Quill_Quirks

I recently came across an interesting fellow while perusing the internet. His name is Marcus Buckingham, and he is a "consultant, author, and leading authority on leadership and management". Now, I'm a Flame-Evangelist, not this guy's promoter; however, I really dig what he says in this video.

Imagine if more of our schools and work environments were "strength-based". I definitely support a well rounded education for children, and most definitely support cross-training in jobs, but what if we were a society that encouraged people to excel in their strengths rather than striving for consistent mediocrity in several subjects/fields.

In the U.S., determining the amount of federal funding to be distributed to public schools is done by considering which schools' students score best in annual proficiency tests. Those tests don't cover the arts or athletics, nor do they focus beyond basic math, comprehension skills, or National History. So, if a child is a brilliant musician or has a talent in creative writing... funds aren't going to pour into their schools to pay for programs dedicated to developing those skills.

Imagine the possibilities if, every day of our lives, we were encouraged to go with our strengths! I certainly wouldn't have wasted two semesters in Home-Ec back in high school. And my old classmates would be all the better for it...

Today's featured writer produced a story for brigits_flame a few months ago that had some of us reading, re-reading, chattering and even arguing (in a friendly way) for days. I would say she's succeeded in using her own unique strengths while in this community. Regardless of whether you're thrilled with the construction of her story, or saddened by the content, I think y'all will agree.

My darlings, I give you Quill_Quirks!

BIO:

Hello. I am Brenda, aka Quill Quirks. I joined LJ in 2007 when I first participated in Nanowrimo. I thought I would use LJ to write in daily as I accrued my 1666 words a day. I quickly discovered the many limitations of that plan. I kept LJ, however, because I could randomly read about various kinds of people. Quill Quirks was the username I chose because I generally write some turn of wonder or a twist ending. At any rate, I guess I think of myself as a bit curious or quirky. I often tell others "You gotta go with your strength." So, I am following my own good advice and am embracing my own 'quirkiness'.

Atlanta, Georgia is my birthplace and home. Though my birth site, The Techwood Homes, was torn down to build the 1996 Olympic housing. Techwood was the first public housing project in the U.S. That's right. I am a poor Southern gal. I eat grits and Vidalia onions, though, typically not at the same meal.

Some of you may have heard my voice post a few days ago. Yep, I'm Southern. I say y'all and ask about ya mama. I spent the first half of my life trying to live down my poor Southern heritage because I was ashamed. No one was fooled; I was just in denial. But, I've begun to find my voice, which, as a writer, I must wield precisely. It will come as no surprise that I have found my voice to be, most unabashedly, poor and Southern.

I want to thank Brigit's Flame for helping me have a deadline for which to write. I found BF in October and I have been tethered to my keyboard almost every day writing one thing or another. BF is special because it has so many talented and kind people from all parts of the world. And I appreciate each and every single one of you.

The Chosen Piece:

My chosen piece is one that caused a bit of a stir. If you were one of the gentle ones upset by it, be advised to skip this. It's a slightly polished version of The Singing Zombie.

The Link:
http://quill-quirks.livejournal.com/9664.html

 

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