"Ignorance is the night of the mind. A night without moon or stars." --Confucius
What Confucius says was first introduced to me in The Wiz. These wise words were pulled out of Scarecrow's head, and I was a believer immediately. How many times have we referred to a lack of knowledge or information as being "in the dark"? While ignorance is sometimes bliss (there are things I would prefer not to know, especially when it concerns people), I am certain that ignorance is costly. It is true what the United Negro College Fund motto says, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." An ignorant mind is a wasted mind. Without knowledge to light our path, the "moon or stars," we stumble, fall, and sometimes perish. I do not believe for a moment that curing ignorance is easy. One cannot just pour knowledge into a dark mind. The unenlightened mind does need to be open. It must have the ability to see the light. Light makes us curious: it inspires. The moon and the stars cause us to dream, use or imagination, consider making the impossible possible. I am reminded of all the slave narratives I read. Having been denied the ability to read and write, knowing that education would change their plight (and free them mentally and then physically), they sought knowledge even though it might cost them their lives. While we have all been ignorant, and if we live long enough, will be again, there is no need to remain permanently in the dark.
06 February 2008
Excellence
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." --Aristotle
Aristotle's statement is one I wholeheartedly agree with. Habits are powerful things, good or bad. It is time more of us started to make the good habits work for us. It is discouraging to hear many of my male students say, "I'm just not good at school." Those same young men (and young women) are often great athletes, musicians, or artists, spending countless hours practicing, doing, the thing they love. If only they would transfer that energy to the classwork I assign! Success will not occur overnight, but neither are habits created overnight. They creep up on us. According to most theorists, it takes thirty days to make a habit. Today's students can measure time nano seconds. Thirty days is forever. Unfortunately, this is a lesson most students will learn when they are much older. I, however, keep trying to spread the message.
Aristotle's statement is one I wholeheartedly agree with. Habits are powerful things, good or bad. It is time more of us started to make the good habits work for us. It is discouraging to hear many of my male students say, "I'm just not good at school." Those same young men (and young women) are often great athletes, musicians, or artists, spending countless hours practicing, doing, the thing they love. If only they would transfer that energy to the classwork I assign! Success will not occur overnight, but neither are habits created overnight. They creep up on us. According to most theorists, it takes thirty days to make a habit. Today's students can measure time nano seconds. Thirty days is forever. Unfortunately, this is a lesson most students will learn when they are much older. I, however, keep trying to spread the message.
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