Friday, 29 July 2011

Choices

It is not our abilities 
that show what we truly are. 
It is our choices. 
– J.K. Rowling

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Kindness

The best portion of a good man’s life
His little, nameless, unnumbered acts 
of kindness and of love. 
– Wordsworth

Monday, 25 July 2011

Echo

Life is an echo; 
what you send out comes back.   
- Chinese proverb

Friday, 22 July 2011

Bounce

Life will kick you around 
like a World Cup soccer ball.   
Keep your bounce.   
– Regina Brett

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

Tracks

We will be known forever 
by the tracks we leave.   
- Native American proverb

Monday, 18 July 2011

Awaken

One mind awake can awaken another.   
The second awake can awaken 
their next-door brother.   
Three awake can awaken the town 
by turning the whole place upside down.   
Many awake can make such a fuss 
that they finally awaken the rest of us.
– Unknown

Friday, 15 July 2011

July 15, 2011 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer

   Myth: a tale with supernatural characters or events.  

   Truth: state of being true.

  Too often we dismiss myths and folklore because we believe that they are not factual, or historical accurate.  What we need to remember is that behind every legend, fable, fairytale, folktale, and myth, there is an element of truth and wisdom waiting to be found.

   A common theme in Celtic and Irish myths and folktales is that of someone travelling by boat, through the mists to the Otherworld (Avalon), which was a strange, yet beautiful,  land with rivers flowing east and west. 

  It was not until I took a geography course in university that I discovered that Canada is the only geographical region with rivers flowing east and west.  No one living outside of Canada would believe it possible for rivers to flow in any direction other than north-south, unless they were familiar with geography.  It would be an unbelievable myth to them.

   It has been proven that it is entirely possible that in ancient times someone could have travelled by boat from Ireland to the St. Lawrence River.  That person would have travelled through lots of mist, plus the land and people they would have encountered certainly would seem to be from an “other” world.

   Discovering the truth in myths is not about debunking the myth.  Rather, it enhances the value of the myth for each of us as we apply the wisdom of the myth to our lives.

   We need to open ourselves to the underlying truth in our society’s myths and legends.  


Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zV4a3NBGcndwey6Eqmbq3nF1hMy273Cy/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Mundane

It's in the minute details of mundane life 
that we play out our greater...
personal destinies. 
- Colette Baron-Reid

Monday, 11 July 2011

Past

The past is a guidepost, 
not a hitching post.   
– L Thomas Woldcroft
 

Friday, 8 July 2011

Focus

There are many great things I want to do 
and build and ship and start,
but I just don’t have the time to do them.   
However, I’m finding that the real problem 
is not my lack of time -- it’s my lack of focus.  
 - Shawn Blanc

Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Humble

To be humble simply means
to be realistic about yourself.   
– Dallas Willard

Monday, 4 July 2011

Loss of Control

You fear loss of control, 
but that has already happened.   
Ride the wave.  
- unknown

Friday, 1 July 2011

July 1, 2011 Chautauqua



From the Editor's Computer

   A couple years ago, at a birthday party, I participated in a discussion on how to juggle.  One fellow told us the secret to juggling, and then pointed out his own lack of juggling proficiency.  I remarked that he was obviously a great teacher.  He, unfortunately, took my praise as an insult along the lines of those who can’t, teach.

   What I said was meant as high praise.  We all tend to think that the most proficient at a particular skill would make the best teachers, however, that is not always the case.  Usually, it is the opposite.  They are so proficient, and the skill comes so naturally, they have no idea how to break down the steps to teach it.

   A truly great teacher, on the other hand, may not be entirely proficient in their particular area of skill or interest, yet they have mental mastery over the sequences and shortcuts, and more important, they know how to communicate those to a beginner in the best manner.

   The fellow at the party was a great teacher.  I could tell by his manner.  I wish I could have told him that before we were all interrupted.  

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1smCI2DIC5s05OpXK74yjToTk5JaNbgzH/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.
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