Open mic

May 17, 2012
This poem could potentially be the first poem I perform at an open mic, if I ever build enough courage and find the right venue:

Trying to engage power
In a conversation
It doesn't want to hear
Because abusive power
Is ugly
And looking at the reflection
Of ugly use of power
Hurts

But it hurts less
Then continuing on
An unreflective path
A disconnected life

It hurts less 
Than becoming an island
Alone

Ugly abusive use of power
Pushes everyone away
When you stand alone
Lonely
What choice will you make?

In a world of choices
Possibilities
Potential
Will you cut down
All those around you?
Will you stunt your own growth
Have you already
Been stunted

Has your potential gone dry
Like a puddle
On a hot day

It is your choice
Will you engage
Be part of this poem
This conversation
This vision
Of power

We all have it
It is how we use it
That counts

Will you use it over me?
Over all
To put us down 
To shut us up

Or with me 
With us
To be part of something
Greater than yourself

It is a choice
How to use power
Engage in conversation
Or silence
With intimidation

Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Power 

 

Leadership and Self-Deception

May 12, 2012
I recently read a book titled Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute. The preface of the book began with a metaphor about a baby crawling backwards under a piece of furniture and getting stuck. Everything the baby tries to do only manages to get it even more stuck. With its mounting frustration were the baby able to articulate its problem, it would say the furniture is the problem, not the fact that it is its own lack of vision that is preventing the baby from seeing how to a...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Power 

 

Critical Mass/Baltimore Bike Party

April 29, 2012
On Friday night I rode in the monthly Baltimore Bike Party. The Bike Party, formerly Critical Mass goes on a group ride the last Friday of every month. I went along this month because it was a good friend's birthday and it was what she wanted to do. I will admit, I was a little skeptical. When I lived in New York, I respected the Critical Mass rides, although never participated in them. I was never confident enough to ride my bike much in NYC, but I supported the idea of a traffic slowing gro...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Personal Experience 

 

Choices, Changes and Encouragement

April 1, 2012
What has to happen for us to make the choices that are what we need, want and make us our best possible selves?

I have been riding my bike as primary means of transportation for two weeks now. Somehow it is something that I have always wanted to do and I am feeling really good about my decision. The fact that my car had to break down for me to make this decision has me considering doing things out of necessity versus doing things by choice. I started riding my bike because my car broke down an...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Personal Experience 

 

Bicycling Baltimore

March 23, 2012
In my first week as a biker in Baltimore I rode my bike to work two and a half days out of six (making the assumption that I ride tomorrow). I have realized several things in this time. The first is that if I am really going to live without a car, I am going to need a better bike. I knew my bike wasn't great, but after borrowing a friend's bike, which I have been told is also not a great bike and thinking it was the best bike I ever rode, I now know that in order to make biking my primary mea...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Personal Experience 

 

How to Speak Truth to Power

March 7, 2012
I had a realization recently that someone who had power over me was willing to use that power over me, rather than with me. It is my belief that power used with all involved produces much better results than power used over, which produces unhappiness and pain. In the circumstance that I was in, it definitely did not feel good. I try to be honest with people, to tell them truthfully what I see and feel and understand from my perspective regardless of who they are in my life. This may get me i...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Power 

 

Thoughts About Openings

March 4, 2012
Last night the show I curated Women: an Exhibition opened at D center @MAP. It was fantastic. There are moments in life when things happen as one has envisioned them and it is magic. Last night was one of those nights. I know I am always partial to the artists that I curate into my exhibitions. I love them and their work. The ones that I know personally are amazing people and the ones that I don't know are just as incredible. Curating and hanging shows is one of the most enjoyable and satisfy...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Art 

 

There Is A Self That Must Be Listened To

February 25, 2012
More inspiration from Warren Bennis. I will wax poetic on these thoughts and ideas that are taking root, growing in shape and providing inspiration as I read his words. It is about learning. "Learn what it takes to learn what you should learn - and learn it." These are the words of Aurelio Peccei. The urgency in the notes that I have written as I read confirms that this is something that I must and have and am learning. Always in a state of being open to those things that I need to become, to...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Responsibility 

 

On Reinventing Oneself

February 24, 2012
I am reading Warren Bennis' book On Becoming a Leader. Bennis is extremely astute and insightful on people, why they do what they do and what it really takes to be a good leader. It has me thinking and excited. One of Bennis' ideas is that in order to be a leader one has to be oneself, really oneself. Not the construction of identity that happens when one allows oneself to be effected by one's environment (family, friends, culture, society, etc.). He says that people who are able to reinvent ...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Leadership 

 

Practicing Patience

February 11, 2012
Patience is something that I have not always found easy to maintain in my life. I tend to be a little impulsive, a little restless and have a hard time waiting. I have realized though that maybe the old adage is true and good things come to those who wait, but not those who wait and do nothing. Things will not happen if one does nothing, but if one knows what one wants and is willing to be open and honest about these things then eventually all the pieces seem to fall into place. I am not sayi...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Responsibility 

 
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My blog


This blog will address issues of communication, art, and life from my point of view. It is a means for me to keep writing, thinking critically, and finding meaning in my life and work.