Bird Droppings January 29, 2014 How do we know if we are still human? Perhaps it is from growing up in a situation where we were daily aware of special needs children and adults from the birth of my younger brother till his passing almost seventeen years ago. Those in my family have had connections…

Bird Droppings January 28, 2014 Counting knuckles On Monday a student asked what day of the month Friday would be and I responded January 31 and just as quick another said he thought it was the first. I said no it was the thirty first and he proceeded to count his knuckles, “a knuckle has…

Bird Droppings January 24, 2014 I think we Should be examining the threads of life? “Man did not weave the web of life he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” Chief Seattle, 1854 It has been a few years since I read a National Geographic…

Bird Droppings January 23, 2014 A wondering of the moment Nearly ten years ago I received this email from a dear friend. I met Frances when I was a new staff member at Loganville High School in 2001. Frances had been teaching English and had worked with our then principal at the time at a…

Bird Droppings January 22, 2014 It is in all the words we find On days when my wife is out of town I can go out and take sunrise photos and wander about as I do with few time restrictions. This past weekend sunrises were very subdued and I was able to sit and watch…

Bird Droppings January 21, 2014 Are you at the center of your universe? “Tung-shan was asked, ‘The normal mind is the way; what is the normal mind?’ He replied, ’Not picking things up along the road.’” From Teachings of Zen, edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998 One aspect of the Zen teachings is the process…

Bird Droppings January 19, 2014 Looking in a direction to start a morning “Beginnings start in the east – from where the sun rises we begin a new dawn. Each day is a good new day with a fresh beginning, a new start. East is the direction of the physical body and newness including children…

Bird Droppings January 17, 2014 Teasing “Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, and is it true, does it improve on the silence?” Hindu proverb So often I speak first and clean up afterwards many times simply walking away quiet generally leaving whoever I am conversing with confused and bewildered. Having…

Bird Droppings January 16, 2014 Trying to understand friendship Another cold day in Georgia and a near huge full moon last night and soon I get to head to school a bit early. Being out of synch from the past holiday an extra day for the weekend may not help. I generally start each morning…