Friday, 30 September 2011

Disappointment

Disappointment to a noble soul 
is what cold water is to burning metal; 
it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, 
but never destroys it.  
 – Eliza Tabor

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Nurtured

I think people don't place a high enough value
on how much they are nurtured 
by doing whatever it is
that totally absorbs them. 
- Jean Shinoda Bolen

Monday, 26 September 2011

Strength

Strong feelings do not necessarily 
make a strong character. 
The strength of a man 
is to be measured by the power 
of the feelings he subdues 
not by the power of those 
which subdue him. 
- William Carleton

Friday, 23 September 2011

Postpone

Do not postpone your happiness until you find
the perfect relationship or your ideal job. 
Experience the aliveness of each moment; 
focus on what truly makes you happy, 
creates love, and brings you gladness 
- here and now. This is the path of the heart, 
and I assure you that when you make 
this path a constant choice you will experience 
a successful, abundant, and joyful life. 
- Lynn A. Robinson, Divine Intuition

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Secrets

When the start point is that you get everything 
you want or something better, 
there is no need to keep secrets.   
– Lyle Estill

Monday, 19 September 2011

Hero

One must think like a hero to behave
like a merely decent human being. 
- May Sarton

Friday, 16 September 2011

September 16, 2011 Chautauqua



From the Editor's Computer


  Last week someone sent me a short video of Miss America contestants answering the following question:  "Should math be taught in schools?" 

   Only one of the contestants asked if it was a joke.  Of the rest that were interviewed, their answers ranged from "every child should have the right to learn what they want to" to "no, because math is not Biblically sound" to "I have no idea what math is so I can't say if this is a good idea or now." 


   While the video clip was meant to be a joke, it highlights a very serious problem we have in our world.  There are truly people out there who have no idea of some of the most basic concepts of life.

  Children in North America are not being educated and are growing up ignorant of the basic knowledge skills needed to cope in life.  And it is not the children's fault.

   I also have to say that it isn't entirely the teachers' fault either.  On one hand, in Alberta, they are mandated to teach according to what Alberta Education decides should be taught, and how it should be taught.  On the other hand, since we have teachers here in Alberta who are unable to read and write, or do basic math, themselves, it is virtually impossible for them to effectively teach the students these skills.

   I personally believe that a child's education is not entirely the responsibility of the school.  Education can, and should, happen in the home and in the community as well.  Unfortunately, we have parents who went through the entire education system and can't read, write, or do basic math. 

   Computers, calculators and other gadgetry do not make smarter people.  Besides, one still needs to be able to read and count to use them properly.

   No wonder so many children, and adults for that matter, have no self-esteem or respect for others or themselves.  Without the ability to read and do math, one can not really function in society.  Their lives must be very frustrating, whether they will admit it or not.

   Ignorance is not bliss. 
 
Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WtjkISVx8T9yR3c7sz_gdxWNAC7-Ru3R/view?usp=sharing

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

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Choices

Your life is the sum result 
of all the choices you make, 
both consciously and unconsciously. 
If you can control the process of choosing, 
you can take control of
all aspects of your life. 
You can find the freedom that comes 
from being in charge of yourself.   
- Robert F. Bennett

Monday, 12 September 2011

Critic

If you gave your inner genius 
as much credence as your inner critic, 
you would be light years ahead 
of where you now stand. 
- Alan Cohen

Friday, 9 September 2011

Think

Think wrongly, if you please, 
but in all cases think for yourself. 
- Doris Lessing

Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Live

May you live all the days of your life.  
 - Jonathan Swift

Monday, 5 September 2011

Fearlessly

If you live fearlessly now, 
what will your life look like
a year from now?
- Unknown

Friday, 2 September 2011

September 2, 2011 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer


   This summer Mom and I took some road trips around the area, venturing off the beaten (mostly paved) path.

    On one adventure, we headed over to the west side of Gull Lake.  In the course of our drive, we viewed the lake from a boat launch, found the Cumming's Sawmill Historic site and then the Parkland Beach Store.  We drove by the Asker Lutheran Church and ended up at the Calmut Hall before making our way home.

   On the return trip from another adventure, that took us all the way to Crossfield to visit long-time friends, we slowed to view an old abandoned pioneer homestead in a coulee and then spotted a blue heron on the road in front of us.  It was a surprise as there was no standing water where we were driving.  On the same trip, we got up close to a number of crops as we meandered through a field - yes, we were still on a legitimate gravel road.  After the crops, we shortly found ourselves practically at the base of one of the giant windmills southwest of Trochu.

   For a change of pace, we decided to head east one day after church.  We ended up in Donalda where we had a great visit at the Gallery with a View.  After lunch at the Drop In, we continued on our way and drove through the coulees.  We ended up touring the Diplomat Mine site and  Big Knife Provincial Park.  As we drove along south we drove through a tunnel - a very British-looking touch on the prairies.  As well, we saw four miniature horses.  On our way back from Stettler later that evening mom challenged me to find a road I’d never been on before (just so you know, all roads from Stettler seem to lead to Ol’ Macdonalds Campground).  I accepted the challenge and before long we were driving up to the Union Hall, and after that, the Tail Creek Cemetery.

   The best road trips involve travelling down roads that look interesting because we can’t see exactly where they will lead.  Often there is a hill or a bend in the road.  It is the unknown that lures us down that route to see what we will find and where we will end up. 

   So why do we want our journey through life to be straight and narrow with very prominent road signs to guide us? 
 
Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1odiaPt_7Fufz60MUf5_McDL-1iDSyu8Q/view?usp=sharing

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