Who am I

I know, it's been a while, but I have been concentrating so much on my other blogs that this one has gone to the wayside. However, I have found a quote that just may get me back on track with this blog. Who knows, I may rekindle this fire.

Today's quote comes from a person named Haim Ginott. I will write about it here in a few days time, but until then, here's the quote:

"It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather...I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether the crisis will be escalated or deescalated and a child humanized or dehumanized."

Unfortunately I can't find any information on this person (nor picture) anywhere; but this quote is now hanging in my office area and every center I work out will have this posted in their staff area. This is a great reminder to teachers of what we do.

Starting the USA-The one that gave us the Constitution

"I consent, sit, to this Constitution because I expect no better; and because I am not sure that it is not the best." as quoted by Benjamin Franklin in a Speech at the Constitutional Convention, Pennsylvania Sept 17 1787

At the time of this speech, there seemed to be an impasse with all the delegates in the final wording. Everyone wanting their words, but no one wanting to give in. It was after this speech of his that the motion was finally carried to complete what we know today as the Constitution of the United States of America; by far the best country out there. A government by the people, for the people, and of the people. Not a government that runs the people.

Please remember this; the purpose of our government to serve us, not to run us and our daily lives...as I greatly fear we are headed.

Happy Fourth of July!

Starting the USA-We have all the same

"…Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from loyal discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles, and liberty you posses are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, or common dangers, sufferings, and successes." as quoted by George Washington in his Farewell address on Sept 17 1796

Again, I find it interesting that the first thing that he states we all have in common (thought with shades of differences) is religion. These great men that I am quoting this week were proud of this country. I am proud to belong to this country. Are you?

Starting the USA-Liberty or Death

"Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone. It is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. … …..Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" as quoted by Patrick Henry in his speech to the second Virginia Convention, March 23 1775

This is from a very famous speech, mostly for the line. I find it very interesting how hard we try to keep God and religion out of this country today when He was very much in the minds of our Founding Fathers.

Starting the USA-It all begins with...

For the next four days, we will be looking at quotes of our founding fathers and one from even earlier. Today, is the earliest quote; John Winthrop who came over and helped to start one of the first colonies which was just a small step to the great USofA:

"The great questions that have troubled the country are about the authority of the magistrates and the liberty of the people. It is yourselves who have called us to this office, and, being called by you, we have our authority from God, in way of an ordinance, such as hath the image of God eminently stamped upon it, the contempt and violation whereof hath been vindicated with examples of divine vengeance. I entreat you to consider that, when you choose magistrates, you take them from among yourselves, men subject to like passions as you are." as quoted by John Winthrop in his Acquittal speech before the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1645

Fictional Saturday-Enjoying Work

"Do you ever envision yourself reaching a point where you're intrinsically satisfied with the work that you're doing? Where you're no longer working to get ahead, but simply because you enjoy it?" as quoted by Elyse Keaton, the mother on the show Family Ties, popular television series in the 80s. This quote is from one of the first season episodes titled "Death of a Grocer" when Alex quits his job at a small grocer for the big time and end up going back to the smaller store.

I found this quote so great and so defining for my work. I love my job and what I do. If all I made was just enough for a roof over my head and food, I would be greatly please with it. I don't know that many people could say that.

Wisdom...

"Some folks are wise and some otherwise." as quoted by Josh Billings (pen name of Henry Wheeler Shaw), famous American humor author and lecturer; second only to Mark Twain.

I hope I fall into the first category, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I fall into the second.