I just got done facilitating a class that addressed Creator vs. Victim language. In Chapter 2, On Course offers a list of language categories that Victims use, with examples; then, it shows Creator language for the same situation. When I get to the heading, “Victims ‘Try,'” I invite two famous individuals to elucidate via the technology of TV. About 1/3 of the way through “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” Yoda is training Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Jedi. Luke is balancing on one hand with a stack of rocks and Yoda balanced on his feet. Luke is distracted by, what appears to be, the final sinking of his starship. Yoda encourages Luke to use the Force to retrieve his ship. When Luke says “OK, I’ll ‘try’,” Yoda utters some of my favorite lines: “No! Try, not. Do… or do not! There is no ‘try’!” I rewind and replay that specific phrase two more times, then allow the segment to play out until Luke, having seen Yoda retrieve the starship, says, “I can’t believe it!” To which Yoda replies, “That is why you fail!” (Which conveniently ties into a class discussion, earlier in the period, when we touched on self-limiting beliefs.) The video sequence takes about 6 minutes including the rewinds. Response from the students made the rental well worth the money. This activity is definitely a keeper for me. [Editor’s Note: This scene is now available HERE.]
Steve Wilkins, Counselor, Student Support Services, Eastern Kentucky University, KY
