Path of Life Home and School

Week 3 in Review

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 15:17:00 +0000

I'd like to start doing weekly reviews of our school, if nothing else but to have a scrapbook of our year that we can look back on. However, I'm starting at Week 3, as I didn't take many pics from first two weeks, and have already posted the ones I did take on my Facebook page. See the sidebar for an overview of our curriculum and the specific books we use, as well as our homeschooling philosophy.

In history, we learned about the Goths entering Rome. Besides our regular books, which can be viewed from the sidebar, we also used these:

Research was on Constantinople.

Michael's postcard from his visit:

(As you can see they both need penmanship practice! A challenge, especially for George. Not his strong suit. Also, although not in any way the school's fault, while at the public school for almost 2 years, they didn't get a lot of practice. The cursive I had started teaching them fell by the wayside. I totally understand this, as time was crunched there, and more time needed to be spent on keyboarding, which is much more needed in today's society. We'll be re-introducing penmanship in Week 6 -- see sidebar for the free practice sheets we'll be using. It'll be interesting seeing the progress.) But at least George understands what he researches, as he gives lively narrations about it at the dinner table!

George's postcard:

Written Narration

Michael's:

Michael remembered more he wanted to tell:

George's:

On Emporor Theodosius

Michael's:

George's:

Weekly Timeline

Michael's:

George's:

A little mapwork

Michael's:

George's (Wow. Bethlehem sure is big in George's little mind.):

Writing using
Institute for Excellence in Writing - Medieval-Based Writing Lessons (click to see)

I LOVE this program! They composed these on their own! Wonderful, wonderful curriculum that takes them step by step through the writing process. Only a little a day adds up to this.

The result is energetic, beautiful, clear, creative writing -- all with no burn-out.

The curriculum also includes vocabulary study. I didn't think I'd like this program,

as it seemed too "schooly." But I was pleasantly surprised.

Michael's:

George's:

Science - Research

I'm going to add in more science for Michael, as this doesn't seem to be enough for him.

They are also getting involved with Science Olympiad.

Michael's:

George's:

Science - Lab

(Experiment and Lab sheets)

Michael's Lab Sheet:

George's Lab Sheet:

The Experiment

Looks pretty accurate:

Shakespeare

This week we started A Mid-Summer Night's Dream

(I love reading Shakespeare aloud with a British accent.)

For Art Appreciation, we studied The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Giovanni Battista Cima:

For Poetry we're studying the works of Emily Dickinson all year.

We had deep discussions interpreting this week's poem!

Reading

The boys continued their reading of Mystery of the Silver Coins by Lois Walfrid Johnson, in which they're keeping worksheets that list their observations. The observations include Strong Moods, Great Lines, Life Lessons, Vivid Descriptions, New Vocabulary, and Plot Twists.

Our genre for the first few weeks is Biography.

Since beginning of school year, George has read biographies on John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, Isaac Newton, Nicola Tessla, and is now reading about Malcolm X. Michael has read biographies also on Muir and Thoreau (but at a deeper level and more challenging books than George's), as well as Archimedes, and Henry Ford. Next genre is Adventure, but that's not for a few more weeks.

Math

The boys worked through their respective math lessons, mostly still review from what they each learned last year.

Extra-Curricular

George took his first piano lesson from a neighbor who is a music teacher at our local public school. He LOVED it!! He's following in his biggest brother, Peter's, footsteps.

They had their first P.E class of the season at a local sports center. It was awesome! I love that it's two hours long.

They went to their Pokemon League and enjoyed lots of time with good friends.

Both boys participated in serving our community by volunteering at Crisis Assistance Ministry with us and their older siblings.

And last, but not least -- lots of outdoor play with friends!! We have a great neighborhood with lots of kids to play with. I'm very grateful for that. I'm listening to an epic Star Wars battle going on right now, just outside my window.

Great week! Excited about next one!

Our 2014 Schoolroom

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 02:03:00 +0000

You can see where we did school in our old home h ere. And this is where the boys and I do school now in this home. I love the planets the boys made. We store educational games under the coffee table for "free" time.

Below is a pic of one of our computer stations, and our reading couch. One of the reasons we loved this home is that it has these nice glass doors which we can shut to block off noise from other parts of the house while we're doing school.

Music lessons and partial library, with a few science and art supplies. (I need about 8 more bookcases for all our books!) George and Peter play piano, and Pauline plays guitar. Her guitar teacher comes to our home and they have practice in the adjoining room. Again, the glass doors come in handy so we can be doing stuff in the other parts of the house without disrupting their lessons.

Below is my spot. Everything I need is within arm's reach. Even the bug collection on top of the shelf. ;)

I love this bookcase with storage underneath that belonged to my grandfather. Most of our formal curriculum for this year fits in here, with room for some supplies underneath. We store the bulk of our arts and crafts supplies, science supplies, and big stuff on a shelf in the garage.

I need to hang up the U.S. map rolled up there. We're studying the Middle Ages this year, so we've only been using the world map so far.

We store the boy's binders here -- they have a separate binder for each subject in which to store their finished work.

My view.

Another computer station and filing cabinet for medical, personal, and school documents.

A map on the table comes in very handy. Whenever we're reading or talking about events, the boys always race to find it on the map.

Or the globe.

Our pencil and calendar station.

This is where we retire with our history and literature read-alouds near the end of our school day. We have our best discussions in this room. The boys like doing their Mark-It Maps on the floor in here when we do geography.

And that's our schoolroom set-up for this year. :)

Papa

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:39:00 +0000

I am posting a copy of this short letter sent out about Papa Richard today from one of his other daughters. I'm still crying -- everything in it is so true, as me and my family have all experienced this from him. He will always be in my heart and I can hear him encouraging me on and believing in me. He was a true Papa. His love was unconditional.

Dear Family and Friends,

I thought I (daughter Mandy) would share with you all from my perspective the last couple of days I had with Papa Richard. On Tuesday when I saw Papa trying to weed wacking I went over to see if I could help. Normally he would tell me NO! and send me on my merry way, but this time he let me do it for him. As a way to say thank you he took us out for supper. He didn't eat much and said he wasn't hungry not even for ICE CREAM! For breakfast on Wednesday he ate only a yogurt which is highly unusual as we would always have bagels and cream cheese. In the afternoon Papa came over and talked with me about many things. He told me some plans and then said how he appreciated and loved me as much as if I was their biological child. Papa meant the world to me! Many of you know how he just stepped in and would help. He also believed in me. Papa always would say how he wished there were more people that would believe in someone even if they failed and give them a human example of Jesus. Many of us that have failed has been due to a lack of example, pressure, or just being desperate. ( I am so not using that as an excuse just a valid fact) Papa never looked down on me or any of those who he helped when we failed. Papa would give them time and energy and lead them in the right direction if they wanted it. He gave me the strength in the face of extreme struggle. When others said I'd fail he would come to me and encourage me and say those four beautiful words to me. I BELIEVE IN YOU! Because of the example Papa gave me and my two boys I am determined to keep my lamp for Christ burning brightly. I want to encourage all those who also lost a Papa, Grandpa he believed in you that you can also shine for Christ. Let's do that not only for Papa, but for ourselves and Christ. I know Papa helped many people I am not the only one I am just the one who lived the closest and was able to be in touch every day. Papa talked about each one and when one would call he would know exactly which category you were in whether it was daughter, sister, brother, or son he could name you all. Each and every one of us he loved with a passion unlike any parent. We were all very blessed to be touched by his example and love.

I don't know what will come out of this family letter, but I hope and pray that God leads another person to take up the burden for others that Papa had. Let's continue to pray for Mama as she goes about her days that she will have strength to continue on. Please be respectful of her time right now and let's send cards now instead of phone calls.

In Him,
Daughter Mandy

Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Polishing My Mirror - Everyday Gyaan

Winter

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:17:00 +0000

We had a master violinist (my mother actually found him on the subways of New York City) and a concert pianist play Vivaldi at our wedding, although they did Spring instead of Winter (we had a spring wedding). It was breathtaking, as the following is...

I love the build-up in the beginning, leading up to a magnificent crescendo, right at 1:19 (you can see the timer at the bottom by moving your mouse toward the bottom).

It makes your heart want to SING!!

Favorite Bach

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:37:00 +0000

This piece makes my spirit leap up. If you're not moved by this beautiful, beautiful music, you may need to have your heart checked for activity.

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)

Harpsichord Concerto in d minor, Wq.23 (1748)

Now listen to it again with the speaker turned up and your eyes closed.

a free spirit

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:26:00 +0000

Who doesn't love Maria's outspoken joy and vitality in The Sound of Music?
Or when she twirls around at the foot of the Alps:

To me, Maria was the epitome of a joyful, free spirit.

My friends and family have always told me I was born with a free spirit.

Growing up, I didn't even try to meet others' expectations -- I was truly an unhindered, free spirit -- sometimes to an unhealthy degree, where I wasn't responsible in the everyday things of life. I brought a lot of heartache to myself and others. But also great joy and fullness. I lived deeply and passionately, experiencing things that some people only dream of.

Over the years, my free spirit was slowly smothered.
Maybe it was due to the subtle decline into
meeting others' expectations for approval and acceptance,
also to an unhealthy degree at times.
Especially in the past two decades or so; in my 30's and 40's.

Some was due to trying to achieve "Christian reserve,"
as the Anabaptists call it --
a very valuable character trait in their eyes.
The thinking is that it's prideful to express yourself
so we have to strive to be "sober" in personality (i.e., somber).
It's looked down upon to laugh loudly
or to express too much emotion.
Sometimes it would even be preached from the pulpit.
Very repressive.
It seems so absurd now, looking back.

But, over the years, through our many different life experiences,
I've learned that it comes down to balance,
as my loving Uncle Butch has reminded me in the past.
I'm learning the meaning of TRUE freedom.

I'm getting my free spirit back
and becoming joyful and passionate about life once again.
I made the mistake of throwing out the "good" while throwing out the "bad."

Another free spirit:

When I read the Psalms, and come across the word "delight,"
this is what I've always pictured --
Snoopy dancing with his head up and his arms out.
Pure delight and freedom.
A free spirit.

Linking up with Imperfect Prose today!

Also Be-Bop-A-Blog-Hop.

on balance

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:21:00 +0000

I was asked a hypothetical question once, as an ice-breaker in a group --
you know, to get to know each other better. The question was this:

"If you could be any tool, what tool would you be and why?"

One said a hammer, one said a saw, among other answers.
I wish I could remember the reasons they gave but I can't.

I didn't have to think twice and automatically knew which one I would be.
I would be a level.

Because I've always strived to be level-headed and balanced.
Not that I always was, but that's been my goal most of my life.
Maybe I craved it since I came from a chaotic and unbalanced childhood.

I still have a long way to go on achieving balance,
but I try to keep it in mind even when I make little everyday decisions.
It's really challenging for me at times to remain balanced.
But I think I'm pretty level-headed.
(I'm sure some may disagree!)

My friend Heather knows of my quest for balance,
as we've shared our thoughts on it.
She gave me a quote in a frame that encourages me. It says:

BALANCE
To bring into harmony the things that matter most in life.

When I pass by it,
it reminds me not to spend a lot of time on things that don't matter.
That's a huge subject, because what matters to some may not matter to others.

For me, it's remembering to take time to breathe,
time to bond with my loved ones daily in a meaningful, deep way.
It's connecting with others.
It's also taking time for solitude,
time to connect with God.

Of course, we gotta get our stuff done too -- our work.
But even that can be enjoyable
when it's balanced with all the other things in life.
And all the other stuff shouts for our attention.
It's not like we have to be sure to make time for it.
It'll mostly always get done.

I read in a book once that the three essentials we need
to balance and make time for in life are
- work (our occupation)
- service (to our community and those in need)
-play (leisure and free time)

Yes, a level would be a handy tool to be.

What tool would you be?

Linking up with Blog It Forward Tuesday.

Spiritual Nourishment (Real Freedom)

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:26:00 +0000

"There is only one thing that will set us free,
and that is the truth.
Yet that is the one thing we have a hard time dealing with."
J. Meyer

Equipping4impact.org

Here is some spiritual nourishment I received today that I thought I'd share. If I didn't know it was someone else who wrote it, I'd swear it was me. (Somebody done been readin' my mail!)

"It was difficult for me to face the fact that I was insecure, I didn't like myself, and I needed God's help and healing in my life. If I had refused to face the truth, I would still be in bondage. I would still be trying to please people, addicted to approval in order to keep a position that I probably would not even like. As it is, I am free. I know who I am in God apart from what I do. I want to please people, but I am not devastated if they are not pleased with me. As long as I know my heart is right, that is sufficient. If I am doing the best I can and people don't approve, what they think will have to be between them and God."

"I want approval, but I am not addicted to it. I enjoy it, but if I have to live without it, I can. I went through the pain of facing truth and change, and it brought me freedom. The only way out of bondage is to go through what we need to go through as we move toward freedom."

Prayer: "God, help me to face the truth about my life that I might be set free from any bondages that hold me back. Help me to change what needs to go".
J. Meyer

Read about one of my personal experiences in this area here.

Linking up with Sunday Citar today.

Colors of Autumn

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:34:00 +0000

It was a beautiful day Saturday.
My son, Michael, and I took a nice walk
and were awed by the brilliant colors.
So I tried to capture it.

Fall, Leaves, Fall
by Emily Jane Brontë

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;

Lengthen night and shorten day;

Every leaf speaks bliss to me

Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow

Blossom where the rose should grow;

I shall sing when night’s decay

Ushers in a drearier day.

Autumn Woods
by James S. Tippett

I like the woods
In autumn
When dry leaves hide the ground,
When the trees are bare
And the wind sweeps by
With a lonesome rushing sound.
I can rustle the leaves
In autumn
And I can make a bed
In the thick dry leaves
That have fallen
From the bare trees
Overhead.

Grab a cup of coffee and head over to Sweet Shot Tuesday
to peruse some great photography from other bloggers.

Stories that Need to be Told

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:43:00 +0000

The Help

My neighbor lent me a book called The Help and I just finished reading it. We also saw the movie, and it was one of the best films I've ever seen. It had every element of a good story in it. And it is such an eye-opening story.

It's a story set in the deep south during the early 60's, when there was so much unrest in our country.

It's a story about ignorance and denial.

It's a story about courage. Courage to tell a story that needed to be told.

There were a lot of angry people because of the telling of the story, but it needed to be told. There were also a lot of freed people because of the telling of the story. The truth needed to come out. A story exposing realities can be mighty uncomfortable. But there was freedom in the truth being told.

There are so many stories that need to be told. I have one. I hope I have the courage to tell it.

Note: I don't want to minimize that time in our history by calling it just "a story." It's so much more than a story -- it's our history, bad and good. I'm sure this book has served to validate some things that have been long denied and, for others, to see things from a different perspective, as sometimes only a story can accomplish. My hope is that we, including myself, take these lessons into account in our daily lives.

This post is not an advertisement or paid endorsement. Just my own opinion.

More Autumn Baking (Chocolate Sesame Cookies)

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:50:00 +0000

I found a wonderful gourmet cookie recipe.
It blends the two unexpected flavors of chocolate and sesame.
I don't like overly sweet treats, and these are just right.

It calls for:

8 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted

Here's the recipe:

1. Melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in tahini. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs until frothy. Add brown sugar and vanilla; beat until well combined and light. Beat in chocolate mixture. Beat in flour mixture just until combined. Cover dough; chill about 30 minutes, until easy to handle.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls; roll balls in sesame seeds to coat. Place on cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until puffed and set on the bottoms. Transfer cookies to wire rack; cool completely.

Sooooo delicious...moist and fudgy-brownie like on the inside...
With a light little crunch on the outside,
and a slight nutty taste of the toasted sesame seeds and tahini.

My teenage son and his two friends bounded into the kitchen one day
just as I was taking them out of the oven.

They snarfed about a dozen or more down in what seemed like a few seconds
before bouncing out the door again.

Note: These are not snarfing cookies!
They are gourmet take-a-slow-bite-and-savor cookies.

They were a huge hit at our lady's neighborhood Bible study.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm...

For my delicious PUMPKIN BREAD recipe, click here.

Contentment and Peace in the Home

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:14:00 +0000

Here is a post I enjoyed today that most of us can relate to:

Confessions of Perfectionists
(Click on above)

Enjoy.

A Stroll through our Neighborhood

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:26:00 +0000

We head out going down the wooded trail.

Through the woods

Down another sidewalk

A ride on the bike lane

Through the tree-lined parkway

We pass the lake before our street.

Down our street...

And home.

A beautiful autumn day.

ships in distress

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:01:00 +0000

Ships in Distress off a Rocky Coast Ludolf Backhuysen 1667

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

Do we really live? Or merely exist, enduring from day to exhausting day? While what I do is important, what I am is more important.

Do I have energy saved up for my relationship with my spouse or close friends? Or are we like passing ships in the night on a dark and lonely sea? Do we hear the distant horn, the distress signals of our friends, families, neighbors and others, but aren't able to see the other ships through the fog of our own busyness?

Nach dem Tornado 1899 Winslow Homer
Art Institute of Chicago
Source: Wikipedia

When I'm feeling burned out, I need to ask myself: How is my inner life? My relationships? Are they deep and passionate and true? Have I taken the time to make them so? If we're mothers, how are our families? Our husbands? Are they calm and contented? Or as frazzled as we are? As a wife and mother, I set the tone for my home.

Do I have time for God? For solitude; to calm my anxious mind? To breathe deeply and be grateful for every breath.

At night, if we have children, do we try to get them to bed fast so that we can get more done and drop dead in our beds from sheer exhaustion? Or have I paced myself and taken care of needs so that I'm able to relax, savor and enjoy my children, building deep and lasting bonds? If it's not the latter, then I know I need to cease striving and reevaluate what I'm doing and why. "Busyness is the enemy of spirituality, as I shared here.

Sometimes, though, when in distress, we have to be forced to reevaluate. We had the minister and his wife at our old church stop by our home one afternoon. They were upset with my husband and I because we weren't filling their expectations of attending both back-to-back church services one Sunday. We only attended one. Instead, we had chosen to take a meal to a very sick family, after seeing off out-of-town friends that we had hosted for the weekend. Then we needed to take the time to rest and recover from our busy weekend with guests. I share this to make the point that others won't always agree or try to understand our choices to not participate in their agendas, but we still have to follow God's leading, like we did that day. They were very unhappy with us -- but we knew we did the right thing.

Consequently, that confrontation ended up being a blessing in disguise, as the minister's wife brought out a lot of other issues she had with my husband and me, which we hadn't known were busting at the seams. She pushed us to take a long, hard look at our lives, our choices and our walk with God. Sometimes we need that extra shove. God used that incident to bless us with our current situation, and we learned a huge lesson about freedom. We hadn't been listening to that inner voice, so the choice was made for us. For that, we're grateful.

So...we needed to listen to that still, small voice within us; instead of the shouting of other people. That still, small voice instead of the foghorn.

That said, we had to let go of some of ours, and mostly, others' expectations. It's not always easy. But, we trade the better for the best. "Best" may not seem so to others, and that's okay -- it's in the eyes of the beholder.

Disclaimer:

"We teach best what we most need to learn."
~ Richard Bach

Time for Autumn Baking (Pumpkin Bread)

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:39:00 +0000

The children each picked out a pumpkin.
We decided to not waste any of it.
So we made fresh pumpkin bread and roasted the seeds.

Here's George all happy with himself:

Getting the gunk out.

Yum...

I then proceeded to separate the seeds from the muck,
thinking it wouldn't be that difficult of a job.
After an hour and a half, I thought to myself,

"WHY, just WHY, am I doing this?!?
Why don't I just bite the bullet
and go BUY a can of pumpkin at the store
like every other normal human being??"

But those thoughts didn't deter me.

I wanted to try the bread with fresh flesh just once
to see if it was superior to canned pumpkin.
It was.

After the long separation period, I pureed the flesh in the food processor:

And I got this from only four small pumpkins
(12 cups, which is enough for 18 loaves!):

I was feeling mighty proud of myself by now.
I took more pictures as to get a lot of mileage out of it.

Looks nice, no?

I found a good recipe for pumpkin bread, then tweaked it a little for more flavor
(Pumpkin bread always tastes kind of bland to me).

It was absolutely HEAVENLY. Melted in our mouths.
Moist and delicious with a slightly crunchy crust.
But it's the flavor that really makes it.

It really was the best pumpkin bread we've ever eaten.
(See recipe at end of post).

And then we rinsed, dried, salted and roasted the seeds:

We were buying pumpkin seeds at the store before now.
Pumpkin seeds are full of Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, tryptophan
(which is a calming agent), iron, protein, and are
just one of the most nutrient-rich foods you can eat.
They also have anti-inflammatory benefits, they lower cholesterol,
and are a rich source of healthful minerals.
In case you didn't know.

Plus, they're wonderful to munch on.
And that's good, because we have 3 ziploc bagfuls of seeds
from the four pumpkins.

Here's my pumpkin bread recipe:

1 cup oil
3 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 cups pureed pumpkin
2/3 cup water
3 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt

Beat oil, sugar and eggs well. Add pumpkin and water (will be very runny). Sift together dry ingredients and stir into batter. Beat well and pour into greased and floured loaf pans. Bake approximately 50 to 60 minutes on 350 degrees. Makes 3 loaves. Best if eaten warm with melted butter on top!

For another yummy autumn treat (Black Bottom Mini Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Treats), click here.

For my Chocolate-Sesame cookies, click here.

~ Happy Autumn ~

Empathy

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:20:00 +0000

EMPATHY --

the ability to put ourselves in others' shoes;

feeling the pain with hurting people.

It's not about trying to change people into what we think is best. It's about meeting people where they are. It's about listening without shoving our advice down their throats. It's about "knowing where they're coming from."

But how can we put ourselves in others' shoes if we're not willing to learn about the ground others' walk (or have walked) on? If my ground is the only right ground, then other ground is usually avoided. It's difficult to put ourselves in others' shoes if we remain overly sheltered, not seeing how others' live -- not being involved in others' lives and struggles, people from different walks of life.

I've eaten with the homeless in DC on more than one occasion, sat in the Oval Office, lived in near-poverty and lived in luxury; city, country, and in between. I'm excited about the many more life experiences to come, and mainly to get to know and understand others. Life is so RICH!

My life experiences, whether perceived as good or bad, are there to teach me. As I heard someone say recently, "Our life experiences don't happen TO us, they happen FOR us."

Our experiences living with the plain groups were also deep learning experiences, and I hope to write a book some day about it. My husband and I have chronicled those experiences through journaling, and we scribble notes and ideas as we talk. But I'll wait until some time passes so I can be more objective and have developed a bit more empathy. :)

Empathy allows for understanding. "Understanding is the beginning of wisdom," as the Psalm reminds us. So the opposite of that would mean "ignorance is unwillingness or inability to understand." In the past when I would say, "I just don't understand how....," I was acknowledging the fact that I lacked empathy, thereby lacking wisdom.

I would say that empathy is one of the most important character qualities that we can develop in life. To be able to say honestly and really feel it, "But for the grace of God, there go I," and to have true compassion for all, realizing that if it was us, we'd want that same non-judgmental treatment, understanding and love. You never know, some day it just MAY be you.

Do we greet the dirty homeless man with a smoking cigarette hanging out of his mouth the same as we do our pastor or leader when walking into our place of worship? Do we bless him with the same understanding, compassionate smile? That could be the only smile he gets that day. That smile could say to him, "You're important, you matter, and I understand."

Or do we turn our head away in disgust, thinking "I'm glad I'm not like that."

Do we have the decency and courage to look him in the eye, or do we abruptly divert our eyes onto the sidewalk, scared to acknowledge him? Acknowledgment is a great human need.

So, deep down we're all alike. We just have different circumstances and obstacles -- different lessons to learn.

"Some great people make others feel small,
but the greatest people of all make others feel tall."

A Look at Autumn Homes

noreply@blogger.com (jimi) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Pauline and I took a walk down our street.
We couldn't help but take pictures of some of the lively decorations.
(Or should I say deadly?)

I love that wreath.

Happy little ghosts.

Not too happy.

I like the way the fall leaves reflect in the window.

Eeeeeeeeeeek!

For INDOOR fall home decorating ideas, click here:
The Inspired Room