It all begins with thoughts. . .
Words from my Journal:
8/31/10 "Ten @ 10. . . doesn't that even just sound lovely. So, I figure if I can't squeeze in other time for the journal during the day, 10 minutes @ 10pm sounds good. An easy reminder for relfection @ some point during an ever-active day."
*Note: The "ten minutes at ten" concept was well-intentioned but not realized. I found myself writing in the journal whenever my muse or some other unique person/event influenced my pen. . . or pencil. . . or crayon for that matter. . . to scribble something in my notebook. There was never a set destination for journal submission either. I Just went with the flow of my thoughts and transferred them into words wherever I felt the desire.
9/1 "The unexpected 'Thank you." Why is it that even the simplest words or actions can catch us off guard. Like, whoa, she/he actually held the door for me or like she just picked up someone else's trash. . . Are we really becoming a culture or generation where generosity becomes a double-head turner or pause and ponder moment? Thats just a tad disturbing. . . . And when that rather unexpected 'Thank you' does come your way (after picking up a food wrapper) what a pleasant surprise!" :)
*When we make mistakes, they seem to be the first compent of ourself acknowledged whether by direct critisism or unverbalized discontent. Yet, when we are praised for some good deed or accomplishment, we are taken back and made to feel a tad guilty of our success. When will praise coexist with critism. . . whenever the receiver appreciates the feedback as an opportunity to grow and praise as extra incentive to continue learning.
9/14 Sayings from a few:
"Do your best at what you can control & don't worry about what you can't. The difficult part is realizing the difference between the two." - Me
"Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere." - Dad
"The objective of teachers isn't to teach students to think, but to realize themselves when they are thinking." - Sam Watson, guest speaker
*Once we change our concept of education, particularyly personal and academic growth through events of expression such as writing, we can begin to focus our thoughts more on the postive components of learning and less on the negative worry-forming aspects. . . such as the red pen.
. . . Then comes the "RedViSiOn". . .
The most often feared teaching tool - the red correction pen - that bleeds through some assignments and administers "A+" to others should be loved not loathed. The red marks show the grader/teacher cares enough to tell you where you need to improve. Like a soccer/basketball coach who makes you run the extra suicide spriints after practice; teachers if they correct and revise an entry want you to work harder. They realize your potential, even if you just see the bleeding marks or wait for the last sprint whistle to be blown.
However daunting it may appear. . .
Self-revised scientific journal entry
SAY YES to THESE ------->
Cheesey Advise:
1. Without the red,
it won't be
"ready."
2. Don't feel scared,
see the red
& feel
better prepared.
. . . Final Draft Finale!
The following page "Narrative Essay" is to a personal account regarding the "vision" of my priorities learned through an outdoor leadership session I experienced backpacking the Absoroka Mountain range in Wyoming for 25 days this past summer. I cannot begin to describe my appreciation for this NOLS adventure.
Check out their website if you are interested after reading a glimpse of my own experience:
http://www.nols.edu/
I hope you enjoy your own adventures in life. . . wherever they may take you :)
