This is the message given with the Tabernacle Choir Broadcast, June 2014. I take no credit here and give credit where it is due.
"The Root of Good Manners"
Actor John Rhys-Davies sometimes speaks to young people about overcoming shyness. He says that it is quite natural to feel shy, to be uncomfortable in a room of strangers. His advice? "Turn it the other way around and think, 'I'm walking into a room full of very shy people, and my job is to make them feel at ease and comfortable in their situation.' That is really the root of good manners: making the people around you feel comfortable."1
Some people are so skilled at making others feel comfortable. They're genuinely interested in others; they're kind and thoughtful; they're easy to be around. Instead of focusing on themselves, they choose to be considerate and responsive, and they seem to take sincere joy in making people happy.
It's easy to assume that some people are just naturally outgoing-that it comes easily to them-and the rest of us simply aren't that way. But the fact is that with a little effort and practice, anyone can choose to be open, loving, and warm. That might mean we attentively listen, or we think, "What can I learn from this person?" For others, it might mean we speak up a little more or make the effort to meet someone new.
No matter whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you can learn to put others at ease. A young woman who left friends and family to attend college discovered this simple truth. When she began to extend herself, she found that more often than not, people welcomed her outreach. They, too, wanted a friend. They began to feel comfortable around her, and she made new friends wherever she went. She found that by making simple introductions and finding out about others, she could help people relax in her company and enjoy being around her.
The skill of good manners is not beyond anyone's reach-at its roots, it's simply a matter of forgetting ourselves and helping others feel comfortable.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
The Beast Known as Common Core
For more than a year the hatred for Common Core has spewed forth with the venom of a rattlesnake. Early on in this widely fought debate I fought a battle for CC. Now I fear that I, too, have given in or up--which ever it is. As a curriculum leader in a public school for some years I was schooled in the principles which were to govern this beast known as Common Core. The rationale establishing the need for this kind of curriculum was always that our students are weak in problem solving and are not able to explain their thinking. I often had the feeling that our leaders were going away for workshops and training and bringing back these new theories and approaches, presenting them to us and expecting that we would be the change agents in our assigned schools. What they did not understand nor anticipate was that teachers were not sponging up these ideas as a better way to get the job done. As leaders, we got it! We presented this material but we were not always well received. Why? As their resource leaders we were collaborating and trying to convince them of the need for change. My time expired without accomplishing that task. Now I can sleep in each morning after a long career in the classrooms of the schools in this state.
Recently I happened upon a former colleague in the grocery store one evening. I, of course, inquired about how things were going. Since the administration had recently changed at her school she replied, " Well, I can handle all of the changes with the new administration but this Common Core stuff is about to kill us."
When I inquired as to how Common Core made teaching so difficult she indicated what they were being required to do much and have students prove their answers in so many ways. She said time flew by each day but there did not seem to be enough hours in a day to get it all done. She went on to explain that students had lots of difficulty with the problem solving required to do the work especially in Math.
Much has been written in the press about and mostly against Common Core and all it represents. The ideas presented by the far right are by and large poppycock. I do not believe mining the data produced by the testing coupled to Common Core is an evil plot to collect information to carry forth and use against citizens. This is one theory put forth vehemently by right wing thinkers.
I have been away from the classroom for four years now. I am certain there is much I do not know about the details of Common Core. On the one hand I am prone to believe that we as parents are not taking advantage of our time with our preschool children to do the kinds of activities which stretch their minds early in their development. But I am not so stupid as to think that all children are ready for these kinds of activities on the developmental spectrum in preschool years.
The old cliche' applies here, "Times have changed." Kindergarten is no longer the developmental play year that it once was. Due to the entry of political control into the realm of education we are now expected to teach what once was a first grade curriculum to preschoolers and kindergartners. Sorry folks but this is what got us to the much hated Common Core everyone is complaining about.
This is the gospel according to Hilda.....right or wrong, it is my opinion!
Recently I happened upon a former colleague in the grocery store one evening. I, of course, inquired about how things were going. Since the administration had recently changed at her school she replied, " Well, I can handle all of the changes with the new administration but this Common Core stuff is about to kill us."
When I inquired as to how Common Core made teaching so difficult she indicated what they were being required to do much and have students prove their answers in so many ways. She said time flew by each day but there did not seem to be enough hours in a day to get it all done. She went on to explain that students had lots of difficulty with the problem solving required to do the work especially in Math.
Much has been written in the press about and mostly against Common Core and all it represents. The ideas presented by the far right are by and large poppycock. I do not believe mining the data produced by the testing coupled to Common Core is an evil plot to collect information to carry forth and use against citizens. This is one theory put forth vehemently by right wing thinkers.
I have been away from the classroom for four years now. I am certain there is much I do not know about the details of Common Core. On the one hand I am prone to believe that we as parents are not taking advantage of our time with our preschool children to do the kinds of activities which stretch their minds early in their development. But I am not so stupid as to think that all children are ready for these kinds of activities on the developmental spectrum in preschool years.
The old cliche' applies here, "Times have changed." Kindergarten is no longer the developmental play year that it once was. Due to the entry of political control into the realm of education we are now expected to teach what once was a first grade curriculum to preschoolers and kindergartners. Sorry folks but this is what got us to the much hated Common Core everyone is complaining about.
This is the gospel according to Hilda.....right or wrong, it is my opinion!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
My Take on Curling
Now...before I start this rant one should know that I know very little about this sport (curling) other than that which I have observed during the last week or from that little bit of reading I have done. Prior to that the only things I knew about curling were those that people with straight hair did to their hair! (Incidentally, I do not fall in that group.) But, back to the sport now.
From what I have seen, it seems that these girls are playing this so-called game of trying to scoot this object (to be described) down a floor covered with ice to get it safely into an area on the floor called "home." Now about that object they are trying to guide along. They call it a stone or rock, or is it a smudge pot or a tea pot, say it is made of granite (?), but it has a handle on top of it. Ever seen a rock with handle?? Me, either! One of these girls pushes this "object" and heads it down the floor while two girls with a broom go running along in front of it sweeping the floor in front of it. Now supposedly this sport was played outdoors when it originated and the ground needed sweeping because there was junk on it but when they decided to play it indoors on ice they must have had to make up an excuse to keep those two players in the game, So....nowadays..in our day...they claim a scientific study has been done and those two girls running along sweeping the floor in front of the ball are helping it get to its destination for certain..the aforementioned destination called "home."
I wrote some more about this....I am mad right now because I am using Win8 and it keeps erasing what I write so I am quitting.
From what I have seen, it seems that these girls are playing this so-called game of trying to scoot this object (to be described) down a floor covered with ice to get it safely into an area on the floor called "home." Now about that object they are trying to guide along. They call it a stone or rock, or is it a smudge pot or a tea pot, say it is made of granite (?), but it has a handle on top of it. Ever seen a rock with handle?? Me, either! One of these girls pushes this "object" and heads it down the floor while two girls with a broom go running along in front of it sweeping the floor in front of it. Now supposedly this sport was played outdoors when it originated and the ground needed sweeping because there was junk on it but when they decided to play it indoors on ice they must have had to make up an excuse to keep those two players in the game, So....nowadays..in our day...they claim a scientific study has been done and those two girls running along sweeping the floor in front of the ball are helping it get to its destination for certain..the aforementioned destination called "home."
I wrote some more about this....I am mad right now because I am using Win8 and it keeps erasing what I write so I am quitting.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Humor
Most of us enjoy associating with folks who have a "good sense of humor." In fact, many medical studies show that a good sense of humor is often found in those who are quite healthy. In that light, it usually means that we do not take life and ourselves too seriously. Have you ever known individuals who can tell a story in such a way that it is more enjoyable than it might have been without their "spin" on the story?? Sometimes we call that "spinning a yarn." Generally speaking, we probably all know folks who have this gift. Sometimes it is their homespun way, sometimes the terminology, or just the way they express themselves.
Some people express humor by making themselves the butt of the joke. That often works when we are exceptionally clumsy, have done something we consider a "dumb mistake" or faux pas. That usually works because the joke is on us and we are poking fun at ourselves.
But do any of us enjoy humor when it is at our expense or directed at a cause that is close to our heart. No....I do not think so. Yet, many late night hosts/comedians (of sort) take news items and folks who appear in the news and recklessly use them as targets of their humor. Of course, it is hoped that the person who is the target "has a sense of humor"--meaning they can laugh at themselves-- and will not take this as an insult to their integrity.
But where is the line drawn? Often these late night host/comedians use politics and politicians as the brunt of their jokes. Most of these folks either don't watch late-night or blow it off and move on. Sometimes those watching and other means of media continue to repeat these attempts at humor in the news. Why??? One can only assume because it is felt that the humor either went too far or was lurking on the edge of not being funny to any one or is it because they truly agreed with the premise of the "humor" and thought it was funny?
What do you think? Mind telling??
Some people express humor by making themselves the butt of the joke. That often works when we are exceptionally clumsy, have done something we consider a "dumb mistake" or faux pas. That usually works because the joke is on us and we are poking fun at ourselves.
But do any of us enjoy humor when it is at our expense or directed at a cause that is close to our heart. No....I do not think so. Yet, many late night hosts/comedians (of sort) take news items and folks who appear in the news and recklessly use them as targets of their humor. Of course, it is hoped that the person who is the target "has a sense of humor"--meaning they can laugh at themselves-- and will not take this as an insult to their integrity.
But where is the line drawn? Often these late night host/comedians use politics and politicians as the brunt of their jokes. Most of these folks either don't watch late-night or blow it off and move on. Sometimes those watching and other means of media continue to repeat these attempts at humor in the news. Why??? One can only assume because it is felt that the humor either went too far or was lurking on the edge of not being funny to any one or is it because they truly agreed with the premise of the "humor" and thought it was funny?
What do you think? Mind telling??
Friday, February 7, 2014
Acting With Kindness
I post (for my own benefit) the message from Music and the Spoken Word from Temple Square on 2 February 2014. A message of remembering to be kind to others, being less quick to judge, and loving one another
The Unfolding Story
We never know the whole story of anyone's life. We might know bits and pieces, parts of a person's background or circumstances, but never the whole story.
For example, it's estimated that more than 15,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln and another 50,000 about the Civil War. And yet, with all those volumes, more will yet be written. More details will be revealed, and each will be examined from new perspectives in the coming years. And even then, we will not know the whole story.
Likewise, each life is an unfolding story-a story of growth and learning and change, a story of happiness and heartbreak, a story of success and sorrow. So perhaps we ought to be a little more patient, a little more forgiving. Perhaps we ought to be slower to judge and quicker to love.
Many years ago, a 14-year-old girl contracted a severe case of chicken pox. Fever burned its way through her body, and before long, the unsightly pox erupted all over her skin. She missed several days of school before the doctor assured her that she was no longer contagious, though her face was covered with scabs.
Mustering all her courage, she boarded the junior high school bus that first day back. A thoughtless young man called out and made fun of her scarred face while his friends laughed. She pretended not to hear them as she walked toward an empty seat. If only they had known the whole story. If only they had known how difficult it was for her to face her peers that day.
Never forget that every life and every occasion are unfolding in a unique and distinctive way. We may know some, but never all, of the story, so err on the side of compassion. Hold off on criticism and sarcasm, and never withhold kindness and mercy. And then, someday, when the whole story is finally written, we'll be thankful that we were able to contribute-at least in some small way-to a happy ending.
The Unfolding Story
We never know the whole story of anyone's life. We might know bits and pieces, parts of a person's background or circumstances, but never the whole story.
For example, it's estimated that more than 15,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln and another 50,000 about the Civil War. And yet, with all those volumes, more will yet be written. More details will be revealed, and each will be examined from new perspectives in the coming years. And even then, we will not know the whole story.
Likewise, each life is an unfolding story-a story of growth and learning and change, a story of happiness and heartbreak, a story of success and sorrow. So perhaps we ought to be a little more patient, a little more forgiving. Perhaps we ought to be slower to judge and quicker to love.
Many years ago, a 14-year-old girl contracted a severe case of chicken pox. Fever burned its way through her body, and before long, the unsightly pox erupted all over her skin. She missed several days of school before the doctor assured her that she was no longer contagious, though her face was covered with scabs.
Mustering all her courage, she boarded the junior high school bus that first day back. A thoughtless young man called out and made fun of her scarred face while his friends laughed. She pretended not to hear them as she walked toward an empty seat. If only they had known the whole story. If only they had known how difficult it was for her to face her peers that day.
Never forget that every life and every occasion are unfolding in a unique and distinctive way. We may know some, but never all, of the story, so err on the side of compassion. Hold off on criticism and sarcasm, and never withhold kindness and mercy. And then, someday, when the whole story is finally written, we'll be thankful that we were able to contribute-at least in some small way-to a happy ending.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Hating on Cold
I detest cold weather. So far this winter we have had about 34 million cold outbreaks from the North Pole come far enough south to make us really quite cold. I am really not liking this at all because I hate winter no matter how you frame it. There are some folks who complain all summer long because we have more than enough humidity in our area. Humidity can really make heat stifling. In fact, humidity can make even warm temperatures unbearable. This is especially hard on people who have asthma or any type of breathing difficulties. Since I don't have those problems I do my best to just wipe the sweat and "just grin and bear it." And maybe wear out my deodorant a little quicker than usual.
Why do you suppose I hate winter so? I do not like being cold even more than I dislike being too warm. I find that short days disturb me because I love light and sunshine. If I get up in the morning and the sun is shining my soul is delighted. I have that "whatever disease" that means light deprivation. As we are two thirds of the way through January the days are starting to lengthen to the point that it is discernible for all to see. That, too, makes my soul a happy one.
Once upon a time when I was quite young, I waited for a ride home from work in a cold snowstorm as the snow accumulated and my fingers and toes got more and more like blocks of ice. By the time I got home that day I was in tears. My ride didn't come and that was before the days of cell phones. This was many, many years ago and I actually flagged down a car and asked for a ride. Fortunately for me, the driver was a trustworthy salesman who lectured me but gave me a ride home. I will not go further into detail, however it was a very dangerous thing to do and it was a different time than today even though it could have been disastrous for me. (Gee, what poor sentence structure.) I was afraid I was freezing and getting frostbite. I remember that when I got home I was so, so upset that my Mom wrapped me up very tight and worked to get my extremities warm. This event could have easily been a contributing factor for my dislike of the cold. Sometimes what we are has been colored by the experiences we have endured. Not complaining, just stating a fact.
Some day if I am moved upon I may write more of this experience but for now this is all.
Stay warm everybody and have faith....Spring Cometh!
Why do you suppose I hate winter so? I do not like being cold even more than I dislike being too warm. I find that short days disturb me because I love light and sunshine. If I get up in the morning and the sun is shining my soul is delighted. I have that "whatever disease" that means light deprivation. As we are two thirds of the way through January the days are starting to lengthen to the point that it is discernible for all to see. That, too, makes my soul a happy one.
Once upon a time when I was quite young, I waited for a ride home from work in a cold snowstorm as the snow accumulated and my fingers and toes got more and more like blocks of ice. By the time I got home that day I was in tears. My ride didn't come and that was before the days of cell phones. This was many, many years ago and I actually flagged down a car and asked for a ride. Fortunately for me, the driver was a trustworthy salesman who lectured me but gave me a ride home. I will not go further into detail, however it was a very dangerous thing to do and it was a different time than today even though it could have been disastrous for me. (Gee, what poor sentence structure.) I was afraid I was freezing and getting frostbite. I remember that when I got home I was so, so upset that my Mom wrapped me up very tight and worked to get my extremities warm. This event could have easily been a contributing factor for my dislike of the cold. Sometimes what we are has been colored by the experiences we have endured. Not complaining, just stating a fact.
Some day if I am moved upon I may write more of this experience but for now this is all.
Stay warm everybody and have faith....Spring Cometh!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Observations on Dieting...
Dieting....so it is the first of the year of 2014 and folks have made New Year's resolutions (or revolutions as the little boy in the ad says) to lose weight. Not many people ever stick to their promises to themselves to do whatever those resolutions say. But today my thoughts are about the things folks do to lose weight. Some are doing these liquid diets for a week or two. You know the ones where they put disgusting things together in a blender or processor and make a more disgusting looking mess which they promptly drink or just take a picture of and put it on social media and taunt folks into thinking they drank the mess. Then there are some other liquid concoctions folks make just by putting things into water and letting them "stew" on their own. You know things like lemons, oranges, limes, etc. Enough acid to remove all of your dental enamel in one dead shot! Gotta drink this solution with a straw after having lined your tummy with several layers of Prilosec and its friends, the antacids!!
Let's see...these concoctions go by the sophisticated names of smoothies, fat flushes, body flushes, body detox.....whatever!!
Another interesting observation I have made is that quite often the folks on these diets as I have described have no need to diet at all. Usually their bodies are quite svelte, fit, whatever the correction description happens to be. ( Can't help but wonder if these kind of dieters have a severe case of constipation and need to smooth and flush!! Just a thought!!)
Now if I should decide to diet, I am thinking I would need to take a more serious approach, one not so modern as described above. I mean really, really diet...the old fashioned way like count calories, avoid sugar and carbs and all of that stuff. BUT...I am not thinking 2014 is a year I plan to engage in that activity ...or ever!!
Let's see...these concoctions go by the sophisticated names of smoothies, fat flushes, body flushes, body detox.....whatever!!
Another interesting observation I have made is that quite often the folks on these diets as I have described have no need to diet at all. Usually their bodies are quite svelte, fit, whatever the correction description happens to be. ( Can't help but wonder if these kind of dieters have a severe case of constipation and need to smooth and flush!! Just a thought!!)
Now if I should decide to diet, I am thinking I would need to take a more serious approach, one not so modern as described above. I mean really, really diet...the old fashioned way like count calories, avoid sugar and carbs and all of that stuff. BUT...I am not thinking 2014 is a year I plan to engage in that activity ...or ever!!
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