It's back-to-school time and our house has been in a frenzy getting ready. I have been in school as a student/teacher/volunteer for all of my life,minus my first 4 years. At this time of year,I'm programmed to buy back-to-school supplies,throw up some bulletin boards, fill out my lesson plan book or school calendar, and learn or teach something!
Besides getting our daughter ready for another session at the Physical Therapy school at KU Med, we got our son ready to study a semester abroad in Brazil. (See Caring for Kids and Others for more details and a big lesson I'm learning!) I also try to get major projects done before school starts(a long-time habit from when I was teaching full-time) Our lives have been full of applying for Visas, packing clothes,making sand hill plum jelly, gardening, freezing peaches, defrosting the freezer, taking off wallpaper and painting the basement, and steam cleaning the carpets. We've also been blessed to attend several weddings--with more to come!(One of our friends called it "the summer of love.")
Whether you're sending students off across the state or world like me, to your local school,or home schooling, we all need to remember how important it is to keep learning!
One of my favorite quotes is from Oliver Wendell Holmes, the former U.S. Supreme Court Justice. He said something like this: A mind stretched to new ideas never returns to its original size.
I find that where learning is concerned, this is so true.
Sometimes all this learning, or stretching of my mind can be painful--it just makes my head hurt. For example, I always wanted to study astonomy in college, but never had time. I bought a book and it literally opened new worlds (or galaxies!)to me--and stretched my mind way out of shape. Did you know that the closest star to earth is Sirius, the "tag" of the constellation called Big Dog? It takes 8.5 light years for the light from this closest star to reach us. Some stars are over 200 times the size of the sun and light can be travleing through God's space for over 600 years to reach us!! Stars can be burned out yet their light is still reaching us!It just hurt my brain to try to comprehend how amazing the universe is that God created!!(Please pass the aspirin.) Talk about a big God!!
What really stretches my mind is reading about God in His word... what He has done for us, and wants to do through us. (when we abide in His Son,Jesus Christ). Talk about mind-blowing! The thing is,it stretches my ideas and hurts to know how far off the mark I am. It also is painful to have to re-adjust my thinking in a lot of ways--that putting self last thing, the call to serve others,the forgiveness and love everyone no matter what deals--ouch!!! The funny thing is, when we can actually wrap our mind around those and manage to practice one or two--the world is amazed and thinks we're out of our minds!!
One of my favorite quotes is from Oliver Wendell Holmes, the former U.S. Supreme Court Justice. He said something like this: A mind stretched to new ideas never returns to its original size.
I find that where learning is concerned, this is so true.
Sometimes all this learning, or stretching of my mind can be painful--it just makes my head hurt. For example, I always wanted to study astonomy in college, but never had time. I bought a book and it literally opened new worlds (or galaxies!)to me--and stretched my mind way out of shape. Did you know that the closest star to earth is Sirius, the "tag" of the constellation called Big Dog? It takes 8.5 light years for the light from this closest star to reach us. Some stars are over 200 times the size of the sun and light can be travleing through God's space for over 600 years to reach us!! Stars can be burned out yet their light is still reaching us!It just hurt my brain to try to comprehend how amazing the universe is that God created!!(Please pass the aspirin.) Talk about a big God!!
What really stretches my mind is reading about God in His word... what He has done for us, and wants to do through us. (when we abide in His Son,Jesus Christ). Talk about mind-blowing! The thing is,it stretches my ideas and hurts to know how far off the mark I am. It also is painful to have to re-adjust my thinking in a lot of ways--that putting self last thing, the call to serve others,the forgiveness and love everyone no matter what deals--ouch!!! The funny thing is, when we can actually wrap our mind around those and manage to practice one or two--the world is amazed and thinks we're out of our minds!!
All the more reason to contemplate Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."
No doubt about it, reading God's word will definitely stretch our minds--and hopefully change our minds,hearts and actions.
As a teacher, I'm all about learning and renewing our minds.
I read once that the best thing a mother can do for her family is to keep learning. Learning can keep you young--and your mind young as well. Keep those synapses firing--do and learn things that are completely new to you!
Be an example of learning--try some of these ideas:
-memorize scripture, your family will see your intent to hide God's words in your heart
-learn a new language, or brush up on an old one--I had flash cards in Portugese all over our house for our son to learn key words(baneiros-bathroom)for his trip to Brazil. I also bought a French CD at a thrift store to refresh my memory.(Most of what I remember from Mrs. Teel's high school french class is the picture of the cute guy in front of a chateau--which led to daydreaming instead of serious language study!)(Bonjour,Jean-Claude!)
-read a variety of books--fiction, biographies,historical, how-to,travel,etc. I've learned so many different things from doing this--and its free!! Check out movies and audio books,too. My daughter got me into the audio books--she listens on her commutes. I'm putting my French CD in the car when I'm traveling now.
-Learn a new skill--check out a web site or book--try something new, be it new recipes, fix-it skills, herbs for your windowsill, knitting,crocheting,sewing. Again,I saw a how-to-knit book with some needles and yarn at a thrift store and thought, "why not?" One of these days I'll try knitting something!!
-study a foreign place--pour over maps,learn about the lifestyles, prepare food,learn some of the language. (If I keep boning up on my French cooking terms, I'll go see Julie and Juliet!
So, there's your homework--stretch those brain cells! It's good for you! Class dismissed.
As a teacher, I'm all about learning and renewing our minds.
I read once that the best thing a mother can do for her family is to keep learning. Learning can keep you young--and your mind young as well. Keep those synapses firing--do and learn things that are completely new to you!
Be an example of learning--try some of these ideas:
-memorize scripture, your family will see your intent to hide God's words in your heart
-learn a new language, or brush up on an old one--I had flash cards in Portugese all over our house for our son to learn key words(baneiros-bathroom)for his trip to Brazil. I also bought a French CD at a thrift store to refresh my memory.(Most of what I remember from Mrs. Teel's high school french class is the picture of the cute guy in front of a chateau--which led to daydreaming instead of serious language study!)(Bonjour,Jean-Claude!)
-read a variety of books--fiction, biographies,historical, how-to,travel,etc. I've learned so many different things from doing this--and its free!! Check out movies and audio books,too. My daughter got me into the audio books--she listens on her commutes. I'm putting my French CD in the car when I'm traveling now.
-Learn a new skill--check out a web site or book--try something new, be it new recipes, fix-it skills, herbs for your windowsill, knitting,crocheting,sewing. Again,I saw a how-to-knit book with some needles and yarn at a thrift store and thought, "why not?" One of these days I'll try knitting something!!
-study a foreign place--pour over maps,learn about the lifestyles, prepare food,learn some of the language. (If I keep boning up on my French cooking terms, I'll go see Julie and Juliet!
So, there's your homework--stretch those brain cells! It's good for you! Class dismissed.
No comments:
Post a Comment