A Fence or an Ambulance - a poem about prevention by Joseph Malins (1895)
'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Through to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
"For the cliff is all right, if you're careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down before when they're stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked, "It's a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they'd much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley."
"Oh he's a fanatic," the others rejoined,
"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could'
No! No! We'll support them forever.
Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?"
But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists daily,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Monday, October 28, 2019
The purpose of education - think for yourself!
"The supreme lesson of education is to think for yourself; absent this attainment, education creates dangerous, stupefying conformity."
~Bryant McGill, thought leader, international bestseller, activist
The majority of schools throughout the United States currently teach you what to think. But as the years have passed from the early 1800s to the present time, there has been a decline in the type of people in society. And one of the causes of that is what is being taught as curriculum.
Prior to the 1960s, curriculum in the schools consisted of studying from the classics such as Shakespeare, original writings from philosophers, scientists, the great thinkers of the Western world, and our Founding Fathers. And these writings were discussed. Observations and opinions from readings were shared. And great thinking took place. I like that. And I believe this gives a greater insight into human nature and promotes the ability for each individual to think for themselves instead of being sheep blindly led to a black abyss of conformity and feelings of entitlement.
~Bryant McGill, thought leader, international bestseller, activist
The majority of schools throughout the United States currently teach you what to think. But as the years have passed from the early 1800s to the present time, there has been a decline in the type of people in society. And one of the causes of that is what is being taught as curriculum.
Prior to the 1960s, curriculum in the schools consisted of studying from the classics such as Shakespeare, original writings from philosophers, scientists, the great thinkers of the Western world, and our Founding Fathers. And these writings were discussed. Observations and opinions from readings were shared. And great thinking took place. I like that. And I believe this gives a greater insight into human nature and promotes the ability for each individual to think for themselves instead of being sheep blindly led to a black abyss of conformity and feelings of entitlement.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
You Tube video: John Taylor Gatto - 01 The Elite Private Boarding Schools
14 Things Private Schools Do (curriculum)
1. No child should graduate without a theory of human nature (understand what makes people tick). This comes history, philosophy, theology, literature, and law.
2. Every graduate have a strong experience with the active literacy: writing an public speaking - writing and speaking well! after regular opportunity to speak (ability to speak your mind in public forums)
3. Insight into major institutional forms such as courts, corporations, military including details into the ideas that drive them.
4. Repeated exercises in forms of good manners and politeness. Politeness and civility is the foundation of all future relationships and alliance.
5. Independent work students are expected to do most of the work.
6. Energetic physical sports are the only way to confer grace on the human presence, not just a luxury or a place to blow off steam. That grace translates into power and money later in life. Ex: For George Washington two things were chosen for him because of commanding presence - horseback riding and ballroom dancing. Sports teach you practice, handling pain, and handling emergencies
7. Complete theory of access to any work place or any person. Ex: work with a mayor of a city INSTEAD of reading civics textbook! Access places and people that students want or need.
8. Responsibility!! Ex: Take care of horse, do important community service, be a leader of club, etc. Always grab of leadership position and deliver more than is expected.
9. Have a personal code of standard - in production, in behavior, in morality <-- This is ongoing and always needs to be checked.
10. Familiarity with the master creations in music, painting, dance, sculpture, designs, architecture, literature, and drama, to be at ease with the arts. Apart from religion, arts is a way to transcend animal aspect from our lives to get in touch with the bigger you.
11. Power of accurate observations and recording. Ex: drawing is a way to sharpen the perception!
12. Ability to deal with challenges of all sorts. To know what will challenge a student means you have to know them very well. One person's challenge is another person's ho-hum. Ex: shyness <--give public presentations. If knocked down always get back up.
13. Habit of caution in reasoning to conclusions.
14. Constant development and testing of judgment: make judgments, discriminate value and follow up on predictions. See if it's consistently or not.
1. No child should graduate without a theory of human nature (understand what makes people tick). This comes history, philosophy, theology, literature, and law.
2. Every graduate have a strong experience with the active literacy: writing an public speaking - writing and speaking well! after regular opportunity to speak (ability to speak your mind in public forums)
3. Insight into major institutional forms such as courts, corporations, military including details into the ideas that drive them.
4. Repeated exercises in forms of good manners and politeness. Politeness and civility is the foundation of all future relationships and alliance.
5. Independent work students are expected to do most of the work.
6. Energetic physical sports are the only way to confer grace on the human presence, not just a luxury or a place to blow off steam. That grace translates into power and money later in life. Ex: For George Washington two things were chosen for him because of commanding presence - horseback riding and ballroom dancing. Sports teach you practice, handling pain, and handling emergencies
7. Complete theory of access to any work place or any person. Ex: work with a mayor of a city INSTEAD of reading civics textbook! Access places and people that students want or need.
8. Responsibility!! Ex: Take care of horse, do important community service, be a leader of club, etc. Always grab of leadership position and deliver more than is expected.
9. Have a personal code of standard - in production, in behavior, in morality <-- This is ongoing and always needs to be checked.
10. Familiarity with the master creations in music, painting, dance, sculpture, designs, architecture, literature, and drama, to be at ease with the arts. Apart from religion, arts is a way to transcend animal aspect from our lives to get in touch with the bigger you.
11. Power of accurate observations and recording. Ex: drawing is a way to sharpen the perception!
12. Ability to deal with challenges of all sorts. To know what will challenge a student means you have to know them very well. One person's challenge is another person's ho-hum. Ex: shyness <--give public presentations. If knocked down always get back up.
13. Habit of caution in reasoning to conclusions.
14. Constant development and testing of judgment: make judgments, discriminate value and follow up on predictions. See if it's consistently or not.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Quotes on Standing Up for Right
I believe it's time to put principles above parties! Remain neutral? No! Sit idly by? No! Let others speak for me? No! Don't tread on me!
"The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be...The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Those who prefer the 'tranquility of servitude' had best be prepared to 'crouch down and lick the hands which feed you...' May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.: ~ Samuel Adams
"This world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do bad things but because of those who look on and do nothing." ~Albert Einstein
Many sacrifices were made to allow the citizens of the United States of America to have freedom. But slowly and apathetically our rights are being taken away. How enslaved do you want to become?
"The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be...The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Those who prefer the 'tranquility of servitude' had best be prepared to 'crouch down and lick the hands which feed you...' May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.: ~ Samuel Adams
"This world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do bad things but because of those who look on and do nothing." ~Albert Einstein
Many sacrifices were made to allow the citizens of the United States of America to have freedom. But slowly and apathetically our rights are being taken away. How enslaved do you want to become?
Quotes on the Power of Influential Writing
"Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword."
(from the play Richelieu, Act II, 1839)
"The tongue is mightier than the blade."
~Euripides, Great poet, 400 BC
"...many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose quills."
Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1600s
Math formula: pen > sword <---- I like it!
"Over the years, many revolutionaries have used sharp tongues instead of sharp knives --- and the results have been extraordinary." ~Glenn Beck Common Sense, vii
Without a doubt, writing has done some powerful influencing for both good and bad. Lincoln is known to have read Uncle Tom's Cabin and at meeting its author Harriet Beecher Stowe said, "So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war." Hitler's writings in Mein Kampf have influenced and continue to influence many on his writings of a superior race fueling racism.
Books such as Les Miserables expose characteristics of human nature on compassion, forgiveness, and revenge as do the writings of Shakespeare. And these barely even scratch the surface of what is available for our benefit.
These writings can make us better people and instill in us leadership qualities needed in our families, communities, work places, schools, etc. And we can use our own words to put a positive influence all around us. Let's do that!
The pen is mightier than the sword."
(from the play Richelieu, Act II, 1839)
"The tongue is mightier than the blade."
~Euripides, Great poet, 400 BC
"...many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose quills."
Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1600s
Math formula: pen > sword <---- I like it!
"Over the years, many revolutionaries have used sharp tongues instead of sharp knives --- and the results have been extraordinary." ~Glenn Beck Common Sense, vii
Without a doubt, writing has done some powerful influencing for both good and bad. Lincoln is known to have read Uncle Tom's Cabin and at meeting its author Harriet Beecher Stowe said, "So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war." Hitler's writings in Mein Kampf have influenced and continue to influence many on his writings of a superior race fueling racism.
Books such as Les Miserables expose characteristics of human nature on compassion, forgiveness, and revenge as do the writings of Shakespeare. And these barely even scratch the surface of what is available for our benefit.
These writings can make us better people and instill in us leadership qualities needed in our families, communities, work places, schools, etc. And we can use our own words to put a positive influence all around us. Let's do that!
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Everyday heroes
Every single day, there are people doing heroic deeds. No one knows who or what they are. They are not shouted from the rooftops or printed in the newspaper. But they are models of leadership education.
Recently I was told of the following story from a physical therapist who has clients with severe limited mobility. One of her clients is so heavy that she is confined to a bed except for those rare occasions that she is hoisted out of bed in a hydraulic lift for doctor's appointments....or twice a week when this physical therapist comes to help her client stand up for a brief 30 seconds. Yes, this physical therapist is an everyday hero. But her retired father is also an everyday hero, a man, who behind the scenes, listens to his daughter's stories of clients whose hospital beds are too high to safely allow them to get in and out of. So what does he do?
This humble, but skilled in carpentry, everyday hero seeks no recognition or monetary gain builds wooden platforms to fulfill the needs of those with his daughter .
May we keep our eyes and ears open recognizing everyday heroes and learn from the examples. And may this encourage us to go forth and with our own personal skills fulfill needs in the world!
Everyday heroes are models of leadership education.
Recently I was told of the following story from a physical therapist who has clients with severe limited mobility. One of her clients is so heavy that she is confined to a bed except for those rare occasions that she is hoisted out of bed in a hydraulic lift for doctor's appointments....or twice a week when this physical therapist comes to help her client stand up for a brief 30 seconds. Yes, this physical therapist is an everyday hero. But her retired father is also an everyday hero, a man, who behind the scenes, listens to his daughter's stories of clients whose hospital beds are too high to safely allow them to get in and out of. So what does he do?
This humble, but skilled in carpentry, everyday hero seeks no recognition or monetary gain builds wooden platforms to fulfill the needs of those with his daughter .
May we keep our eyes and ears open recognizing everyday heroes and learn from the examples. And may this encourage us to go forth and with our own personal skills fulfill needs in the world!
Everyday heroes are models of leadership education.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Entitlement Mentality Part 2
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were readers. Their readings consisted of original works from Locke, Hume, Shakespeare, Plato, Aristotle, readings from the Bible especially the Old Testament regarding government rule, and many other works. From these readings, they gained the knowledge and insight that were necessary to write documents founded upon principles of freedom for the birth of a new country (aka United States of America) to follow. The words combined in the founding documents were carefully chosen to last for hundreds of generations. The only thing to tear it down would come from within the people. Unfortunately it is frightfully happening in this great country.
So how are we tearing it down? The words "pursuit of happiness" were intentionally used so we can be an ownership, self-reliant, independent people! For the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, "happiness meant that feeling of self-worth and dignity you acquire by contributing to your community and to its civic life" (Dictionary.com)." But we have now shifted that to mean that we expect the government to take care of our needs, to solve our problems, to take care of us. And THAT is tearing down our country by creating a big government ever increasing in waste of resources and abuse of power.
I came across the quote by Benjamin Franklin where he says, "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." We need to eliminate the modern era definition of the "pursuit of happiness" as an entitlement mentality and go back to what it was originally intended. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations, if they are to live in freedom, to be responsible for getting what we want in life. We need to stop saying, "Our government should do something about such and such (fill in with whatever social issue arises)." In reality it is the individual's and community's responsibility to seek out the solutions and implement them.
In the book Why We Want You to Be Rich by Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump, they say, "The best way to solve the problems of bad financial results is to change our thoughts...That means losing the entitlement mentality...If we do not stop expecting the government to take care of us, we will continue to have the same results -- a bankrupt nation filled with .. financially needy people."
Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump continue by saying that most people want to take the path of least resistance by taking the easy way out. Of course, who wouldn't? Why wouldn't someone want another to take care of them, to help solve their problems?! But a change in thinking is crucial for the future!
So what is the solution offered by these two financially successful men? It is to become financially literate. Incorporate the ability to make money and make it work for you.
* Read books on financial literacy.
* Take a short course on accounting and/or investing.
* Attend seminars and workshops.
* Start a small business to learn skills on growing and managing a business.
Other things I would like to add to the list are:
* Plant your own garden even a small one.
* Learn to can, dehydrate and freeze abundance of crops.
* Learn self survival skills, camping, outdoor skills.
* Learn self defense/fighting skills.
* Learn CPR/Basic First Aid.
* Volunteer in a community charity or nonprofit.
* Read, read read!!
* Add your own items to this list.
Take inventory of your gifts and talents. Find ways to use them to better your surroundings, to give to your community.
Don't just take without giving. You are the solution to offer your family, your country, and the world. This country is still great! There are plenty of opportunities out there. Once you realize the potential you have, it will be liberating and empowering. No one and no entity owes you anything.
Set aside the entitlement mentality. Take charge of your future!!!!
So how are we tearing it down? The words "pursuit of happiness" were intentionally used so we can be an ownership, self-reliant, independent people! For the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, "happiness meant that feeling of self-worth and dignity you acquire by contributing to your community and to its civic life" (Dictionary.com)." But we have now shifted that to mean that we expect the government to take care of our needs, to solve our problems, to take care of us. And THAT is tearing down our country by creating a big government ever increasing in waste of resources and abuse of power.
I came across the quote by Benjamin Franklin where he says, "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." We need to eliminate the modern era definition of the "pursuit of happiness" as an entitlement mentality and go back to what it was originally intended. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations, if they are to live in freedom, to be responsible for getting what we want in life. We need to stop saying, "Our government should do something about such and such (fill in with whatever social issue arises)." In reality it is the individual's and community's responsibility to seek out the solutions and implement them.
In the book Why We Want You to Be Rich by Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump, they say, "The best way to solve the problems of bad financial results is to change our thoughts...That means losing the entitlement mentality...If we do not stop expecting the government to take care of us, we will continue to have the same results -- a bankrupt nation filled with .. financially needy people."
Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump continue by saying that most people want to take the path of least resistance by taking the easy way out. Of course, who wouldn't? Why wouldn't someone want another to take care of them, to help solve their problems?! But a change in thinking is crucial for the future!
So what is the solution offered by these two financially successful men? It is to become financially literate. Incorporate the ability to make money and make it work for you.
* Read books on financial literacy.
* Take a short course on accounting and/or investing.
* Attend seminars and workshops.
* Start a small business to learn skills on growing and managing a business.
Other things I would like to add to the list are:
* Plant your own garden even a small one.
* Learn to can, dehydrate and freeze abundance of crops.
* Learn self survival skills, camping, outdoor skills.
* Learn self defense/fighting skills.
* Learn CPR/Basic First Aid.
* Volunteer in a community charity or nonprofit.
* Read, read read!!
* Add your own items to this list.
Take inventory of your gifts and talents. Find ways to use them to better your surroundings, to give to your community.
Don't just take without giving. You are the solution to offer your family, your country, and the world. This country is still great! There are plenty of opportunities out there. Once you realize the potential you have, it will be liberating and empowering. No one and no entity owes you anything.
Set aside the entitlement mentality. Take charge of your future!!!!
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