Comments on: Remembering the Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Person

By: Process praise and growth mindsets « Positive Psychology Reflections

Process praise and growth mindsets « Positive Psychology Reflections — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:44:58 +0000

[…] My father did get the Rhodes Scholarship the second time around, which is why I was born in England. I posted the parts of his second application essay on Positive Psychology News Daily that concerned his vision for the future. Here are some additional bits that show his views about trying again: Two years ago I had the privilege of appearing before the district board of selection for Rhodes Scholars. That I was not selected is significant to me because, more than any other factor, it has caused me to review my aim in life and the means of attaining that aim. I realized how inadequately prepared I was for undertaking a course of study at Oxford, yet what an impetus toward my object a tenure at that institution could give me. Most important, it would give me the opportunity to devote all of my time to study under conditions and in surroundings ideal for maximum achievement. Last year, on being assured that competition would once more be open, I decided to forego appling and to concentrate my efforts toward making myself worthy of selection this year. […]

By: Senia

Senia — Thu, 31 May 2007 03:53:03 +0000

Very deep post, Kathryn, thank you! I’m glad you have your father’s application essay - it must feel wonderful to read his words.

By: Kathryn Britton

Kathryn Britton — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:20:44 +0000

Thanks, Angus! I value your opinion highly.

My mother once gave me a book called Lost in the Victory about the children of people lost in war. Of course, some were lost in the defeat. It made me extrapolate from my own experience to the huge collateral human damage caused by war. My son once did a school project on the environmental impact of war, which was similarly eye-opening. It’s unbearable to think about so much wanton waste. Too bad we can’t go back to sticks and stones — or better yet, go forward to wiffle sticks and wiffle stones.

By: Angus Skinner

Angus Skinner — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:38:09 +0000

What a great tribute Kathryn, and thank you for sharing this with us. I guess Chris is right (as aye) but I am struck also by the clarity of values, the steadfastness of purpose that shines through (there is subtely there that is beyond grit).
What a tragic loss, to you and us all. A loss of his ideals, actions and love in life - wasted in war. He fought for and won a better world. We have his hope.

great piece
Angus