My apologies to Haiku purists:
Simplicity is
A thought of five, seven, and
Five syllable lines
A simple life is
Not living within one’s mean
But meaningful life
Smile and share yourself
Say hello with joy and bring
Some rays of the Light
Joy is sharing life
With others who expect you
To just be yourself
Quaker grey was once
Simply worn, but uniforms
Now are denim blue
Praying is reaching
Out with open heart, reaching
In with open mind
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tower of Babel rewrite
I still am struggling with the darkness that is still with me. However, I have decided to resume blogging, but with a different premise that may help me get through the next few months.
I intend to share items that I have written previously, some from many years ago and some a little more recently. Some of these postings will be about education, many will be specifically related to Friends education. In some circumstances I may post these items in two other locations, quakerquaker.org Virtual Friends School group, as well as www.virtualfriendsschool.org.
In trying to help myself, and possibly others, I have tried to retell some Biblical stories in "current" situations. One of those attempts, still needing revision, is the story of the Tower of Babel ( Gen 11:1-9) Part of the irony of my retelling is that I promote the development of students' own discipline and to take responsibility for their own education. However, the danger of self-centeredness is always present when individuals are encouraged to develop their independence.
Once upon a time all of the students at the Babylonian Friends School were required to attend assemblies. These students wandered the hallways but eventually reached the auditorium and began to settle down. They said to each other "Come let us decide to do our important work for classes that is to be graded." Some of them even decided to talk to each other rather than listen to the assembly. "Come" they said "Let us each decide our own education. Let us each build our own group to serve our own needs as we see them right now. Our knowledge exceeds those who make the decisions in this school. Let us make a name for ourselves and control our own destiny, or they may even make us listen to other things or learn to discipline ourselves." Then the teachers recognized the age-old "I'm Number One," and the attitude the students had developed. They said, "Here they are in an assembly or meeting designed to bring them together and provide growth, and now they have started to put themselves above the assembly. Henceforward they will have a hard time deciding to not put themselves above anyone, including teachers, parents, and employers. So let us point out to them what happens when confusion controls the school and one group does not and in fact can not understand what other students or groups are saying. Let them see what happens when students and others do not have respect for each other. Let them see that individuals or groups who place themselves above others find it difficult, if not impossible, to communicate with the whole community. They find it easy to fall into the trap of prejudice against races, beliefs, religions, and people who are different than they are.
"Moral" Without prejudice and self-centeredness people can communicate and work together to build towers of learning that do reach higher than any of their expectations. However, with prejudice and self-centeredness, confusion holds sway and advancement becomes slowed, if not completely destroyed.
I intend to share items that I have written previously, some from many years ago and some a little more recently. Some of these postings will be about education, many will be specifically related to Friends education. In some circumstances I may post these items in two other locations, quakerquaker.org Virtual Friends School group, as well as www.virtualfriendsschool.org.
In trying to help myself, and possibly others, I have tried to retell some Biblical stories in "current" situations. One of those attempts, still needing revision, is the story of the Tower of Babel ( Gen 11:1-9) Part of the irony of my retelling is that I promote the development of students' own discipline and to take responsibility for their own education. However, the danger of self-centeredness is always present when individuals are encouraged to develop their independence.
Once upon a time all of the students at the Babylonian Friends School were required to attend assemblies. These students wandered the hallways but eventually reached the auditorium and began to settle down. They said to each other "Come let us decide to do our important work for classes that is to be graded." Some of them even decided to talk to each other rather than listen to the assembly. "Come" they said "Let us each decide our own education. Let us each build our own group to serve our own needs as we see them right now. Our knowledge exceeds those who make the decisions in this school. Let us make a name for ourselves and control our own destiny, or they may even make us listen to other things or learn to discipline ourselves." Then the teachers recognized the age-old "I'm Number One," and the attitude the students had developed. They said, "Here they are in an assembly or meeting designed to bring them together and provide growth, and now they have started to put themselves above the assembly. Henceforward they will have a hard time deciding to not put themselves above anyone, including teachers, parents, and employers. So let us point out to them what happens when confusion controls the school and one group does not and in fact can not understand what other students or groups are saying. Let them see what happens when students and others do not have respect for each other. Let them see that individuals or groups who place themselves above others find it difficult, if not impossible, to communicate with the whole community. They find it easy to fall into the trap of prejudice against races, beliefs, religions, and people who are different than they are.
"Moral" Without prejudice and self-centeredness people can communicate and work together to build towers of learning that do reach higher than any of their expectations. However, with prejudice and self-centeredness, confusion holds sway and advancement becomes slowed, if not completely destroyed.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Still Struggling
Although I have commented relatively frequently on other people's blogs or quakerquaker posts, I have not posted a blog here for quite a while.
A Cloud of darkness still remains that is created by barriers that truthfully are beyond my control. I still find the presence of an ocean of light in most of my life. My family and current friends continue to provide a great deal of support but are unable, through no fault of theirs, to penetrate the darkness. I have known periods of darkness that seem to be internal and have been identified as minor bouts of depression, but this experience is much different. The beginnings looked like the cloud of darkness might overtake me, but through the trust and help of fFriends and especially family (with a great deal of support and love from my "better half," and that is not just an idle comment) I am clearly able to maintain connection with love, trust, and hope.
I have been working on taking down barriers and making openings for the Light and the Word, but this has still not been able to break through into "that" corner of my life. It apparently will be several months before any resolution of this darkness can be accomplished.
I regret the vagueness and obscurity of this post but I am unable to be any clearer due to unavoidable restraints placed on my comments. It is my intent to share much more when I am able. I trust that when the time comes any one who has had communication with me and continues to communicate with me will understand.
I have no true comprehension of the reason for posting this but I felt led to do so.
Forgive me my trespasses.
In Peace and Friendship,
Tom
A Cloud of darkness still remains that is created by barriers that truthfully are beyond my control. I still find the presence of an ocean of light in most of my life. My family and current friends continue to provide a great deal of support but are unable, through no fault of theirs, to penetrate the darkness. I have known periods of darkness that seem to be internal and have been identified as minor bouts of depression, but this experience is much different. The beginnings looked like the cloud of darkness might overtake me, but through the trust and help of fFriends and especially family (with a great deal of support and love from my "better half," and that is not just an idle comment) I am clearly able to maintain connection with love, trust, and hope.
I have been working on taking down barriers and making openings for the Light and the Word, but this has still not been able to break through into "that" corner of my life. It apparently will be several months before any resolution of this darkness can be accomplished.
I regret the vagueness and obscurity of this post but I am unable to be any clearer due to unavoidable restraints placed on my comments. It is my intent to share much more when I am able. I trust that when the time comes any one who has had communication with me and continues to communicate with me will understand.
I have no true comprehension of the reason for posting this but I felt led to do so.
Forgive me my trespasses.
In Peace and Friendship,
Tom
Sunday, February 22, 2009
New Beginning
Within the last few weeks we have moved to Barnesville, Ohio in the Walton Retirement Home. The manner in which we made the connections to Walton certainly seem like true leadings. The time from preliminary inquiry to final decision was less than a month. We plan to make connections with Olney Friends School which is adjacent to Walton and to Stillwater Friends Meeting in Ohio Yearly Meeting Conservative.
There is still a major "cloud of darkness" which persists in my life, but it is with trust that we move forward with new surroundings. Walton is certainly simple by the standards of many Friends retirement places but we appreciate the simplicity and quietness which also provides an affordable place to live.
We have been spending a good deal of time in settling into our new location but I am feeling a renewed sense of involvement with Friends and my own Search. I hope to write a few posts from time to time.
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