Growth Mindset: Stepping out of your comfort zone

Ending this semester and going into a new job the growth mindset challenge was definitely something I wanted to do. Needless to say, this article hit me hard in the face! I am definitely one of those people that want to live a full life without any regrets. I like to tell myself that I step out of my comfort zone, but truth is that is really hard to do. “Become comfortable with feeling uncomfortable” I love that line because of the truth in it. I have to push myself to get where I want to be and there will be tons of uncomfortable feelings along the way I’m sure! That is something I will have to remember at my job and during my last semester of school in the fall.

Realizing all your fears are fictional is something I definitely needed to read. My boyfriend and parents are always trying to show me that, but I never see it until someone else talks to me about it. Ignoring negative thoughts is going to be a main focus for me moving forward in life.

If you guys have some time of your own you should take a look at this website . There are so many doors that can open for you when you truly step out of your comfort zone!

(Growth mindset resources)

Ideas for Class Improvements

Changing review weeks to planning weeks I think is a really good idea! I like the review weeks because I can think back on everything I've done and make sure it's exactly how I want it to be. However, I think if there was a planning week around Week 8 that would be really helpful. That way students can really think about how they are doing in the class and plan a schedule to either stay on track or change paths to do better. Also, I think a planning week on Week 2 would be helpful because like you said students would have to make a plan for themselves to do well in this class. I also think that would open some students eyes about the level of commitment for this class early on.

I did the story planning option a couple times and I really enjoyed it. It allowed me to think of multiple different scenarios for the story. I also was able to really gather a solid personality for characters. For these I personally looked a lot at your links for Storytelling ideas and more random ideas. Those sites really helped me think more creatively for my planning and storytelling! The only thing I could think of that could be helpful is have a link to a few examples of storytelling planning from past students. I say that because on the first one I did I had no idea what I was doing. It wasn't until I started seeing other student's planning post that I really figured out how to make the most out of them.

I really like the idea of having students reading out loud and recording a mp3 audio to share with you for extra credit. I say that because I really enjoyed the stories that you had recorded yourself reading! With students recording themselves reading stories I think it would take pressure off of you to record yourself reading all of these stories. I have never listened to audio books before, but I really took advantage of the sound cloud in the first half of the semester.

Having writing tutorial videos would be helpful for story writing! I was personally guilty of comma splices and not so easy to read dialogue. The problem is I never knew it was a problem until it was pointed out to me. So I think videos educating students in this early on in the semester would be a helpful tool!

I really enjoyed the way the readings are currently set up! It allows the students to read things they might have initially not thought they would enjoy, but turned out loving. I think if it was broken into themed categories students might not ever read anything outside of their comfort zone.

Tech Tip: Pinterest Side Bar

Hey guys! I added a Pinterest sidebar! It seemed a bit scary going in, but it was a fairly simple to add! You can learn how to add a sidebar to your blog here.

The board I have on there right now is full of funny memes all writers can get a good laugh from! I hope everyone enjoys it!

Week 14 Review

That back up tool was super helpful! I had never thought of backing up my blog or google account, but it seems like it could really save me from some frustration if anything were to happen to my stuff. 

Sunday life item

I absolutely love the life/camera metaphor it is so perfect and encouraging! I also really have enjoyed the words of the day from India (and Mythology)! I didn’t know how much I’d be interested in learning about India when the semester started, but it has been such a fun learning experience!

I also enjoy getting to see the events on campus that are posted on our class announcements! Being an engineering major I don’t hear about much that’s going on outside of our college.

Saturday mythology item

The VanGoYourself site is so awesome! If this became more viral on social media that’d be awesome because it would give some people exposure to art for the first time. Who knows maybe there is a secret artist being held inside themselves?!

The growth mindset memes do an excellent job of encouraging me to do a growth mindset challenge! Plus, I have a weakness for cats!

All the interesting facts you tell us about the days make me want to google that everyday to see what neat stuff has happened in the past on the current day I’m living.

Portfolio Guide

For my project this semester in Epics of India I am making a portfolio of some of my favorite stories! The theme for my portfolio is strong women in the classic Indian tales. Get ready for some fun reads!

First let's think about a different way Sita's swayamvara could have gone in my story There's always someone bigger and better.

Now what if Bhima was a girl and she fought back when Duryodhana tried to kill her?

Or what if Sita stood up to her father when he said she couldn't fight rakshasas? What would happen? Whose life could she positively impact? Find out in my story Sita inspires Mulan

Last but not least! Can you imagine living without the love of your life, because he magically lost his memory? Yeah, Sakuntala couldn't either! Read about what she did here: Sakuntala

Inspirational quotes for women

I hope that my Portfolio can inspire women and inspire men to empower the women in their lives. I think way to often being female people sometimes view us as less of a person, when that's not the case at all. My stories show instances where women took charge of what happened to them and their lives and I think they are better off for it. I hope we all try to be strong and courageous like these Indian ladies!

Reading Notes: Dutt-M. Classic Tales (B)

• What if Suruchi felt bad for Suniti because their husband neglected her? And the two women got together?
• I wonder how things would play out with the wives if somehow there was an accident where the son of the favorite wife died?
• Dhruva was a very mature and brave kid!
• It'd be interesting to tell this story through the eyes of one of the wives.

(Wikipedia: Vishnu and Dhruva)

• What if Sabitri was known for being the ugliest girl ever?
• It'd be interesting to do a story that talks more about why the messengers of death and Yama could not get close to Sabitri.
• I love the persistence of Sabitri!!! Best love story ever!

(Wiki: Sabitri begging Yama)

• What if there was some kind of battle between the women in all of the stories we've read of who loved their husband more?
• ooooh Debjani got friendzoned! It'd be funny to make this story into a modern version.
• I'd love to see a showdown between Debjani and Sharmista by her catching Sharmista and her husband sneaking around.
• It would be interesting to see the Harishchandra story in modern time, where technology could play a role.
• The part of Harishchandra where he sells his wife and gives away his son could definitely be made into a story!
• What an interesting twist for the gods to start worshiping a king!

Bibliography: Gleanings from Indian Classics, Volume 1: Tales of India by Manmatha Nath Dutt

Reading Notes: Dutt-M. Classic Tales (A)

(Devdutt: Hindu gods)

• How interesting that the gods and demons worked together to make the oceans! What if something went wrong and it just turned into a bunch of lava instead of water?
• It seems kind of funny to me that Vishnu took the form of a woman to make all of the gods and demons get along when dividing the ocean.
• It’d be kind of funny to turn this story into children fighting over who got to play with which toys during playtime, since the gods and demons were kind of acting like children.
• I feel like I could somehow related the thunder from the bones to a story set in today’s time where something bad had happened but the thunder/lighting was the beginning of something good?
• How/why were the demons able to get into heaven and steal so easily? I feel like there’s a story there!
• It’d be fun to write a story over Cupid (Madan, god of love) telling his friends some crazy situations he had been in. Especially have him talk about shooting Shiva but somehow he gets away
• The way that Shiva and Sati lived their lives as gods could be a good example to kings that are filled with greed.
• I wonder if the character of Shiva was set in today's time if he would be considered a drug abuser?
• I wonder if there is another way for Sati to make her father stop insulting her husband other than killing herself?

(Shiva carrying Sati's body)

• It'd be interesting to have a story through the eyes of the parents of the terrible Hiranyakshya and Hiranyakashyapu while they were growing up.
• The story of Prahlada was awesome. I definitely feel like there's a story I could write about him.
• What if I did a story of Shakuntala and her friends in modern time like a high school or something?

Bibliography: Gleanings from Indian Classics, Volume 1: Tales of India by Manmatha Nath Dutt