This blog stems from me doing an assignment along with my students in my PDP (personal development profile) class. It's based on an NPR series called "This I Believe", which was begun by Edward R. Murrow in the 50's: click here to hear/read his original essay. The students, after hearing/reading several of the original and modern essays, must write and present in class one of their own. I also submit one. Here it is.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
Most everyone has heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” This is what I have come to believe. Life is full of negatives, but you have to focus on the positive, learn from it, have no regrets and move forward in life. There is a lot of negative energy out there and the positive is, often times, easily overshadowed. I believe that our task in life, in order to be sincerely happy and productive, is to seek out the positive in every situation, regardless, and make it your own.
Like the change of seasons, or the cycle of birth, growth and death, it is certain that life will give you lemons; therefore, expect it, accept it, and make the best of what life gives you. Lemons are bitter, but lemonade is refreshing. So, when faced with a bushel of lemons, do not delay; rather, ignore the artificial lemonades created from concentrate, powder, or a packet. Instead, face that problem directly, and make the freshly squeezed variety. No lemonade is as precious, as quenching, or as healthy as that which comes from freshly squeezing the lemons which we are given: process them, and internalize it.
This philosophy is one that has come to guide me throughout my life; it has kept me sane, kept me alive, kept me positive, and kept me growing. And, hopefully, it has allowed me to inspire others around me. The realization that I, personally, had the ability to create lemonade was imparted to me at a young age by one of my sage great-uncles who often said to me, over my shoulder, and usually during difficult situations: “Good attitude, good results. Bad attitude, bad results.” This really used to irritate me. I would much rather have been angry than really try to focus on the reality of those and every other situation. Indeed, things get difficult, they don’t always go the way we want, but there are alternatives. Therefore, as I grew, I began to contemplate his advice. I learned, through experience and reflection, that I benefit much more, as do those around me, from a positive attitude rather than from dwelling on the negative.
I believe that no matter how massively negative any situation may seem, there is always a positive hidden therein. I believe that it is our duty to ourselves and to others, if we truly want to live a happy and productive life, that we must extract the positive from that negative, take in those experiences, and make them a part of who we are in order to have a happier and healthier self. Therefore, when served lemons, extract the sweet nectar, drink it in, and thrive from its nutritious value. Don’t be daunted by its thick, course, and frustrating exterior.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned . . . (or so the blog-addicts say)
Finally!! a post!! (aka: random list of excuses & coping tactics)
Hola a mis queridos lectores pacientes,
pensaba escribiros en español para molestaros un poco, pero, es una mala idea. :-)
yah, so anyway, enough of that.
I've been *meaning* to write a blog for over . . . well, I guess a month now, it's been.
I feel REALLY bad that my good intentions have NEVER realized themselves. :-(
que malo amigo soy.
life has been good, but, similarly to you, very hectic as of late. Allow me to elaborate:
I had a good trip to NYC when I took the international students there for a 3 day weekend. The return trip was hampered slightly by the 5.5 hour stop-off in the Staten Island E.R., but, thankfully, she was not too serious and we arrived home at 4 a.m. the next day.
Then 2.5 days of crammed work so that I could entertain my grandmother and aunt (however, ever so happily done) during their 3.5 day visit. Their stay was AMAZING and we had a WONDERFUL time. It was truly a blessed trip because we had FANTASTIC weather, a bit chilly, but I've not seen the mountains so clear, so consistently, for quite some time. Grandma also got to see Shipshewana, IN (an Amish town) on the way down, and, returning home, they stopped near Cleveland to see her only living sister. She was very tired and slept quite a lot their first day home, but, for 92, it's amazing, nonetheless, that she made the trip and was able to do so much while here.
Next, back to work, where we've had a pre-registration period. I had duties as "big brother" with Sam (I volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters), and, of course, catch-up in classes from everything previously, currently, and preparations for the near future. The cycle never ends. Thank GOD for summers!!
I've been meaning, wanting and hoping to write you (since you've messaged and sounded down-and-out in your message - PLUS, just to inform you on things), but I've really only been home late at night, and that is usually with a stack of grading and/or tests to write. I do have a bit of personal time, usually after 10 pm. when I have/take a break to walk the dog in the 30-35 degree weather - that's fun!! ;-)
however, while laptops are portable, they're not *that* portable. So, this doesn't really ever seem to work out either. :-/
I hate that this blog seems like a bunch of inflated excuses, but it's really the truth and all that I have to offer for my lousy attempt at being a good blogger/friend/communicator. Yet, an attempt at self-defense, yesterday, I was AT work and fully occupied (except for 1 hour of aquaerobics) from 9:15-9:45 as in 12.5 hours, not 1/2 an hour. >8-D
then, today, i had to be back at 9 for a dept. meeting. now I have a small break before class so I decided to use part of it to give you a MUCH OVER DUE entry (aka: excuse list).
This Saturday, like the last, is going to be quite full as well, so I don't even seem to have my weekends to me any more. It's crazy. But, it's "Parents' Weekend" at work and so I have to come to the open house in the a.m. to meet those who care enough to check-up on their college students. After, I have agreed to help the Senior Class fund raise for their senior gift to the college. For $1 you can throw a whipped-cream pie at my face. Perhaps justifiable revenge for lack of blogging?
Onor near the same page, I know, from your communications (which is more than I've given you) that you've been a very busy beaver with work related things too. Yet, you can blog.
Now, I know what you might say, so, DON'T! It isn't enough that I'm busy and that I have these things going on, I could still take the time required for at MINIMUM a quick blog or blog comment of interest, wit, support, or encouragement. Yet, I haven't even taken the time to write you any typically harrassing commentary.
This can be explained as one of my biggest problems. Instead of just doing the minimal task as it arises, I accumulate several related tasks and say that I will do them all at once when I can take the time to deal with it properly and give it the attention that it deserves. THEN, as it grows, I say that I don't have the necessary time to do ALL of THAT right now, so I put it off until I can give it the time and attention that it deserves and do it properly (redundancy is for emphasis on true feelings toward said task). Before I know it, 2 weeks have passed and I've done nothing, THEN, in addition to the unfulfilled tasks, I feel guilty for the negligence.
Well, my "entry" is getting a bit too lengthy, which wouldn't really matter except that I'm running out of time before I have to go and teach. HOWEVER, I do want to make a suggestion or two or three or . . . , before I sign off (since I'm not really good at constant communications >:-)~ ), as to how you might deal with my infrequent entries
.
I'll enumerate them in hopes of getting them out in time, and being clear . . .
1) remember to breathe, seriously. It helps SO much. I remind myself often.
2) remember that I do care, & I am here; especially for the really important things. My phone number is the same.
3) exercise: I know that you've done it in the past, but I don't know about now. I walk with the dog, daily, at least a mile or 2. I've lost a bit of weight and feel better about myself, EVEN when I'm TOO tired and don't want to go, even when it's raining lightly and I HATE being wet. It makes a HUGE difference for her and for me.
4) water exercise: I don't know if it's an option or what the availability is, but I know that my twice weekly aquaerobics has an amazingly wonderful physical, emotional, and spiritual healing/renewal effect on me. From here we could get into the whole Freudian water/womb-mother/nurturing-safe place, but let's not just now. :-)
5) remember to breathe, seriously. It helps so much. I remind myself often and feel it's instantaneous calming/healing effects.
6) vent to me on email. Let me know what you REALLY think. who knows, it may just prompt me to blog in order to rectify the situation or to console you.
7) take time for yourself, REGARDLESS. I remember being at UAM and overwhelming myself and LITERALLY waking up short of breath, daily, and feeling as if there was an oppressive black cloud over my head and a weight on my chest. Simply rising from bed was a serious chore. FINALLY, after consultation about this with a colleague, who was looking equally as beleaguered, we determined the source, too much work, no "ME" time, AND we vowed to one another to hold ourselves to the oath that we would make Saturdays, "ME" days. It made a remarkable and immediate difference. I don't always get the entire day, but a portion of it, and I REFUSE to allow myself to feel guilty about it!!! I NEED IT!!! It makes me a better person, teacher, friend, being.
Just some ideas for now.
More later.
Gotta go harrass my class.
muchos besos y abrazos!!
--ch--
Hola a mis queridos lectores pacientes,
pensaba escribiros en español para molestaros un poco, pero, es una mala idea. :-)
yah, so anyway, enough of that.
I've been *meaning* to write a blog for over . . . well, I guess a month now, it's been.
I feel REALLY bad that my good intentions have NEVER realized themselves. :-(
que malo amigo soy.
life has been good, but, similarly to you, very hectic as of late. Allow me to elaborate:
I had a good trip to NYC when I took the international students there for a 3 day weekend. The return trip was hampered slightly by the 5.5 hour stop-off in the Staten Island E.R., but, thankfully, she was not too serious and we arrived home at 4 a.m. the next day.
Then 2.5 days of crammed work so that I could entertain my grandmother and aunt (however, ever so happily done) during their 3.5 day visit. Their stay was AMAZING and we had a WONDERFUL time. It was truly a blessed trip because we had FANTASTIC weather, a bit chilly, but I've not seen the mountains so clear, so consistently, for quite some time. Grandma also got to see Shipshewana, IN (an Amish town) on the way down, and, returning home, they stopped near Cleveland to see her only living sister. She was very tired and slept quite a lot their first day home, but, for 92, it's amazing, nonetheless, that she made the trip and was able to do so much while here.
Next, back to work, where we've had a pre-registration period. I had duties as "big brother" with Sam (I volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters), and, of course, catch-up in classes from everything previously, currently, and preparations for the near future. The cycle never ends. Thank GOD for summers!!
I've been meaning, wanting and hoping to write you (since you've messaged and sounded down-and-out in your message - PLUS, just to inform you on things), but I've really only been home late at night, and that is usually with a stack of grading and/or tests to write. I do have a bit of personal time, usually after 10 pm. when I have/take a break to walk the dog in the 30-35 degree weather - that's fun!! ;-)
however, while laptops are portable, they're not *that* portable. So, this doesn't really ever seem to work out either. :-/
I hate that this blog seems like a bunch of inflated excuses, but it's really the truth and all that I have to offer for my lousy attempt at being a good blogger/friend/communicator. Yet, an attempt at self-defense, yesterday, I was AT work and fully occupied (except for 1 hour of aquaerobics) from 9:15-9:45 as in 12.5 hours, not 1/2 an hour. >8-D
then, today, i had to be back at 9 for a dept. meeting. now I have a small break before class so I decided to use part of it to give you a MUCH OVER DUE entry (aka: excuse list).
This Saturday, like the last, is going to be quite full as well, so I don't even seem to have my weekends to me any more. It's crazy. But, it's "Parents' Weekend" at work and so I have to come to the open house in the a.m. to meet those who care enough to check-up on their college students. After, I have agreed to help the Senior Class fund raise for their senior gift to the college. For $1 you can throw a whipped-cream pie at my face. Perhaps justifiable revenge for lack of blogging?
Onor near the same page, I know, from your communications (which is more than I've given you) that you've been a very busy beaver with work related things too. Yet, you can blog.
Now, I know what you might say, so, DON'T! It isn't enough that I'm busy and that I have these things going on, I could still take the time required for at MINIMUM a quick blog or blog comment of interest, wit, support, or encouragement. Yet, I haven't even taken the time to write you any typically harrassing commentary.
This can be explained as one of my biggest problems. Instead of just doing the minimal task as it arises, I accumulate several related tasks and say that I will do them all at once when I can take the time to deal with it properly and give it the attention that it deserves. THEN, as it grows, I say that I don't have the necessary time to do ALL of THAT right now, so I put it off until I can give it the time and attention that it deserves and do it properly (redundancy is for emphasis on true feelings toward said task). Before I know it, 2 weeks have passed and I've done nothing, THEN, in addition to the unfulfilled tasks, I feel guilty for the negligence.
Well, my "entry" is getting a bit too lengthy, which wouldn't really matter except that I'm running out of time before I have to go and teach. HOWEVER, I do want to make a suggestion or two or three or . . . , before I sign off (since I'm not really good at constant communications >:-)~ ), as to how you might deal with my infrequent entries
.
I'll enumerate them in hopes of getting them out in time, and being clear . . .
1) remember to breathe, seriously. It helps SO much. I remind myself often.
2) remember that I do care, & I am here; especially for the really important things. My phone number is the same.
3) exercise: I know that you've done it in the past, but I don't know about now. I walk with the dog, daily, at least a mile or 2. I've lost a bit of weight and feel better about myself, EVEN when I'm TOO tired and don't want to go, even when it's raining lightly and I HATE being wet. It makes a HUGE difference for her and for me.
4) water exercise: I don't know if it's an option or what the availability is, but I know that my twice weekly aquaerobics has an amazingly wonderful physical, emotional, and spiritual healing/renewal effect on me. From here we could get into the whole Freudian water/womb-mother/nurturing-safe place, but let's not just now. :-)
5) remember to breathe, seriously. It helps so much. I remind myself often and feel it's instantaneous calming/healing effects.
6) vent to me on email. Let me know what you REALLY think. who knows, it may just prompt me to blog in order to rectify the situation or to console you.
7) take time for yourself, REGARDLESS. I remember being at UAM and overwhelming myself and LITERALLY waking up short of breath, daily, and feeling as if there was an oppressive black cloud over my head and a weight on my chest. Simply rising from bed was a serious chore. FINALLY, after consultation about this with a colleague, who was looking equally as beleaguered, we determined the source, too much work, no "ME" time, AND we vowed to one another to hold ourselves to the oath that we would make Saturdays, "ME" days. It made a remarkable and immediate difference. I don't always get the entire day, but a portion of it, and I REFUSE to allow myself to feel guilty about it!!! I NEED IT!!! It makes me a better person, teacher, friend, being.
Just some ideas for now.
More later.
Gotta go harrass my class.
muchos besos y abrazos!!
--ch--
Thursday, September 14, 2006
"Walking on Sunshine", I wish.
Ok, well, today marks the 5th day in a row that we have had unseasonably cold weather, semi-persistent precipitation and NO sun. I feel like I'm living back in Northern Michigan. Summer came to an abrupt end this past Saturday evening. It was quite a shock after having gone to the BC soccer game with my "lil' bro", Sam, and sweating a lot - which, obviously, required ice cream afterward.
Anyway, the next day we skipped any seasonal transition and went right into late autumn. This, mind you, is not a bad thing. We had a pretty hot summer (Arkansans, hush, I left there partially to escape the unbearable heat, so I *know* how hot it is there as compared to here) for Shenandoah Valley standards, thus the cold isn't the issue as much as the cloudiness.
In fact, this morning driving to work and having to occasionally use my wipers to clear off the spittle that was infrequently coming down (reminded me of a conversation with Wegley!! HA!! kidding!!). I thought to myself, "It's no wonder I'm so tired and it seems so difficult getting going this morning, it's been 5 days with no sun!" Now, that is one thing (of many) that I liked about Arkansas, and, for the most part, Virginia, the amount of sunny days. I never really realized until I had them, just HOW much sun makes one feel better.
I know that this post is kind of random, but . . . guess what??? WE HAVE SUN!!! It made a much needed reappearance about an hour ago!! Consequently, my attitude is much better about all of the papers that I have to grade and committee work that I have coming due. I wasn't planning to post anything today, but when the sun came out, my spirit, much like the clouds, lifted and opened. It's interesting how much natural occurrences such as these can actually have a physical and/or psychological effect on us.
So, yah, I thought I'd say so.
p.s. I think that it also helps knowing that it's nearly the weekend. As well, I'm going to see a Cajun group perform on Friday night, they're called Beau Soleil (Beautiful Sun) - - Coincidence, or not!?!?! ;-)~
Ok, well, today marks the 5th day in a row that we have had unseasonably cold weather, semi-persistent precipitation and NO sun. I feel like I'm living back in Northern Michigan. Summer came to an abrupt end this past Saturday evening. It was quite a shock after having gone to the BC soccer game with my "lil' bro", Sam, and sweating a lot - which, obviously, required ice cream afterward.
Anyway, the next day we skipped any seasonal transition and went right into late autumn. This, mind you, is not a bad thing. We had a pretty hot summer (Arkansans, hush, I left there partially to escape the unbearable heat, so I *know* how hot it is there as compared to here) for Shenandoah Valley standards, thus the cold isn't the issue as much as the cloudiness.
In fact, this morning driving to work and having to occasionally use my wipers to clear off the spittle that was infrequently coming down (reminded me of a conversation with Wegley!! HA!! kidding!!). I thought to myself, "It's no wonder I'm so tired and it seems so difficult getting going this morning, it's been 5 days with no sun!" Now, that is one thing (of many) that I liked about Arkansas, and, for the most part, Virginia, the amount of sunny days. I never really realized until I had them, just HOW much sun makes one feel better.
I know that this post is kind of random, but . . . guess what??? WE HAVE SUN!!! It made a much needed reappearance about an hour ago!! Consequently, my attitude is much better about all of the papers that I have to grade and committee work that I have coming due. I wasn't planning to post anything today, but when the sun came out, my spirit, much like the clouds, lifted and opened. It's interesting how much natural occurrences such as these can actually have a physical and/or psychological effect on us.
So, yah, I thought I'd say so.
p.s. I think that it also helps knowing that it's nearly the weekend. As well, I'm going to see a Cajun group perform on Friday night, they're called Beau Soleil (Beautiful Sun) - - Coincidence, or not!?!?! ;-)~
Monday, September 11, 2006
We all have a "first".
Ok, this is my first post.
I was drawn to this site by Mark & Angela and their insistence that I come and see. Come and see pictures of their wonderful children who have adopted me as "Uncle Charlie" and whom I've greatly missed since my move from SEArk to the Shenandoah Valley 2.25 years ago. I love the title and I love being a part of their family!
Anyway, for the past several months I have enjoyed reading their blogs (a word about which I am less than thrilled), heckling them with my typically snide remarks, and, on occasion, praising them for their insight and honesty. Due to my pestering, Angela even busted me out with a photo and surprisingly kind description. This, perhaps, to prod me into doing a blog; unsuccessfully so. Finally I noticed a comment on one of Angela's site from "The Zoo Keeper" and it lead me to Valerie's site (which I didn't know existed until my investigations). Wanting to bolster her hard work, I had to comment. However, it wouldn't allow me to post unless I had an account - intelligent safety setting. Therefore, I succumbed to their temptations and signed up in order to comment. For this reason alone, I did it without much hesitation.
I had decided that I wasn't going to post anything myself, basically because I'm not into the idea of putting my thoughts out there to be critiqued. Nonetheless, I am here. I've decided to post because last Wednesday, the 6th of September, I was lucky enough to be invited to a dinner with documentary film maker Heather Courtney. Coincidentally, she grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; a fellow homelander. As part of our "Convocation series" at Bridgewater College, where I teach Spanish & French, there was a showing of her documentary "Letters from the Other Side". I have to believe that nearly everyone there experienced a VERY moving event.
Fortunately for me, this film was very a propos as I teach a class at Bridgewater called, PDP 150. It's a freshmen required course in which they're taught transistional skills from high school to college and, most important, the skills of critical thinking, reading, and writing. This is the initiation to a career-long process of the Personal Development Program at BC. My approach, or theme for the class, if you will, is to always know the other side of anyone or any issue before making any judgement. I believe that we can only truly have understanding by experiencing, to some degree or another, what others go through before we can criticize. This film fits perfectly into my approach. It demonstrates, via a series of video letters, over a period of a year plus, how the illegal immigration issue affects families on both sides of the border. It's **very** well done, quite powerful and delivers a clear, unbiased message. I encourage you to see it. Arkansans who may be reading this, I know that she is showing her film at the Hot Springs film festival in October. Perhaps, if you can't make it there, Mark can use his powerful persuasion techniques to have it brought to UAM as part of HSFF's outreach to SEARK.
Ok, this is my first post.
I was drawn to this site by Mark & Angela and their insistence that I come and see. Come and see pictures of their wonderful children who have adopted me as "Uncle Charlie" and whom I've greatly missed since my move from SEArk to the Shenandoah Valley 2.25 years ago. I love the title and I love being a part of their family!
Anyway, for the past several months I have enjoyed reading their blogs (a word about which I am less than thrilled), heckling them with my typically snide remarks, and, on occasion, praising them for their insight and honesty. Due to my pestering, Angela even busted me out with a photo and surprisingly kind description. This, perhaps, to prod me into doing a blog; unsuccessfully so. Finally I noticed a comment on one of Angela's site from "The Zoo Keeper" and it lead me to Valerie's site (which I didn't know existed until my investigations). Wanting to bolster her hard work, I had to comment. However, it wouldn't allow me to post unless I had an account - intelligent safety setting. Therefore, I succumbed to their temptations and signed up in order to comment. For this reason alone, I did it without much hesitation.
I had decided that I wasn't going to post anything myself, basically because I'm not into the idea of putting my thoughts out there to be critiqued. Nonetheless, I am here. I've decided to post because last Wednesday, the 6th of September, I was lucky enough to be invited to a dinner with documentary film maker Heather Courtney. Coincidentally, she grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; a fellow homelander. As part of our "Convocation series" at Bridgewater College, where I teach Spanish & French, there was a showing of her documentary "Letters from the Other Side". I have to believe that nearly everyone there experienced a VERY moving event.
Fortunately for me, this film was very a propos as I teach a class at Bridgewater called, PDP 150. It's a freshmen required course in which they're taught transistional skills from high school to college and, most important, the skills of critical thinking, reading, and writing. This is the initiation to a career-long process of the Personal Development Program at BC. My approach, or theme for the class, if you will, is to always know the other side of anyone or any issue before making any judgement. I believe that we can only truly have understanding by experiencing, to some degree or another, what others go through before we can criticize. This film fits perfectly into my approach. It demonstrates, via a series of video letters, over a period of a year plus, how the illegal immigration issue affects families on both sides of the border. It's **very** well done, quite powerful and delivers a clear, unbiased message. I encourage you to see it. Arkansans who may be reading this, I know that she is showing her film at the Hot Springs film festival in October. Perhaps, if you can't make it there, Mark can use his powerful persuasion techniques to have it brought to UAM as part of HSFF's outreach to SEARK.
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