Saturday, June 13, 2009
A mush brained mom
O.K. Thoughts from a mush-brained mom who needs to proof read what she writes more thoroughly. It is my hope that I will improve with time. Time, that for those who struggle to articulate often need more of. I apologize for the mistakes and inability to use the correct past participles.
Words of Wisdom from Franklin
"I am apprehensive, therefore--perhaps too apprehensive--that the Government of these States may be in future times end in a monarchy. But this catastrophe, I think, may be long delayed, if in our proposed system we do not sow the seeds of contention, faction, and tumult, by making our posts of honor places of profit."
Honor and profit. I recently heard about the word entitlement. It was labeled as a selfish desire--"it demands much, and it gives little or nothing. Its very concept causes us to seek to elevate ourselves above those around us. Where will this attitude lead us? What has it brought us?
If one goes back to the days of King David a period of time in Israelite history and study what leadership meant,what the duty of those in charge was, it takes on a very different picture. David's charge was to protect the families, provide the opportunity for families to care for themselves. They worked right along side the people and fought along side those fighting. Those in charge always got into trouble the minute they considered themselves above the law, or an exception to the rule, or somehow entitled, because of who they are. Leadership meant serving the people, not benefiting from the people. It is evident by those who lasted, who were successful in history either did so out of goodness or the failure of goodness. It is also evident that it is a weakness in man who is given too much power and not held accountable by someone above them , or more powerful to oppress. It seems without such accountability atrocities occur, tyranny reigns and the majority of the people lose. The even sadder evidence of history is the propensity of men to want to turn over their accountability and responsibility for their lives to another individual or group, especially when things seem to be out of control. Our Founding Fathers called it "a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government." Franklin said it gives people the illusion that somehow a king will establish "equality among citizens; and that they like."
Are we very different today? Before we think that history is over and we have nothing to learn. Stop for a moment and consider how many are begging for the government to take over. Even insurance companies represent turning over responsibility for paying for things. We get mad when they don't pay it all, after all we are entitled to it. Don't get me wrong, in that I am against everything. I am just suggesting that anytime we give over a responsibility to someone else, we give over our ability to choose for ourselves. In a sense we are giving up our freedom.
There is also another style of leadership, one that accepts responsibility and accountability rather than privilege and entitlement. History has given us examples of men who lived their lives and gave their talents to benefit man rather than get something from them. Men who inspired other men to rise to all they had been given, to think for themselves and take responsibility and pride in their abilities. Men who do not demand honor because of what position they hold, nor by words they say, but by the very goodness of who they are and what they produce. Honor not by what they promise or accomplish by the backs, labor and money of others. It is easy to spend anothers' money, time and hard efforts. Especially under the false idea that no one is holding you accountable. If we allow this kind of behavior and vote for it, accepting words rather than actions, then in a sense, we can't complain. Someone once said, that in our day George Washington would never have been elected. Yet our country fostered and grew under his leadership and direction. Maybe instead of thinking the past great minds have nothing for us, we ought to try and figure out what they were like, and look for the same kind in our day. Perhaps we should look back and learn the basic principles and thoughts of those great minds that made America and opened the door for our great nation. Perhaps we need to return to history and the basics so we don't repeat the mistakes of history. Maybe we ought to look for men that produce rather than smooth talk and live lives without integrity and void of values. Men whose circle of friendship is more producing than popularity and limelight centered and bound. Thinkers grounded in sound and time-honored principles rather than theories and ideas that historically have failed under the other names given to such philosophies. Just an idea from a mush-brain mom, who thinks about deeper things once in a while.
Honor and profit. I recently heard about the word entitlement. It was labeled as a selfish desire--"it demands much, and it gives little or nothing. Its very concept causes us to seek to elevate ourselves above those around us. Where will this attitude lead us? What has it brought us?
If one goes back to the days of King David a period of time in Israelite history and study what leadership meant,what the duty of those in charge was, it takes on a very different picture. David's charge was to protect the families, provide the opportunity for families to care for themselves. They worked right along side the people and fought along side those fighting. Those in charge always got into trouble the minute they considered themselves above the law, or an exception to the rule, or somehow entitled, because of who they are. Leadership meant serving the people, not benefiting from the people. It is evident by those who lasted, who were successful in history either did so out of goodness or the failure of goodness. It is also evident that it is a weakness in man who is given too much power and not held accountable by someone above them , or more powerful to oppress. It seems without such accountability atrocities occur, tyranny reigns and the majority of the people lose. The even sadder evidence of history is the propensity of men to want to turn over their accountability and responsibility for their lives to another individual or group, especially when things seem to be out of control. Our Founding Fathers called it "a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government." Franklin said it gives people the illusion that somehow a king will establish "equality among citizens; and that they like."
Are we very different today? Before we think that history is over and we have nothing to learn. Stop for a moment and consider how many are begging for the government to take over. Even insurance companies represent turning over responsibility for paying for things. We get mad when they don't pay it all, after all we are entitled to it. Don't get me wrong, in that I am against everything. I am just suggesting that anytime we give over a responsibility to someone else, we give over our ability to choose for ourselves. In a sense we are giving up our freedom.
There is also another style of leadership, one that accepts responsibility and accountability rather than privilege and entitlement. History has given us examples of men who lived their lives and gave their talents to benefit man rather than get something from them. Men who inspired other men to rise to all they had been given, to think for themselves and take responsibility and pride in their abilities. Men who do not demand honor because of what position they hold, nor by words they say, but by the very goodness of who they are and what they produce. Honor not by what they promise or accomplish by the backs, labor and money of others. It is easy to spend anothers' money, time and hard efforts. Especially under the false idea that no one is holding you accountable. If we allow this kind of behavior and vote for it, accepting words rather than actions, then in a sense, we can't complain. Someone once said, that in our day George Washington would never have been elected. Yet our country fostered and grew under his leadership and direction. Maybe instead of thinking the past great minds have nothing for us, we ought to try and figure out what they were like, and look for the same kind in our day. Perhaps we should look back and learn the basic principles and thoughts of those great minds that made America and opened the door for our great nation. Perhaps we need to return to history and the basics so we don't repeat the mistakes of history. Maybe we ought to look for men that produce rather than smooth talk and live lives without integrity and void of values. Men whose circle of friendship is more producing than popularity and limelight centered and bound. Thinkers grounded in sound and time-honored principles rather than theories and ideas that historically have failed under the other names given to such philosophies. Just an idea from a mush-brain mom, who thinks about deeper things once in a while.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
CATCH The WAVE? NOT!
I am a substitute teacher and recently worked in a high school English class. During the class we watched a movie called, "The Wave." It was based on an actual story that took place in a California High School, if I remember correctly, in the 1970's. The movie made such an impression that I have not been able to stop thinking about the events depicted in the movie.
The movie begins in a HS History classroom where the teacher is talking about Hitler and his regime and the atrocious crimes they committed. The students question how that many deaths and crimes could occur without the German people realizing and doing something to stop Hitler's killing. I cannot remember the actual number, just how I felt like the student questioning the teacher--the numbers were too staggering to be ignored. The teacher doesn't know the answer to the students question, so he goes home and researches the details of Hitler's methods.
The teacher decides in the process to put Hitler's practices in his own classroom, sort of his own experiment. He first teaches the students to sit up properly, with backs straight. He introduces his new policy in answering questions that include standing next to your desk, addressing him formally as sir, then giving your answer. He then turns it into a game, to see how quickly and efficiently it takes the students to get to their seats from the hallway, and be completely ready for the beginning of class. The first day is all a game and everyone gets into the spirit of the whole thing. The teacher has no intention of going any further with the experiment until he arrives the next day in class to all of his students sitting up straight and uniformly prepared for class. He can't resist the response of the students and decides to carry on with the experiment. To make a long story short, it isn't too long before the teacher has a large following of his new secret, (but not really very secret) society. It becomes an issue on the campus of the school and the popularity of his society begins to cause reactions from other teachers as well as contention within the studentbody. He eventually ends the experiment by calling an exclusive assembly only for those who have joined the "Wave." The assembly is to introduce the leader of their society. He then shows Hitler on the TV.
What is so interesting is to see the response of those involved as the experiment grows day by day. The teacher, himself, gets caught up in the whole experience because he now has students who are well behaved and paying attention to every word. There is no talking out or talking while he is talking. He is receiving respect and regard from his students. What teacher doesn't long for that kind of classroom experience? The teacher had complete control.
The teacher also specifically chose a young man who was an outsider in the normal classroom, to be an example of correct dress. He became the focus by the "ruler" (teacher) because fo the enthusiastic way this young man adhered himself to the new rules and expectations of the new class regime. As spectators we witnessed the change as this outsider student became a part of his classmates and even a leader. A kid who no one would sit with or talk to became an advisor and leader of his peers. The effect on the student was evident. He now felt apart of the crowd and important. It was evident how easily the teacher could recruit faithful followers by appealing to a weakness or unfulfilled desire.
Even some parents as portrayed by one of the student's dad, jumped on the bandwagon because the outcomes produced seemed so positive. Boys that had never studied or done their homework, were now choosing studying and working over other activities. The results were so great, so great that they were too good to be true.
It took a mother to point out that instead of teaching history and allowing students to learn and think for themselves, this teacher was producing, non-thinking, robots. The mother's criticisms caused her daughter to see the events taking place in the classroom as curbing her freedom and ability to think and act as an individual. She awakened her daughter to what was really going on and the oppressive actions of the teacher. This student was a good student who often knew the right answers. When she tried to convince her classmates of the error of the direction the class was taking, it was shocking to see how even her closest friends turned on her. So thrilling was the idea that now they were as smart and important as she used to be, they were unwilling to give credit to anything she was saying.
The viewers of the movie observed how Hitler's methods appealed to so many people, their egos, their weaknesses causing them to be blind to his horrible acts. The participantes in the "cause" experienced first-hand how many of the Germans were probably entangled in Hitler's destructive designs. The movie was eye opening in showing how often what seems so positive and worthy of our support due to the effects immediately produced, can in actuality be oppressive, segregating in nature and, an infringement on our freedoms and rights to think, act, and govern ourselves. The interesting point that the teacher brought out in the end, was the human tendency to want to deny that they ever participated or made the decisions they did during their "Wave"experience. He expressed the hope that they would not forget or deny, but let their experience act as a deterrent to future participation in anything like it.
I will be ever grateful for being in class to watch and vicariously participate in the "Wave." It reminded me of how precious and fragile our freedoms are. We need to be vigilant in protecting our right to think and choose for ourselves according to our own conscience and not a collective, mob like mentality. It is important to be aware and awake to those hidden agendas that seem innocent, positive or equalizing, that are really binding and eventual bondage to a cause that goes against anything decent.
I don't even know if you can find a copy of this movie outside of the education community, but in my mind it is a movie worth finding and watching. I had an even better idea. Ask your teenager if they have seen the movie and how they felt about what happened.
I am a substitute teacher and recently worked in a high school English class. During the class we watched a movie called, "The Wave." It was based on an actual story that took place in a California High School, if I remember correctly, in the 1970's. The movie made such an impression that I have not been able to stop thinking about the events depicted in the movie.
The movie begins in a HS History classroom where the teacher is talking about Hitler and his regime and the atrocious crimes they committed. The students question how that many deaths and crimes could occur without the German people realizing and doing something to stop Hitler's killing. I cannot remember the actual number, just how I felt like the student questioning the teacher--the numbers were too staggering to be ignored. The teacher doesn't know the answer to the students question, so he goes home and researches the details of Hitler's methods.
The teacher decides in the process to put Hitler's practices in his own classroom, sort of his own experiment. He first teaches the students to sit up properly, with backs straight. He introduces his new policy in answering questions that include standing next to your desk, addressing him formally as sir, then giving your answer. He then turns it into a game, to see how quickly and efficiently it takes the students to get to their seats from the hallway, and be completely ready for the beginning of class. The first day is all a game and everyone gets into the spirit of the whole thing. The teacher has no intention of going any further with the experiment until he arrives the next day in class to all of his students sitting up straight and uniformly prepared for class. He can't resist the response of the students and decides to carry on with the experiment. To make a long story short, it isn't too long before the teacher has a large following of his new secret, (but not really very secret) society. It becomes an issue on the campus of the school and the popularity of his society begins to cause reactions from other teachers as well as contention within the studentbody. He eventually ends the experiment by calling an exclusive assembly only for those who have joined the "Wave." The assembly is to introduce the leader of their society. He then shows Hitler on the TV.
What is so interesting is to see the response of those involved as the experiment grows day by day. The teacher, himself, gets caught up in the whole experience because he now has students who are well behaved and paying attention to every word. There is no talking out or talking while he is talking. He is receiving respect and regard from his students. What teacher doesn't long for that kind of classroom experience? The teacher had complete control.
The teacher also specifically chose a young man who was an outsider in the normal classroom, to be an example of correct dress. He became the focus by the "ruler" (teacher) because fo the enthusiastic way this young man adhered himself to the new rules and expectations of the new class regime. As spectators we witnessed the change as this outsider student became a part of his classmates and even a leader. A kid who no one would sit with or talk to became an advisor and leader of his peers. The effect on the student was evident. He now felt apart of the crowd and important. It was evident how easily the teacher could recruit faithful followers by appealing to a weakness or unfulfilled desire.
Even some parents as portrayed by one of the student's dad, jumped on the bandwagon because the outcomes produced seemed so positive. Boys that had never studied or done their homework, were now choosing studying and working over other activities. The results were so great, so great that they were too good to be true.
It took a mother to point out that instead of teaching history and allowing students to learn and think for themselves, this teacher was producing, non-thinking, robots. The mother's criticisms caused her daughter to see the events taking place in the classroom as curbing her freedom and ability to think and act as an individual. She awakened her daughter to what was really going on and the oppressive actions of the teacher. This student was a good student who often knew the right answers. When she tried to convince her classmates of the error of the direction the class was taking, it was shocking to see how even her closest friends turned on her. So thrilling was the idea that now they were as smart and important as she used to be, they were unwilling to give credit to anything she was saying.
The viewers of the movie observed how Hitler's methods appealed to so many people, their egos, their weaknesses causing them to be blind to his horrible acts. The participantes in the "cause" experienced first-hand how many of the Germans were probably entangled in Hitler's destructive designs. The movie was eye opening in showing how often what seems so positive and worthy of our support due to the effects immediately produced, can in actuality be oppressive, segregating in nature and, an infringement on our freedoms and rights to think, act, and govern ourselves. The interesting point that the teacher brought out in the end, was the human tendency to want to deny that they ever participated or made the decisions they did during their "Wave"experience. He expressed the hope that they would not forget or deny, but let their experience act as a deterrent to future participation in anything like it.
I will be ever grateful for being in class to watch and vicariously participate in the "Wave." It reminded me of how precious and fragile our freedoms are. We need to be vigilant in protecting our right to think and choose for ourselves according to our own conscience and not a collective, mob like mentality. It is important to be aware and awake to those hidden agendas that seem innocent, positive or equalizing, that are really binding and eventual bondage to a cause that goes against anything decent.
I don't even know if you can find a copy of this movie outside of the education community, but in my mind it is a movie worth finding and watching. I had an even better idea. Ask your teenager if they have seen the movie and how they felt about what happened.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Skin Care and Good Health
KINU is a product that I have fallen in love with. I was introduced to KINU when probiotics were recommended by my doctor due to an extended antibiotic prescription. The doctor said I needed to build up my immune system. I had no idea there were the extra benefits to my skin.
I have always believed that I need something more than outside care for the skin. I have found how to replenish my skin below the surface! KINU is a new dietary supplement that works on skin, hair and nails from the inside out. Help launch this dynamic new beauty product on your blog. Double digit commissions! Have beautiful skin and generate income! Try KINU Free today at http://www.kinu.us/ or become KINU Affiliate at www.kinu.us/affiliates.
I have always believed that I need something more than outside care for the skin. I have found how to replenish my skin below the surface! KINU is a new dietary supplement that works on skin, hair and nails from the inside out. Help launch this dynamic new beauty product on your blog. Double digit commissions! Have beautiful skin and generate income! Try KINU Free today at http://www.kinu.us/ or become KINU Affiliate at www.kinu.us/affiliates.
KINU Banners For Your Blog
The KINU Banners on this Blog are ones you can easily access from the KINU AFFILIATE Program at http://kinu.us/affiliates?a_aid=4a089864c9b55&a_bid=e5cbd09f. They can be placed in your blog with a few simple clicks and as a KINU AFFILIATE, all sales will be automatically tracked and credited to your account. Click on any one of these banners or the link above to find out more about being a KINU AFFILIATE or to try KINU yourself!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
