With age comes experience, knowledge and wisdom...or at least it should. Given the benefit of the doubt, if such is the case, also comes the responsibility of sharing that experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Growing up, I always had family "elders" all too willing to share with me the benefit of their knowledge. Whether I agreed with what they had to say, or even wanted to listen, I certainly couldn't stop them from sharing. While I may not have heeded or listened to everything that was said, I now realize that I did benefit in many ways. While I was selective in whose advise I followed, I have to say that I did avoid many of the common pit falls in life because I listened to the sages who advised that one does not have to make every mistake on one's own in order to learn.
Life is too short to try to charter new territory in all circumstances and not try to benefit at least from some of the experiences of those we trust and admire.
When I was in college, I had a close friend who was 25 years older. I wasn't yet married, but I learned from her how to start out in my marriage and to ask my husband how to treat me from day one versus becoming discontent and then trying to change our relationship in midstream.
For those of us who have retired or are near retirement, we need to tell those younger than us that 35 years goes by much faster than you can believe and to put money aside for retirement.
...just because you love someone doesn't mean you have to marry him if he is not right for you...
...marry someone who loves you more than you love him...
...learn how to let go of people who do not treat you how you want to be treated...
...you cannot make someone love you, no matter what you do...
...have a separate and secret savings account known only to you...
...find your passion and not stay in a job that kills your spirit...
...honor your parents and do all that you can when they are still with you, because once they are gone, it's too late...
I've said all of this to say that by the time one reaches my age, we can or should be mentors to those coming behind us. If we know there is a hole in an alley we've already walked down, don't we really have the responsibility and/or obligation to warn someone traveling behind us that there is a big old hole down that alley?? The person may still choose to go down that alley anyway, but at least we gave fair warning. Some trip and falls one can readily pick oneself up from and keep on going. While other missteps may keep us down longer and some we never recover from. Let's put ourselves out there for the sake of someone else and take on that role of KIBITZER which seems to have snuck up on us overnight!
Peace
Michele
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
VOTE ---for Ann De Lacy
"Public education is, I believe, at the very core of our democracy and our American way of life. It brings us together as equals, provides the basis for our contribution to society as adults and, even back then in those sad days when it was not provided equally to all Americans, public education gave to all of us the foundation and resources to progress, to move up, and to realize our potential as productive citizens. Because of this, public education and the local school system must be nurtured, protected, and taken into consideration in all we do as a community.
For the past almost 40 years - my entire adult life - I have been involved in public education in Howard County: first, for 33 years, as a classroom teacher; later, for six years as the President of the Howard County Education Association (HCEA), the teachers' union; and currently as a member of the HCPSS Operating Budget Review Committee, and as a volunteer in area elementary schools. In addition, I have over the years been deeply involved in teacher-led efforts to improve teaching and learning in our public schools.
So, I bring to the Board of Education that experience and, unlike other more narrowly focused candidates, the ability to view the problems facing our schools from a variety of perspectives - as a teacher, organizer, activist, parent and grandparent, and, as a dedicated advocate for improvements in education and the upgrading of skills of teachers and paraprofessionals employed by the school system.
There are problems facing our school system and our society; and the solutions to those problems transcend our personal political persuasion or philosophy. Those problems will be solved only by coming together and honestly dealing with them - they will not be solved by the increasing dysfunction exhibited by the current Board of Education and their partisanship, narrow focus, and, yes, selfishness displayed by other candidates.
Our society is changing...the economy is undergoing severe stress...revenue has decreased...the value of a traditional college education is being questioned in terms of its high cost and the diminished return on that investment. There is growing recognition of a need to prepare students with the skills they will need to earn a living and succeed in our post-manufacturing, service and technological economy. The public school system must keep pace with those changes.
My experience, my dedication, my ability to view public education from the standpoint of the students and their families, and, finally, my courage to stand up for what I believe in form the basis of my candidacy and my belief that, with your help, we can, together, improve our schools and the education of our children. I ask for and thank you for your support."
Ann De Lacy
Classroom experienced, Community-focused
ANN DE LACY IS RUNNING FOR HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012
For the past almost 40 years - my entire adult life - I have been involved in public education in Howard County: first, for 33 years, as a classroom teacher; later, for six years as the President of the Howard County Education Association (HCEA), the teachers' union; and currently as a member of the HCPSS Operating Budget Review Committee, and as a volunteer in area elementary schools. In addition, I have over the years been deeply involved in teacher-led efforts to improve teaching and learning in our public schools.
So, I bring to the Board of Education that experience and, unlike other more narrowly focused candidates, the ability to view the problems facing our schools from a variety of perspectives - as a teacher, organizer, activist, parent and grandparent, and, as a dedicated advocate for improvements in education and the upgrading of skills of teachers and paraprofessionals employed by the school system.
There are problems facing our school system and our society; and the solutions to those problems transcend our personal political persuasion or philosophy. Those problems will be solved only by coming together and honestly dealing with them - they will not be solved by the increasing dysfunction exhibited by the current Board of Education and their partisanship, narrow focus, and, yes, selfishness displayed by other candidates.
Our society is changing...the economy is undergoing severe stress...revenue has decreased...the value of a traditional college education is being questioned in terms of its high cost and the diminished return on that investment. There is growing recognition of a need to prepare students with the skills they will need to earn a living and succeed in our post-manufacturing, service and technological economy. The public school system must keep pace with those changes.
My experience, my dedication, my ability to view public education from the standpoint of the students and their families, and, finally, my courage to stand up for what I believe in form the basis of my candidacy and my belief that, with your help, we can, together, improve our schools and the education of our children. I ask for and thank you for your support."
Ann De Lacy
Classroom experienced, Community-focused
ANN DE LACY IS RUNNING FOR HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
THE ESSENCE of a NEW DAY
This is the beginning of a new day
You have been given this day to use as you will.
You can waste it or use it for good.
What you do today is important
Because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.
In its place is something that you have left behind...
Let it be something good!!
- Author Unknown
Peace
Michele
Monday, October 1, 2012
TO MY DAUGHTER
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
Dance!
Peace
Your Mom
(Lyrics by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers)
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
Dance!
Peace
Your Mom
(Lyrics by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers)
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