I went to visit a friend who has been around this life quite a bit long than I. She recently underwent a serious surgery. She has lost quite a bit of vitality, still listens hard and has as strong will. My evening with her and with her being nearer to her transition than I'd ever seen her ended on a prayer of sorts. The drive home gave my thoughts time to clarify around the idea of our endings, not just hers.
As I left, I said, "What I hope for you is that you have a long, long, long, healthy life, and, when your time comes that you just..." I made a sign with my forearm and hand, indicating that I meant just passing. She seemed surprised and said, "That is what we all want."
On the way home I began thinking about that idea in reference to myself. That is, of course, exactly what I want too. The truth, as I have seen it several times now, is that, no matter what a person has gone through in final years, months, weeks, days, minutes before "THE MOMENT," for the most part, their moment of passing is usually an uneventful, almost indistinguishable moment from any other mundane one in life. It quickly reveals itself as something other than that because it last much longer than any other moment. Their peace is the graphic, indisputable evidence that the time has arrived for time to end.
No matter what happens to the spirit of the departed one, they have left this life and will never know it again. Even if there is such a thing a reincarnation, they will not come back to then. Then is gone.
This, the second most important moment in our life, is nothing more than a gentle letting go and moving on. It is a leaving of the form our spirit knew for as long as they were joined. The manner of that relationship dictates the emotion that we ultimately attach to that separation. Love Begats Love. Enmity Begats Enmity. So it goes for everything forever.
What is so hopeful to me is that we become so much closer to someone as the possibility of our or their leaving becomes more real. It is often referred to as "a shame" because we didn't achieve that degree of caring and intimacy for all of those years that we shared prior to that possibility. I always thought so, too.
I don't think that way anymore. Now, I see all of life as building to that moment. That moment and the build-up to it are such important periods of our lives. They deserve to be experienced on a different, deeper level than what we experience in day to day association, even with loved ones. The final stage of being here is the culmination of all those other days and moments.
Rejoice in them. We have earned every atom of intimate energy that passes between us. We deserve every nano second of the experience. Relish it. It is life-shared's final statement to us and about us.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
NJEA/Teachers/The State of New Jersey
Why is NJEA so silent on all of this. Why aren't they broadcasting, advertising and announcing such information to the general public? Something is going on behind the scenes that is preventing that, or the NJEA leadership has become completely effete and useless.
Also, what are some teachers doing that has caused such alienation from enough of their ex-students, now-voters that has allowed the opposition to gather such a following? Not only is it time to broadcast but also look inward. Our greatest PR weapon is ourselves and how we deal with each and every student individually and collectively in our classrooms.
Also, administrators need to stop being politicians. However, that is for another tirade.
Also, what are some teachers doing that has caused such alienation from enough of their ex-students, now-voters that has allowed the opposition to gather such a following? Not only is it time to broadcast but also look inward. Our greatest PR weapon is ourselves and how we deal with each and every student individually and collectively in our classrooms.
Also, administrators need to stop being politicians. However, that is for another tirade.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Getting the Facts Straight
New Jersey's governor, as well as many other politicians and concerned citizens, seem to be zeroing in on the atrocious way in which teachers ruin society by demanding to be compensated adequately for the feeble jobs that they do. At least that is the view of New Jersey Governor Cristie and those other high flying, overly ambitious and under qualified, political ladder climbers. From what I understand, he claims that we teachers are the main cause of drain on the coffers of New Jersey's Treasury.
I'd like to know how he can claim that. OOOPS! I take that back. A rabid politician can claim anything he wants, and there will always be rabid fools to agree. That's especially true when it comes to negative claims about teachers' job performances, responsibilities, benefits, etc.
His claim is quite interesting, given that for 13 of the past 14 years, the State of New Jersey has not contributed to the Teacher's Pension and Annuity Fund. Only teachers have paid into their pensions. In fact, in the past the venerable State of New Jersey has borrowed money from that same pension fund and never paid it back. Also, we teachers contribute heftily to our own medical insurance plan. We don't get it for free. So, it appears that the only way that we drain the system is by demanding that we get paid adequately and that we be treated fairly. That's pretty unreasonable of us.
Now, as for tenure. Yes. It must be revised. That does not mean eliminated. It means that it must be made more meaningful for students', teachers' and communities' benefits. So, to that end the wise political ladder climbers and their supporters are trying to tie it to student performance. That's really keen thinking. Intellectually gifted students can excel in spite of the teacher's quality. On the other hand, students at the other end of the intellectual spectrum oftentimes do not improve regardless of the quality of teaching they receive. So, judging a teacher on their students' performances is really wise thinking.
Maintaining tenure should have meaningful requirements attached to it. Teachers should be required to take X numbers of courses/credits in their field within a given period of time. They should also be required to take "enrichment" courses outside of their field. What would be ideal is if teachers were required to step out of the classroom every so often and actually spend some time in the business world working in something related to the subject they are teaching. All of that would mean that teachers would be in a constant state of growth and enrichment, which they could pass on to their students and that the classroom and industry and academia would become more closely aligned.
All of that would also be very difficult to implement and would require lots of ironing out. So, tough talking politicians create popular press for themselves by taking the easy, populist, expedient road. They don't move to revise tenure to insure that the best people are drawn into the profession, that the best teachers stay and the worst are weeded out.They herald the every populist ideas, "Ax tenure. Those lazy, over paid, under worked teachers deserve to have their salaries cut, an axe always hanging over their heads, no legal recourse and certainly no respect. They don't deserve the same collective bargaining rights as do police and firemen. Teachers are a drain on society. They cost us money."
There are times when I almost wish those defamers become successful in their campaign. Then, they would reap what they are sowing. Then, fewer good people would go into the profession, taxes would be lower, classes would be more crowded, respect for teachers would be even more undermined than it already is, so students would be even more difficult to motivate, parents would have even more to complain about ref. their schools, and industry would have even more to complain about ref. the inadequacy of their workers. (Isn't that a long, bitch of a sentence?) Let us not forget that the police will have more crime to keep them busy.
Then, and only then, will the United States of America be able to regain and maintain it's legendary status as world leader. Teachers had nothing to do with the US of A's success in the past. They have no real role in its future accomplishments. Dump as many as you can. Cut compensation to the bone. Force them to live in ghettos where they belong. You'll save money, America!
I propose a toast: "Short Life to The Mental Midget Mentality Of The Mouth, Cristie, and His Band Of Merry, Short Sighted Followers."
I'd like to know how he can claim that. OOOPS! I take that back. A rabid politician can claim anything he wants, and there will always be rabid fools to agree. That's especially true when it comes to negative claims about teachers' job performances, responsibilities, benefits, etc.
His claim is quite interesting, given that for 13 of the past 14 years, the State of New Jersey has not contributed to the Teacher's Pension and Annuity Fund. Only teachers have paid into their pensions. In fact, in the past the venerable State of New Jersey has borrowed money from that same pension fund and never paid it back. Also, we teachers contribute heftily to our own medical insurance plan. We don't get it for free. So, it appears that the only way that we drain the system is by demanding that we get paid adequately and that we be treated fairly. That's pretty unreasonable of us.
Now, as for tenure. Yes. It must be revised. That does not mean eliminated. It means that it must be made more meaningful for students', teachers' and communities' benefits. So, to that end the wise political ladder climbers and their supporters are trying to tie it to student performance. That's really keen thinking. Intellectually gifted students can excel in spite of the teacher's quality. On the other hand, students at the other end of the intellectual spectrum oftentimes do not improve regardless of the quality of teaching they receive. So, judging a teacher on their students' performances is really wise thinking.
Maintaining tenure should have meaningful requirements attached to it. Teachers should be required to take X numbers of courses/credits in their field within a given period of time. They should also be required to take "enrichment" courses outside of their field. What would be ideal is if teachers were required to step out of the classroom every so often and actually spend some time in the business world working in something related to the subject they are teaching. All of that would mean that teachers would be in a constant state of growth and enrichment, which they could pass on to their students and that the classroom and industry and academia would become more closely aligned.
All of that would also be very difficult to implement and would require lots of ironing out. So, tough talking politicians create popular press for themselves by taking the easy, populist, expedient road. They don't move to revise tenure to insure that the best people are drawn into the profession, that the best teachers stay and the worst are weeded out.They herald the every populist ideas, "Ax tenure. Those lazy, over paid, under worked teachers deserve to have their salaries cut, an axe always hanging over their heads, no legal recourse and certainly no respect. They don't deserve the same collective bargaining rights as do police and firemen. Teachers are a drain on society. They cost us money."
There are times when I almost wish those defamers become successful in their campaign. Then, they would reap what they are sowing. Then, fewer good people would go into the profession, taxes would be lower, classes would be more crowded, respect for teachers would be even more undermined than it already is, so students would be even more difficult to motivate, parents would have even more to complain about ref. their schools, and industry would have even more to complain about ref. the inadequacy of their workers. (Isn't that a long, bitch of a sentence?) Let us not forget that the police will have more crime to keep them busy.
Then, and only then, will the United States of America be able to regain and maintain it's legendary status as world leader. Teachers had nothing to do with the US of A's success in the past. They have no real role in its future accomplishments. Dump as many as you can. Cut compensation to the bone. Force them to live in ghettos where they belong. You'll save money, America!
I propose a toast: "Short Life to The Mental Midget Mentality Of The Mouth, Cristie, and His Band Of Merry, Short Sighted Followers."
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
"In The Beginning..."
...God created the mouth.
Oh, of course I know that the Bible says that, "In the beginning God created man." However, if he hadn't simultaneously created him with a mouth, Adam would not have been able to gape in awe at Eve or then eat that infamous apple. Hm. I wonder if Eve was the apple. Hm. Interesting. That's for another time, however.
Well, getting back to the mouth. I've been told that I have a big mouth. At other times I've been informed that I have "diarrhea of the mouth." Ergo the name of this blog site.
Although I didn't believe those accusers then. I certainly do now. Those responsible for my revelation of self's mouth may now shudder at the fact that I intend to take full advantage of God's gift to me. I've decided to come out of the closet and not only proclaim that I AM BIG MOUTHED AND OPINIONATED but also revel in God's created mouth's ability to express whatever I want in whatever way I choose - or what's a blog for. Maybe I'll even reform and God's gift to me will become God's gift tot he world. On the road to that lofty pinnacle, there may be some real setbacks, though. In fact, I can probably guarantee it. My perfection lies in my imperfections.
So, now we both know what this blog is all about. I wasn't sure about that when I began the process, but I am now. I wonder what form my "explosive evacuations" will take and what reactions they will incite. Hm.
Lou
P.S. I'm a stickler for my own grammar, usage and punctuation. That doesn't mean that you have to be. You may enjoy being misunderstood.
Oh, of course I know that the Bible says that, "In the beginning God created man." However, if he hadn't simultaneously created him with a mouth, Adam would not have been able to gape in awe at Eve or then eat that infamous apple. Hm. I wonder if Eve was the apple. Hm. Interesting. That's for another time, however.
Well, getting back to the mouth. I've been told that I have a big mouth. At other times I've been informed that I have "diarrhea of the mouth." Ergo the name of this blog site.
Although I didn't believe those accusers then. I certainly do now. Those responsible for my revelation of self's mouth may now shudder at the fact that I intend to take full advantage of God's gift to me. I've decided to come out of the closet and not only proclaim that I AM BIG MOUTHED AND OPINIONATED but also revel in God's created mouth's ability to express whatever I want in whatever way I choose - or what's a blog for. Maybe I'll even reform and God's gift to me will become God's gift tot he world. On the road to that lofty pinnacle, there may be some real setbacks, though. In fact, I can probably guarantee it. My perfection lies in my imperfections.
So, now we both know what this blog is all about. I wasn't sure about that when I began the process, but I am now. I wonder what form my "explosive evacuations" will take and what reactions they will incite. Hm.
Lou
P.S. I'm a stickler for my own grammar, usage and punctuation. That doesn't mean that you have to be. You may enjoy being misunderstood.
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