July 26th, 2010
Chapter Nine in “A Thomas Jefferson Education” lists Harvard, Princeton and Wythe skills.
In it, Dr. DeMille points out, that while both the Harvard and Princeton skills will give you the ability to earn good grades in school and success in a career; they do very little to win happiness.
He then provides a list of items that faculty and students at George Wythe came up with that should not only be considered; but also included as part of your education so that you will be prepared for the future, and ultimately success.
Two things in the Wythe list are the focus of today’s post.
They are…
The ability to establish, maintain and improve lasting relationships…
and…
The ability to keep one’s life in proper balance.
I highly recommend revisiting this chapter, if you haven’t read it in awhile.
This past week…
was such a whirlwind of activity and emotion…
that I was left trying to figure out…
not only what I’ve actually done…
but what I’ve celebrated and accomplished!
This post begins a year ago…
when Symbria Patterson heard Sons #1-#3…
play at another event…
we traveled to Cedar City…
to celebrate.
Symbria asked them then and there…
to return this past Saturday, July 24th…
to participate in the Pioneer Day event…
that she was in charge of …
where arranging any and all activities and food were concerned.
It was a big job.
Basically…
it is a celebration surrounding the founders of the Mormon faith…
settling in Utah and declaring that this is where they would stay.
Pretty humorous for a lot of folks involved…
because the Helms don’t share the same faith.
In fact…
We were quite possibly…
some of the only people attending and participating in this event…
that aren’t Latter Day Saints!
But you see…
so much of true statesmanship revolves around the fact…
that you know your faith…
your convictions and beliefs…
and you…
then seek to understand and know others.
I love so many people in Cedar City.
Many of them…
and the relationships we’ve built and celebrated…
have served in valuable ways…
to enhance my own understanding…
of Leadership Education…
and my experiences within the community.
Of course…
our boys readily committed.
Lynn and Symbria Patterson…
along with their daughter Sara…
not only always provide people…
with incredible hospitality…
their friendship is to be cherished.
Oh, the things that you experience…
when working alongside them!
Let’s just say….
much of the time…
the events can be likened to hair on fire…
mach speed…
surreal situations…
that always ultimately work out…
but can leave you sweating profusely…
in the interim.
It always promises to be not only interesting…
but enriching…
challenging…
and a lot of fun as well!
The balance piece alone…
Is precious to us.
As very urban…
often insanely busy…
Southern Californians…
The change invites us…
to take a deep breath…
Experience country life…
and small town living.
It allows you to wake up…
to the persistent yet cheerful greeting of roosters..
to participate in the local home town parade…
to participate in an agrarian life first hand.
It’s a community that’s tight knit…
Proud…
Hard working.
A reminder of all that this great nation was founded on…
and needs to continue to nurture and celebrate…
in order to maintain freedom.
No….
We don’t just choose…
to build lasting relationships…
in our Leadership Education community…
on the local level.
Why….
even here on TommyMom…
this ever growing community…
not only celebrates several states…
but now two countries as well!
Can it be exhausting…
as well as somewhat daunting…
to faithfully build?
Absolutely!
However…
the personal…
as well as the collective rewards…
of relationships and balance gained…
bring growth…
diversity and perspective…
absolutely necessary to the development of you.
We are traveling home happy and rejuvenated…
feeling a measure of success…
regarding what we contributed to this event…
as well as pondering what we learned from others.
How about you?
How are your community building efforts…
and adventures coming along?
Don’t forget….Wednesday is the giveaway of “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh!
Filed under Holiday Happenings, Leadership Education | Comments (10)
Maureen Feist » Monday, July 26, 2010, 7:40 am
Teri, I loved reading this! I especially enjoyed seeing the turquoise pioneer crocs. I’ll have to find me a pair of those!
[Reply]
Teri Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Maureen,
He chose that color himself! Pretty stylish, eh? He has loved them and worn them everywhere! XO, ;0)
[Reply]
Tammie » Monday, July 26, 2010, 8:58 am
Teri,
Another great post with great insight, and great committment to community and vision. Thanks for always being a “great” example!
[Reply]
Teri Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
You, my friend, are no slouch yourself! ;0)
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Heather Remund » Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 8:44 am
Teri,
I agree you are a great example someone who inspires us in the Tommymom community to listen for the call and heed the need. I think that your post also inspires us to be open to others who may have different belief systems which is refreshing because you don’t always see that. I think that it is the foundational security of knowledge in your own faith that allows this openness and also a life that is devoted to learning. Right now our community involvement is tied to our local AYSO where my husband is the Regional Commissioner which makes me Mrs. RC and we both also volunteer as coaches for our 3 kids teams. Our kids when not playing, volunteer their time in the snack bar or on the field helping with set up and tear down and whatever else we might have to do on any given Sat. We have been evolving in our involvement since we signed up 5 yrs. ago as something fun for the kids to play to die hard soccer fans to wanting to see the AYSO philosophies being given more than lip service to wanting to give kids a positive experience in our community and raise the voice of what positive coaching, team spirit and leadership can accomplish on and off the field. It is a labor of love for us.
[Reply]
Teri Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Thank you for these comments…you are too kind. ;0)
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Stephanie » Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 9:55 am
Looks like a fun event! How cool is that that we were also celebrating pioneer day up at our Ranch in Utah, way up in the mountains past Park City. It’s kind of cool to go up there as there is no cell service, no internet, no tv…just you, nature, and relatives. Almost like being a pioneer(without the real hardships).
Although young people today might see the absence of those 3 mentioned conveniences as an unbearable hardship 
Thanks for sharing all the fun pictures and stories. Neat that we were celebrating together in the same State. 
[Reply]
Teri Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
:0)
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symbria Patterson » Thursday, July 29, 2010, 11:26 am
With out the Helms entire crews willingness to serve and give and give this celebration would have been missing the key components,music and FUN! I do food but not the other two.And no one does does it like you all. Tons of love and thanks.We just feel blessed to know you and have you for friends.
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Teri Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
YOU?!…Not know how to have fun?!?!? PLEEAASSE! We feel the same way about all of you, so consider this an official “love fest!”
We would do it again in a heartbeat and honestly feel that WE are the lucky ones. Are you feelin’ the love yet?!? XO ;0)
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