Paradoxes of Group Life

The definition of paradoxes in this context could be “a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.” As in The Paradoxes of Life by Dalai Lama, we can see statements or concepts which contain conflicting ideas. A connection of that statement refers to our tasks to reflect our own thoughts and experiences to group dynamics. Smith & Berg (1997, 11) expresses that “group life is inherently paradoxical”. And by saying that, they mean that individual members experience the group as being filled with contradictory and opposing emotions, thoughts, and actions that coexist inside the group (Smith & Berg, 1997, 15). In my opinion inherently can be associated with people, the human nature, which creates the paradoxical nature in group life. As can be seen in Dalai Lama’s text, people are paradoxical. And it makes the dynamics in group life interesting!

The Paradox of Our Age

“Where I'm From” by Sini Puustinen

I am from Thousand Lakes

the White Snow and Green Forests

the Fresh Air I can breathe and live in freedom.

I am from happiness and peacefulness

the Smile and Warm Hugs that makes me feel safe.

I am from Love

the Bedrock that surrounds me with Stability

I am from Acceptance

the Come as You Are.

I am from the Activity and Adventure

the Sports, Friends and Social Butterfly

the New Things to Explore

as if I could conquer the World.

I am from These Things

Confident and Full of Dreams.

First thoughts, feelings, and reactions

As an exchange student I was a little bit worried how I'm going to manage in the foreign country, in the VCU, with new friends,  and in classes: how I figure out how to honor cultural traditions and manners, am I going to fit in, what the others will think of me, am I being accepted, and am I going to be succesfull. All of these thoughts came into my mind at home in Finland before I had even booked my flights! I was afraid but excited, it frightened me and it felt good at the same time.

And after the first class of learning in groups and teams I realised that I have had the same thoughts and questions which are very common concerning new situations with groups and teams. It is the nature of human being, I assume. It doesn't matter what kind of new experience of socializing with new people in a new environment you are going to face, you are going to deal with these same concerns and questions.

It takes time to develop a successful group.In this point as an exchange student my being here has been a travel from a group to another. I am sailing in the first stage of group development, forming, with new people, getting to know new people in different settings and I am liking it! The forming stage is probably the most exciting part of the group development! But because of the knowledge from the reading about groups and teams, I'm waiting some storming... And when that happens I know I'm doing some progress in my journey to be an exchange student who figured out how to honor cultural traditions and manners, has fitted in, knows what the others think of me, is being accepted (hopefully), and is going to be succesfull. It just takes some norming, performing and adjourning after storming!

Sini