I came across "The Art of Possibility" on complete accident. I was reading a ton of Seth Godin and it was mentioned in one of his reading lists. So I bought the audio book.
I thought it was a little odd that it was actually a book read by the authors, Ben Zander and Rosamund Stone Zander.
Most authors either default to better orators or just take the check and walk away--talking to you Shane Snow. But this couple nails it and they do it together, despite not being together (hello progressive thought).
If you're a Landmark graduate this whole book is the best summary of your education that you'll likely ever come across. If not, it's a great way to pry through the rusty old plates of the way that you think and allow you to see your obstacles as opportunity.
I was on a long run, in the hills of Oregon listening to this oddly calming book when Ben Zander decided to relate the following tale:
"Two Prime ministers were sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and baning his fist on the desk.
The resident prime minister admonishes him: “Peter,” he says, “kindly remember Rule Number 6,” whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes, and withdraws.
The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by an hysterical woman gesticulating wildly, her hair flying.
Again the intruder is greeted with the words: “Marie, please remember Rule Number 6.” Complete calm descends once more, and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology.
When the scene is repeated for a third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: “My dear friend, I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of this Rule Number 6?” “Very simple,” replies the resident prime minister. “Rule Number 6 is ‘Don’t take yourself so damn seriously.'” “Ah,” says his visitor, “that is a fine rule.” After a moment of pondering, he inquires, “And what, may I ask, are the other rules?” … “There aren’t any.”
Whether or not any of it is true, it rang true and therefore I had to juxtapose it correctly in a piece of sculpture that looks incredibly serious and functions as it's antithesis.