untitled

looking into the mirror

there's something about my eyes

they were always the colour blue  

but now more blue 

heavy with sadness

on the verge of tears 

full of regret 

oh, to be happy again 

Cogito, ergo sum

René Descartes famously states, "I think, therefore I am". 

Since I'm interested in teaching, I'm wondering how this philosophical statement can be modified for teachers and other educators?

I propose: 

        I learn, therefore I teach.

       

Any other thoughts? Share below.

For the love of research

A friend of mine went to a wedding this past weekend. She told me that she had a great time. I'm glad she did, but thinking about weddings (and going to one) is the last thing I want to do. I can't even watch a Hallmark movie. Romantic comedies are out! 

Weddings are expensive events. The ring, dress, venue. But weddings are also about love, right? They're about celebrating two imperfect people, coming together, vowing to spend their lives together. Perhaps they're even best friends. 

Oddly enough, studies have been conducted on marriage and happiness and what it means to marry your best friend. Murray refers to one such study, published by the National Bureau of Economics Research. Murray writes:

One reason the study gives for why marriages remain so satisfying, is the role of friendship. The study found that the “well-being effects of marriage are about twice as large for those whose spouse is also their best friend.”  

Since we’re talking about marriage and friendship, I thought I would end this post with a few good friendship quotes:

“Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up.” — Thomas J. Watson

“Friendship is accepting a person with all their qualities — good and bad.” — Mohanlal

“If you are ever lucky enough to find a weirdo, never let them go.” — Matthew Gray Gubler 

“Real friendship, like real poetry, is extremely rare — and precious as a pearl.” — Tahar Ben Jelloun

“Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.” — Oscar Wilde

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.” — Henri Nouwen

“True friends are always together in spirit.” — L.M. Montgomery

Grit: the power of passion and perseverance

Do you have grit? 

When it comes to learning, Angela Lee Duckworth argues grit is essential. 

 

How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are

I was having an Annie Lennox moment when I came across this TED video. I encourage you to grab a tea, take a 20 minute break and watch it. 

Andrew Solomon talks about how his struggles growing up have made him into the man he is today. Solomon says that it is through struggle and adversity that we can “Forge meaning and build identity”. He explains, “Forging meaning is about changing yourself” and “Building identity is about changing the world”. 

How/what will you change today?

earshot

Birds chirping 

Engines accelerating 

Horns honking 

Hum of traffic 

passing by 

Air conditioner spinning 

Dogs barking

Neighbour shouting

Airplanes making their way 

through a cloudy sky 

Cacophony of sound 

That used to bother me 

Now I welcome 

To drown the sadness

Chaos inside my head

It’s the silence I dread

Thank you

I would like to thank everyone who reached out to me over the past three months — offering me virtual hugs and encouraging words. I recognize that all of you are busy with your own lives. Your married with kids or travelling abroad or time strapped, writing dissertations. I haven't talked to some of you in 20 years. Thank you for caring. Thank you for trying to "fix" me. I am truly grateful.