Congratulations to Brian, Greg and Cathy, and everyone, for a successful conference. Thanks to Glenn for his presentation. And special thanks to Russell Shaw for contributing. Super special thanks to Rudy Bachraty for yesterday’s live video feed – that was awesome! And on to Orlando!
And all that brings me back to Don Reedy’s comment yesterday about how much he enjoyed Greg Swann’s opening segment that delved into history and philosophy. I wholeheartedly agreed.
I suppose I might be in the minority, but I would happily attend a conference consisting of 100% history, philosophy and linguistics. Greg Swann would be the main event, and I wonder if interesting people from local universities might be found who would enjoy presenting summaries of their particular disciplines.
Oh, and I think I would toss in a public speaking coach, since with the advent of video as a marketing medium, grace and skill in public speaking is becoming an absolute necessity.
I even have a name for this conference: “A Crash Course In Liberal Arts For the Busy Professional”. Seriously. We get so caught up in the frenzy of doing business and finding ways to prospect for more business, that we forget the foundation for all commerce lies in our ability to think, to understand, and to reason. And learning to think, understand and reason is precisely the purpose of a Liberal Arts education.
Keep in mind here the word “liberal” in this context does not relate to a contemporary political opinion, but rather the definition from classical antiquity: The education proper to a freeman (Latin: libera, “free”) as opposed to a slave.
I think the reason Greg’ words resonate so deeply is many people have passed up a Liberal Arts education, opting instead for business-intensive vocational or technical learning. And when we get a taste of that Liberal Arts mindset, we are hungry for more. We find there is a deeper and wider context with which to view our activities and our lives.
I am wondering if a one or two day conference built on that idea of introducing Liberal Arts to frenzied business people just might be successful. It does kinda sorta fit with the whole Jesuit/Missionary/Bloodhound thing.
Greg Swann says:
Bless you, Cheryl. Thank you. This is a great idea. If I ever devise a crest, the inscription will be educare est educere — to bring up is to bring out — to educate a mind is to lead that mind out from the slavery and darkness of ignorance.
It was a delight to have met you, and I regret that I didn’t have more time to spend with you. Cathy and I were remarking last night on the beatific beauty of your face. You beam, my lady. You are a beacon of goodness.
May 21, 2008 — 5:59 am
Mike Farmer says:
I second that — I think it would be a great idea — thanks for this thoughful post.
May 21, 2008 — 6:11 am
Don Reedy says:
Cheryl,
What life springs from some of the hardest earth! Being in Arizona this past week, with record temperatures even for them, I once again marveled at how life manages to take root and grow to such raw beauty in the most difficult of climates.
Greg’s oratory, and the content therein, was all the more marvelous when seen through the hard and unforgiving landscape of the real estate industry. While we love what we do, we survive in a harsh world that is replete with (as Greg said) silicon/sand.
A conference with just the content you suggest would be welcome rain upon our parched intellectual existence. I would also like to say that during the conference, I was blessed to not only hear Greg’s wonderful talk, but there were many more “philosophical” discussions I was drawn into with much glee and wonder. The setting exuded just such a discourse, and to do so again as you suggest is music to my ears.
I, too, spent too little time with you, but enough to want more of that sweet and infectious smile.
May 21, 2008 — 7:03 am
Brian Brady says:
There is a reason I consider CJ my blogmother. She understands that the why trumps the how, everyday
May 21, 2008 — 7:15 am
Teri Lussier says:
What an insight, Cheryl.
I enjoyed listening to Greg’s Greek philosophy lesson as well. Followed by the brilliant Mary McKnight- what a lot to digest.
And I have to add that meeting you was one of the highlights of the conference. You are a rare and lovely person, Cheryl, and I’m so very honored to know you.
May 21, 2008 — 7:17 am
Richard Riccelli says:
Cheryl,
I have just the thing for you and everyone like you — from one of my clients.
http://www.thegreatcourses.com
I can tell you first hand these are extraordinary experiences.
May 21, 2008 — 8:07 am
Cathleen Collins says:
This is brilliant, Cheryl. So sad for those who refuse to recognize Splendor. As Greg mentioned, we were speaking of you last night, of the beauty that radiates from you. I wish you had had more time to spend in Phoenix, and that I had had more time to spend with you.
May 21, 2008 — 9:43 am
Brad Coy says:
A marvelous point of view Cheryl. I have been following great thoughts around on these pages for some time with that hunger. What a wonderful opportunity it was to fill up some knowledge delivered as only @gswann and company could do it. So happy to have met you.
May 22, 2008 — 2:16 am