Author's Note: It is THE most wonderful time of the year, which is why everyone should "feel the season". See if you can imagine what it is like to be part of a family gathering, a special event, or a joyous memory within this short narrative.
The anniversary of the birth of our savior, mistletoe, holiday cookies, eggnog, family gatherings, "Elf" and "Christmas Vacation": these are the many traditions and attractions revered within the Christmas season. It is a time where we reflect upon the past year and all we have done, all we have seen, and all that was.
Yet, with reflection comes renewal, rebirth and refreshing "exhale" in preparation for the future. This season, when you visit with grandma and grandpa, Uncle Larry and Aunt Ruth, along with your brother or sister you have not seen in three months, take the time to be thankful for what you have been provided.
Take time also to help someone who may not have had such a great year; make their life a little better by doing that small, thoughtful thing to make life more meaningful for them: whether it is donating food at your local food pantry, volunteering at the local "kettle ringing" or joining an impromptu group to sing Christmas carols.
Remember: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear". Buddy Elf
Happy Faces
The views in Oak Creek Canyon, AZ are a sight to see, even with the 45 degree water at Slide Rock State Park. Here, sons Eric and Dan enjoy a restful moment after several "slides" down the river.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
End of the Quarter
Author's Note: Fall can be a very wonderful time of the year, for many of us. Please pay particular attention to my use of literary devices within the short paragraph reflecting on school thus far.
As we move towards the Autumn and Winter months, the ever so closer "half way" point of school becomes even more a reality. The fall sports seasons are wrapping up for high schools: yet thankfully we have Green Bay Packer football, and winter activities are beginning to take shape.
Like students entering a school, soon, if not already, hunters from across the state will enter the wooded areas around Wisconsin looking for that prize pheasant, grouse or deer. These experienced hunters usually have taken great care, planning and preparing for their respective hunts.Such experiences in the wild are ones people remember for a lifetime.
Hunters, like students may begin to see the need and importance of thinking ahead, planning for roadblocks and obstacles that may impede their progress, much like not bring your hunting license with you would affect your hunt negatively. Such experiences in school can be some of the most memorable of all! Be mindful of the need to pay attention to detail always, and your successes will certainly multiply.
As we move towards the Autumn and Winter months, the ever so closer "half way" point of school becomes even more a reality. The fall sports seasons are wrapping up for high schools: yet thankfully we have Green Bay Packer football, and winter activities are beginning to take shape.
Like students entering a school, soon, if not already, hunters from across the state will enter the wooded areas around Wisconsin looking for that prize pheasant, grouse or deer. These experienced hunters usually have taken great care, planning and preparing for their respective hunts.Such experiences in the wild are ones people remember for a lifetime.
Hunters, like students may begin to see the need and importance of thinking ahead, planning for roadblocks and obstacles that may impede their progress, much like not bring your hunting license with you would affect your hunt negatively. Such experiences in school can be some of the most memorable of all! Be mindful of the need to pay attention to detail always, and your successes will certainly multiply.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Welcome to the new school year!
Author's Note: The beginning of a school year can be a stressful time, but remember, you can make successes from what you wish each and every day in school! See if you can remember, as you read this piece, the good times you had in school.
As you venture on towards the career of your choice (yes, I understand this is a pretty "heavy" topic of discussion at this time in your life, but your future really is nearer than you think), one very important question needs to be considered: are you working towards your goal? Each and every day, we need to remember that whatever you are doing at any given time or place should, at some point, lead towards your ultimate goal. If you want to be the best soloist in the choir, the first chair in violin, the starting point guard, or the number one goal keeper, what are you doing to reach for that goal? As you move on to high school, career choices come into play: what college we will attend or what career choice will we make? The goals themselves may change, but the need to have goals in mind does not! Hold this thought as we travel down the road of middle school language arts at Asa Clark Middle School. Let the journey begin!
As you venture on towards the career of your choice (yes, I understand this is a pretty "heavy" topic of discussion at this time in your life, but your future really is nearer than you think), one very important question needs to be considered: are you working towards your goal? Each and every day, we need to remember that whatever you are doing at any given time or place should, at some point, lead towards your ultimate goal. If you want to be the best soloist in the choir, the first chair in violin, the starting point guard, or the number one goal keeper, what are you doing to reach for that goal? As you move on to high school, career choices come into play: what college we will attend or what career choice will we make? The goals themselves may change, but the need to have goals in mind does not! Hold this thought as we travel down the road of middle school language arts at Asa Clark Middle School. Let the journey begin!
Monday, March 14, 2011
A Hero Who Never Intended to Be
Author's Note: This post is from a reflection piece done to satisfy our understanding, or at least an attempt to understand, why people choose to act in ways that, while brave in one sense, place themselves in great peril. Try to imagine yourself making the choice to act heroically if you are given the chance some time in your life...what will you do?
There comes a time in everyone’s life when very important decisions must be made. The choice to use drugs or not, to attend college or enter the world of work upon completion of high school, to sit passively on the side, ignoring a greater calling or to serve one’s country in the military in a time of national need. Pat Tillman, a professional football player from the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, as described in an MSNBC.com news article, made a life changing decision after the devastating attacks in the United States on 9/11/2001 by quitting his multiyear, 3.6 million dollar contract and joining the military to defend his country. Tillman is, and will always be one of America’s true heroes that all individuals need to know more about.
A hero is defined in most cases as a person who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character. Few people who have never served in the armed forces understand what bravery and commitment is required for service in our military. Pat Tillman’s choice to join the Army Rangers is an example of great courage and strength of character. Making such an important and life-changing decision, to leave the relatively safe world of America and a career as a professional athlete, despite the obvious risks involved, causes one to take notice of such people who choose the “difficult” over the “easy”. Although facing horrible conditions on the ground in Afghanistan in early 2004, Tillman, along with his brother Kevin, chose to be part of the thousands of American men and women who defend our country from the evils of the world. Sadly, Tillman and a fellow soldier were killed in a fire-fight with enemy forces 25 miles southwest of the U.S. Army base in the city of Khost, Afghanistan.
The conscious effort to be part of America’s fighting force is something to not be taken lightly. Men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect the lives of their fellow soldiers and countrymen are of the highest degree of strength of character. As a result of this tragic loss of life by Tillman and the Afghan soldier, the number of people across the country who spoke out was tremendous. From Senator John McCain, the vice president of the Arizona Cardinals, Mike Bidwell, and former teammate Jake Plummer, messages of great sorrow and honor were bestowed upon Tillman. “He was a brave man, said Bidwell. “There are very few people who have the courage to do what he did, the courage to walk away from a professional sports career and make the ultimate sacrifice.” It would be hard to find a person anywhere who would disagree. Individuals who think of others first are of the highest quality: persons who should be honored and respected due to their deep dedication and sacrifice. Perhaps they do not realize what they really become when they serve our country, but yet they should know: they are heroes in the highest degree.
In order to understand what a hero truly is, the story of Pat Tillman and his tremendous efforts need be told. When all Americans come to understand the commitment, dedication and sacrifice military personnel make, more Americans will see what heroes really are.
There comes a time in everyone’s life when very important decisions must be made. The choice to use drugs or not, to attend college or enter the world of work upon completion of high school, to sit passively on the side, ignoring a greater calling or to serve one’s country in the military in a time of national need. Pat Tillman, a professional football player from the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, as described in an MSNBC.com news article, made a life changing decision after the devastating attacks in the United States on 9/11/2001 by quitting his multiyear, 3.6 million dollar contract and joining the military to defend his country. Tillman is, and will always be one of America’s true heroes that all individuals need to know more about.
A hero is defined in most cases as a person who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character. Few people who have never served in the armed forces understand what bravery and commitment is required for service in our military. Pat Tillman’s choice to join the Army Rangers is an example of great courage and strength of character. Making such an important and life-changing decision, to leave the relatively safe world of America and a career as a professional athlete, despite the obvious risks involved, causes one to take notice of such people who choose the “difficult” over the “easy”. Although facing horrible conditions on the ground in Afghanistan in early 2004, Tillman, along with his brother Kevin, chose to be part of the thousands of American men and women who defend our country from the evils of the world. Sadly, Tillman and a fellow soldier were killed in a fire-fight with enemy forces 25 miles southwest of the U.S. Army base in the city of Khost, Afghanistan.
The conscious effort to be part of America’s fighting force is something to not be taken lightly. Men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect the lives of their fellow soldiers and countrymen are of the highest degree of strength of character. As a result of this tragic loss of life by Tillman and the Afghan soldier, the number of people across the country who spoke out was tremendous. From Senator John McCain, the vice president of the Arizona Cardinals, Mike Bidwell, and former teammate Jake Plummer, messages of great sorrow and honor were bestowed upon Tillman. “He was a brave man, said Bidwell. “There are very few people who have the courage to do what he did, the courage to walk away from a professional sports career and make the ultimate sacrifice.” It would be hard to find a person anywhere who would disagree. Individuals who think of others first are of the highest quality: persons who should be honored and respected due to their deep dedication and sacrifice. Perhaps they do not realize what they really become when they serve our country, but yet they should know: they are heroes in the highest degree.
In order to understand what a hero truly is, the story of Pat Tillman and his tremendous efforts need be told. When all Americans come to understand the commitment, dedication and sacrifice military personnel make, more Americans will see what heroes really are.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Is Life Fair to Everyone?
Author's Note: This piece is designed to reach the inner thoughts of reader's minds in regards to freedoms and rights we all desire. Make note of the use of descriptive language within this piece.
Have you have ever faced a situation where you were denied access to an opportunity everyone else shares, or been wrongly accused of some act or action, all due to the fact you look or appear different from the majority? This situation, as wrong as it may be, occurs all too often in society today. Millions of individuals are prevented from reaching out and grasping the necessities of life: food, shelter, education and health care. In places like Darfur, Sudan, or Kabul, Afghanistan, these instances occur daily. Even in advanced countries like the United States and countries of the European Union, these violations of basic human rights continue to occur.
Please do not, however, confuse prejudice and bias with being held accountable for one's actions. If you choose to act out inappropriately, illegally or immorally, and you face a fair consequence for your misdeeds: the resulting action is not bias or prejudice, it is a natural consequence for your actions. Those people who choose to live on the fringe or the outer reaches of society: the criminal, the thoughtless, the sinners without repent: they are receiving what society has deemed appropriate and logical. Prejudice, remember then, treats individuals unfairly, illogically and immorally.
Have you have ever faced a situation where you were denied access to an opportunity everyone else shares, or been wrongly accused of some act or action, all due to the fact you look or appear different from the majority? This situation, as wrong as it may be, occurs all too often in society today. Millions of individuals are prevented from reaching out and grasping the necessities of life: food, shelter, education and health care. In places like Darfur, Sudan, or Kabul, Afghanistan, these instances occur daily. Even in advanced countries like the United States and countries of the European Union, these violations of basic human rights continue to occur.
Please do not, however, confuse prejudice and bias with being held accountable for one's actions. If you choose to act out inappropriately, illegally or immorally, and you face a fair consequence for your misdeeds: the resulting action is not bias or prejudice, it is a natural consequence for your actions. Those people who choose to live on the fringe or the outer reaches of society: the criminal, the thoughtless, the sinners without repent: they are receiving what society has deemed appropriate and logical. Prejudice, remember then, treats individuals unfairly, illogically and immorally.
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