Forgive me if this seems scattered and random. Sitting here at work on a Saturday and avoiding actual work for a moment I decide to update my new classroom website and tweet some homework reminders and a quote to my amazing student leaders. As I was sending out the quote I thought how the quote meant something to me:
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. ~Buddha
I wondered why it was we couldn't just believe others, or history, or how some rumors and gossip become more truth than actual history is believed as fact. I also wondered about character and how hard it seems sometimes for even the best of people to do the right thing.
There are so many blessings in this life. My wonderful family and friends. My amazing job that, while sometimes stresses me out and tests my faith and patience, proves that there could be a much brighter future for us. More than that there are lessons and ways to 'live up to' what we should. There are time when patience is tried and while at the time it seems doomsday- it opens itself up to be something that you learn from and makes you better.
Maybe it is that we can't tell people about character and how important it is. They can't see it from history or tradition but instead they have to experience it for themselves. My hope is that as we all continue to mess up that we learn from out mistakes. More than that I hope we accept them, our role in them, and instead of blaming others, we figure out how to better ourselves from the lessons provided. Also, remember that we are not what we promise or tell or think, we are what we DO- our actions speak louder than words. It is when we live up to our potential that we truly shine.
Even days today when my faith is tested- I am going to continue to believe that those in my life will learn from things and continue to shine and make the world a better place. It is never too late...I am speaking from experience.
I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day. ~Abraham Lincoln
- Lamb
1 comment:
Karen this is great! While I agree with [much of] of the quote I have been trying to process this same idea and communicate it to my students as well. While I teach in a faith based school it would seem that character would come easily and there would be no outside challenges, however, that is not the case. In fact I would almost have to say that those who claim or try to hold onto character are the ones who are tried more often and looked upon more often than not. As young adults it is interesting that we are beginning to see the "other side" in the development of our students. What we once were we are now trying to teach to-something that I love about our jobs. I am sure you have found that leadership is all about character and as an advisor it is the job to bring out even stronger character, because these students do in fact represent the school but also you in some way. I commend you for pondering these things because ultimately they do stick when you press them upon your kids-the thought to think on your own or for yourself and do instead of talk-these are life lessons that could define character and ultimately who we turn into.
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