Bird Droppings April 6, 2010
Take just a moment

One of the biggest news stories back about three years ago during March Madness was the dethroning of a shock jock by his broadcasting company for slandering through his use of derogatory language. Thinking back I posted several notes on my graduate school discussion that night in which so coincidentally we were also addressing these issues through looking at such topics as Critical Race Theory and Critical Race Feminism. I used our local newspaper editor’s words. He spoke that we have the right to free speech but also the responsibility of the consequence. Thinking back since of late I have not been really happy with our local editor’ swords that was a rather powerful and far reaching comment and yet so true.

“If you fear making anyone mad, then you ultimately probe for the lowest common denominator of human achievement.” Jimmy Carter

So many of us my self included go at life trying not to upset people sometimes doing things that eventually will cause more pain in the future, perhaps than just getting it over with now. This morning I slept in a bit after I woke up I wanted to turn on my ceiling fan since I was a bit warm. I actually for a moment thought it was Saturday getting my days mixed up here on spring break and still no school and no plans and yes I could sleep till 8:30. But alas I had several things I did want to get done today including getting to the bank early and running several errands around town. I am generally the alarm clock for the household since traditionally I never sleep past 3:00 or so and most are counting on me to wake them up so today I was lazy.
I think cellular melt down occurred when I laid down last night after finishing my tax returns. Back to the subject at hand a starting quote by Jimmy Carter whom everyone was ready to get rid of as soon as his turn for reelection came up. I consider it funny of all our recent presidents going far back he rates highest on trust and believability. Why then did we as a nation want him out so bad to go back to men who eventually have one lurid story after another come out about them. Jimmy Carter it seems became more of a leader and president like figure after he was out of office and now out of politics all together.
Enough of the Jimmy Carter history lesson although his quote is pertinent for this discussion. We do so often seek to not make someone mad or hurt them and we keep secrets or tell half truths or out and out lie to “protect” them. In effect we are protecting ourselves usually using the cover of the other person’s feelings not getting hurt as an excuse. Jimmy Carter exemplifies trust to the world and to those here in the US. As I listen to students and teachers and others trust is such a frail commodity. It seems we all live in an ends justifies the means sort of mentality and I addressed this only a few days ago but it seems to be such a prevalent issue with us.
Last night reading over others posts and the numerous ones on facebook, it seems the thoughts and responses made mention several times example, of setting the example. It could be the example of the teacher, the attitude of the teacher and parents is where many children learn trust, morality and how to be a human being. A comment was made about how discipline by one person was ineffective and kids took advantage of it and then a comment was made about corporal punishment and how research shows it ineffective. Interesting and then how some folks use to much positive reinforcement that was a good one. So instead of telling me I am doing well ten times say it only once. Sort of the Simon Cowell approach, from American Idol, “I have to be mean it’s my job”.
So I though t which would I prefer ten congratulations or only one if all were sincere. I would take the ten always. A good example, children see other older children, parents, teachers, pastors, administrators, politicians and so many more each day and learn from them. “IF ONLY” we could go back change a word an action maybe that one child would be different. I always think back to a former student from 1976 who is serving three life sentences what if I had done anything different just slightly maybe his life and the lives of those he took would be different. Everyday we interact we can not go back and change events we can ask forgiveness apologize for ever but still what we do now is in concrete for ever.
So set an example become a trusted person and amazingly life does alter things and it will be different tomorrow

“Wherever life takes us, there are always moments of wonder.” Jimmy Carter

So today move forward in life seize the moment “carpe diem” as my former professor Dr. Tony Campolo would say and actually did title his book. Champion the cause of setting a great example and live the life and please keep all in harms way on your mind and in your hearts.
namaste
bird