Chapter 58
Meeting the Poets of Purgatory
Our journey was not slacken’d by our talk, Nor yet our talk by journeying. Still we spake, And urg’d our travel stoutly, like a ship When the wind sits astern. The shadowy forms, That seem’d things dead and dead again, drew in At their deep-delved orbs rare wonder of me, Perceiving I had life; and I my words Continued, and thus spake; “He journeys up Perhaps more tardily then else he would, For others’ sake. But tell me, if thou know’st, Where is Piccarda? Tell me, if I see Any of mark, among this multitude, Who eye me thus.”—“My sister…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Innovation Moment
Think of a time when you broke away from 'how things are usually done' to find a better approach - at work, in parenting, in a relationship, or solving a problem. Write down what the old way was, what breakthrough you made, and who (if anyone) recognised your new approach. Then flip it: recall a time when someone else's fresh method made you realise your way was outdated.
Consider:
- •Focus on genuine breakthroughs, not just rebellion against rules
- •Notice whether recognition came from people who understood the work deeply
- •Consider how you felt in both the innovator and the established role
Journaling Prompt
Write about a situation where you need to choose between defending your current approach and acknowledging someone else's better method. What's holding you back from making that choice?
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