Gibbon

Reading The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Chew on this quotation:

The name of Poet was almost forgotten; that of orator was usurped by the Sophists. A cloud of critics, of compilers, of commentators darkened the face of learning, and the decline of genius was soon followed by the corruption of taste.

Refreshed.

Physically, Mentally, Spiritually... This has been a great break and a great time for a break. Now I'm ready--I think--for the final 6 week push towards the end. Only a few weeks until the AP Exam in Psych, so these coming days will be full of stress and pressure, but I think we can pull it off. Then it will be full focus on getting the C/E kids ready for the vaunted EOC. But enough about that...

I finished reading Smart Schools by David Perkins over the break and it has given me a lot to chew on. I do look forward to trying to implement the new ideas in education next year, but maybe I can squeeze some of them in these last few weeks.

I'm now on to Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. It's tough reading in parts, but the author packs so much insight into the history it's often hard to put down.

Time to go make some lesson plans and reflections for the TAH Grant.

dt

Saturday.

Have you ever wondered what the Saturday was like? I mean we have Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but what was it like on that Saturday? Were there any who thought that just maybe... just maybe He isn't really gone? Were there hearts filled with utter despair, or were there some who thought about the words that He had used and began to wonder? Did any anticipate what was to come?

I can't imagine the grief. I can only try to imagine the despair. I wonder what the conversations were.

dt

Long Hard Slog

It's been a trying couple of weeks. Acid Reflux, Big Family Decisions, and a mutual weariness on the part of both students and teacher. But Easter is just around the corner. Birthday party (go team orange), High Rock Lake, the Beach, and the Zoo, and some much needed R and R will surely bring about renewal.

After all, that's what this holiday is all about. Renewal. Perhaps a post for a later time. Now I must to the television to watch Clifford the Big Red Dog.

dt

The Condition.

I've heard the phrase "human condition" so many times in the past. But it is really only in these past few days of physical/psychological stress that I've truly begun to get a grasp on the meaning. It is amazing the amount of pain we can feel as humans. Pain can be physical but often it seems as if the worst kind is psychological/spiritual/mental...

Millions of people are suffering all over the world. Many are within mere miles of me. Yet I am only consumed with emotions of sympathy and empathy and grief when suffering directly touches my own existence.

To be a Christian must mean more than that. It must mean that I should seek to empathize with those who are suffering all over, whether that is a newly made widow in Iraq or some random person down the street. We strive for happiness in this great land. Happiness is for sale all around us. But Life is not happiness--at least not always, and for many it is rarely.

Happiness is too shallow. Joy is what has roots. The understanding that despite the sorrow that I may feel from time to time, that Joy comes in the Morning. That Truth gives strength to not only bear my own burdens, but to bear the burdens of all others. All others!

dt

Confrontation.

One thing that we learn in Psychology is that as humans we desire homeostasis. That balanced state is achieved in large part physiologically--the body is wondrous. We do have battles in our minds as well, however. We like to be in that "comfort zone" psychologically and spiritually as well. But once in a while--for some more often than not--we are faced with THE motivator that disrupts that sense of stability.

I speak of mortality.

Once in a while we come face to face with the prospect--no the certainty--that life is not in our hands. People deal with this reality in many different ways. Some turn to religion for a short time only to resume fulfillment of personal desires once the crisis has passed and things seem back to "normal." Others maintain their commitment. I, unfortunately, fall in the former category... Still others I'm afraid disregard death as anything to be concerned about and continue to live out the desires of the flesh.

When I think about Death, the biggest worry that I have--worry is probably not a strong enough term--is the fate of my family. I have a beautiful wife and a son that brings us joy that cannot be described. I tremble at the thought of leaving them alone; at the thought that I will not be here to provide for and Love them with all that I am.

But who am I? Who am I to believe or think for one second that I deserve another day of life on this Earth? I am but a sinner. I am but a man. Sometimes I make pretensions of moral striving, but in reality my own desires and thoughts rule the day. I am weak. I have little self control. And I look and think about the lives of so many others across this world and throughout history, and see that life is not guaranteed for even one more minute.

Therefore, Lord, let me learn from You. Let me serve You. Let me glorify You. Let me trust in your Glory and Love and Promise. May I rest in the fact that regardless of any outcome that I am safe within your hands and beyond that the ones I love are also found in your Embrace. Let me not forget these desires for You, when my confrontation with the thought of my own mortality has passed. Let me persevere.

dt