I just received a message from an old student reminding me that it's not enough to have faith in, hope for, and love of a student. It's something I think about every day. Is it enough to have faith, belief and hope for each student? My answer to that question is a resounding, "No!" But, they are not trivial. The ability to have unconditional faith in, belief in, and hope for myself and each student is what gives teaching and learning their deepest meaning. It's not inconsequential to be inspired to awaken each morning with a "yes," to want to do something for someone else, to inspire someone else to want to get up and to do something, to want to make a positive difference in someone's life other than your own. So, I never forget that the greatest importance of faith, hope, and love is not to utter words, but to live by them. Living my faith, belief, hope, and love can make a difference in someone's life as well as my own. And when all is said and done, a century from now what's going to be important? That I earned so many degrees, that I had acquired tenure, that I had so many publications, that I had reached a certain salary scale and standard of living? Or, that the world is different because I was somehow important in a student's life?
Make it a good day. --Louis-- Louis Schmier http://therandomthoughts.edublogs.org/ Department of History http://www.newforums.com/Auth_L_Schmier.asp Valdosta State University www. halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\ (229-333-5947) /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__/\ \/\ / \/ \_ \/ / \/ /\/ \ /\ //\/\/ /\ \__/__/_/\_\ \_/__\ /\"If you want to climb mountains,\ /\ _ / \ don't practice on mole hills" - --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
