford; my ultimate destination this morning. I will be living where C. S. Lewis lived and wrote incredible books like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters. As a Visiting Scholar in Residence I will be spending my time studying, writing, and visiting with University of Oxford professors. Make no mistake, I will also be taking in the local flavor as well. Tonight I will walk the path that Jack, as friends called C. S. Lewis, took to The Ampleforth Arms Pub for fish and chips. I am hoping some of the locals I met last fall will be there tonight for rekindling friendships as well as new friends to meet on this pilgrimage. This truly is an odyssey.
This is an odyssey of personal development. For all the areas of self-care that I don’t do a good job of, my personal growth and development is one I have tended very well to. I love learning and even in my seventh decade I want to keep learning and reinventing every day. If you’re not, you owe it to yourself to start – it is never too late. And if you are responsible for the development of others, show your leadership love by making sure you are making personalized growth opportunities available that are unique to each individual’s need. In fact, I was visiting with a client yesterday morning who I have become good friends with and she was sharing that she has been doing a poor job of her own personal development. She was sharing some coursework she is wanting to do. I assured her that she needed to and that I was going to hound her till she did. She shared the information on the program and I really want to take a course or two with her – what fun!
What will your next odyssey be? What odyssey will you help someone else take?
Stories That Wake Us Up
I’m transported by Padraig’s wisdom. With Dunluce Castle rising above us, I start to understand. “Mr. Lewis’s kinds of stories—the fairy tales, the myths, the universes all wrapping themselves around other worlds—are inside ours.” I look to Padraig. “These stories make us remember something we forgot. They make a young boy want to hop out of a bed and see the ruins of a castle. These kinds of stories wake us up.” “Yes!” Padraig takes my face and the rough wool of his mittens scratch. I smile and feel my cheeks lift, cradled in his hands. “The way stories change us can’t be explained,” Padraig says. “It can only be felt. Like love” (p. 242) ~ Once Upon a Wardrobe
Yes! “These kinds of stories wake us up.” Just as Megs described this awakening to Padraig in Once Upon a Wardrobe, I too was woke up by this very story. In the book, George called this being “In the story” (p. 44). As he said, “When I read a story or you tell me one, I can go into them” (p. 44). Once Upon a Wardrobe is a story so well written and told by Patti Callahan Henry that I was transported to Oxford England and The Kilns. In fact, I was so “in the story” that I applied to be a Visiting Scholar in Residence at The Kilns and the University of Oxford. Even though I was a rabid student of the work of C. S. Lewis, without being taken into this story and Patti’s other book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I would have not been inspired to want to see and live at The Kilns. In fact, as I write this, I am in the air flying to England for my second Visiting Scholar in residence study trip. Stories really are powerful!
As an avid reader, my point of this post is the power in being transported by stories. Also, we need to remember the power of influence gained in honing our storytelling abilities. Patti Callahan Henry transported me to The Kilns and Oxford to the point that I had to go be a part. Without her stories I would not have had the amazing experience last fall with my first visit, nor the second journey that began today. I’m glad as Padraig called it, I do not have everything “squared away” in my life and because Patti’s inspiration am learning, growing, and having fun with this odyssey.
This all reminded me of how important a skill storytelling is for us as leaders. Storytelling is a skill we need to develop because it allows us to connect with those we serve and our audiences on a deeper level, inspire and motivate others, communicate complex ideas in a clear and engaging way, and create a shared vision. Storytelling also helps to build trust, foster emotional connections, and make information memorable and impactful. Overall, storytelling is a powerful tool for effective leadership and can help leaders influence and inspire others to achieve common goals. In other words, stories transport us.
LEAP Off The Island
I didn’t plan it this way, but I am pretty pumped that it worked out that I am writing my 29th post of 2024 on Leap Day. I won’t be able to do that again until 2028. As I thought about 2028 I began thinking about projects I’ve got going, people I am working with, relationships I’m building, and lots of other things like people I want to meet and have conversations with. Really, though, most of my thoughts revolved around people. This made me think of something I heard someone say earlier this week, “No human lives on an island.” So true! No one is entirely self-sufficient and independent. We humans are social beings who rely on, and are connected to, others in order to thrive and survive. It’s a “symptom of being human.” I love the metaphor of an island. Just as an island is surrounded by water and connected to other land masses, humans are surrounded by a network of relationships and cannot exist in isolation.
“…you and I together are much, much more than one plus one. We are as many as we are able to be, and less and more.” ~ Nora Bateson, Small Arcs of Larger Circles
C. S. Lewis told us in God in the Dock that, “It is a law of the natural universe that no being can exist on its own resources. Everyone, everything, is hopelessly indebted to everyone and everything else” (Lewis, p. 85). Here, Lewis was highlighting the interconnectedness of all beings, including human beings. He was emphasizing that no being can survive solely on its own resources, and that we are all dependent on each other in some way. This idea reflects the concept of interdependence and the importance of relationships in our lives.
We are all participants in this world whether we want to be or not. As Nora Bateson told us in Small Arcs of Larger Circles, “To be a participant in a complex system is to desire to be both lost and found in the interrelationships between people, nature, and ideas” (Bateson, location 142 in Kindle). Note here the reminder that we are all participants in a complex system. Another favorite lesson of mine from Nora’s book is about cereal. She said, “The determination of something as simple as the quality of breakfast cereal is a complex idea that carries along in its wake a long string of influences ranging from developments in agriculture to physical labor and politics, to social demographics and eventually to the place we call taste… but it is just an idea made of other ideas, in a living world of ideas all pushing and pulling each other. They don’t sit still” (Bateson, location 198 in Kindle). We do all live in a world where we are pushing and pulling each other and push and pull spans the globe. Everything is ever-changing and we must remember to grow and evolve with those changes.
The Infinite Loop of Our Influence
I got to watch some television last night and I like to study the characters and the personalities the writers give those characters. I love the show Bones. The protagonist of the series is Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), also known as “Bones,” is a highly intelligent and socially awkward forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, D.C. She is known for her dedication to her work, keen attention to detail, and ability to solve complex cases through the analysis of human remains. Despite her rational and scientific approach to life, she also struggles with interpersonal relationships and often comes across as blunt or insensitive. Overall, Temperance Brennan is a fascinating and multi-dimensional character who is at the top of her field in forensic anthropology.
In the episode I was watching she made a comment to another character, Angela Montenegro (Michaela Conlin) to console her after worrying that she would never find true love again. Bones said, “Of course you will. Infinity goes in both directions. There are no unique moments. Nothing happens just once.” This was one of those highly intellectual and philosophical comments that most of us have trouble understanding. Those that know me know I love to think and ponder on comments like these. First, I had to decide if I believed what she said to be true. Bones was suggesting that time is infinite and cyclical, with events and moments repeating themselves in an endless loop. It implies that there is no such thing as a truly unique moment or experience, as everything is interconnected and part of a larger pattern. It also highlights the idea that nothing is ever truly isolated or one-off, as everything is part of the greater whole of existence.
Whether time is finite, infinite, or cyclical are philosophical questions that are still debated. I do believe there is interconnected, though. What we do affects the lives of others. Without certain people having been a part of my life, both personal and professional, my life would be very different. We need to stay cognizant of the fact that everything is part of a greater whole of existence. What we do today will affect not only those in our inner circle and those we serve, but others on a global level. C. S. Lewis taught us, “It is a law of the natural universe that no being can exist on its own resources. Everyone, everything, is hopelessly indebted to everyone and everything else” (Lewis, God In The Dock, p. 85). As my mom taught me, “Byron, your actions have consequences and will impact others, not just yourself.” Boy was she wise! Whose existence will you impact today? Make it a positive impact.
Framing The Causes
The term “causality” has always given me pause. First, I believe the term is overused in research. Causality assumes that the value of an interdependent variable is the reason for the value of a dependent variable. Social science and education research is very interested in making causal claims. This causal inference remains especially difficult to prove. My problem with claims of causality are the multiple potential explanations that always exist. This does not mean I don’t think causality is important to science. The best research uses methods for getting to causality. When statistically significant causality is proven it is very valuable. As I stated earlier, however, I just believe we are, at times, too quick to claim causality.
It is also interesting to me that causality is a topic debated in theology. In fact, in The Christian In The World, C.S. Lewis credits Sir Arthur Eddington with saying, “Each event comes from another event.” From the reading I believe Lewis struggled with this as an absolute philosophy and I always have too. Everything in life is too complex for that. Causality at face value means that every event or occurrence is caused by a preceding event or set of events. In other words, there a chain of cause and effect in the world, where one event leads to another, and so on. I believe we need to recognize the interconnectedness and continuity of events in our lives and in the world around us. While there may be provable causalities in some cases, we must remember there may be multiple contributing factors.
Having A Revolution
In the epilogue of Miracles, C. S. Lewis introduced us to G. K. Chesterton. Chesterton was greatly applauded in his day, and lived as a celebrity. Now he is somewhat veiled in obscurity, but I am coming to greatly appreciate him as I read Orthodoxy. C. S. Lewis was certainly influenced by Chesterton.
Here is a quote from Orthodoxy that Lewis referenced in the epilogue of Miracles:
“But all conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are. But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change. If you leave a white post alone it will soon be a black post. If you particularly want it to be white you must be always painting it again; that is, you must be always having a revolution. Briefly, if you want the old white post you must have a new white post.”
G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy, p. 122.
G.K. Chesterton was suggesting that conservatism is grounded the belief that if we refrain from making changes, things will remain unchanged. However, this is not accurate because even by leaving something untouched, it will inevitably undergo change over time. The analogy of a white post turning black indicates that if you desire something to stay the same, constant effort and adaptation are required. In other words, to preserve the original state of something, one must continually work towards maintaining it. This can be compared to having a revolution, as it signifies a complete renewal or transformation in order to preserve what is cherished.
On the white post, the paint will fade away. We must change by continuing to paint. Think about it, there may be better paint with new chemistry to last longer. Even though the post is still white, a revolutionary change has been made. And, if we don’t regularly paint, the post will rot away. The truth that the post is white has not changed, but the fresh coat of paint allows the post the attention it deserves.
Similarly, when applied to other scenarios like technology, organizations, or even personal development, a revolution can involve identifying the root causes of decay and implementing radical changes to revitalize and reinvent the object or system. This might involve adopting new technologies, reorganizing processes, or embracing a new mindset. We really need to keep this in mind when considering education. I hear so many people say that things can’t keep changing, but I am not sure how no change would be possible. We must have continual restoration, renewal, and improvement – revolution.
In essence, a revolution seeks to break free from the constraints of the past and embrace a new paradigm that not only restores the original purpose but also enhances it. It requires active participation, continuous effort, and adaptation to ensure that the transformation is successful and sustainable in the long run.
Byron's Babbles 
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