My friend Michelle Moran, is pretty much everything that I’m not.
Graceful, soft spoken…
one of those people that could pull off being a runway model on twenty minutes notice because of the way that they always carry themselves…you get the idea!
She also happens to be a very talented jewelry designer…
and an almost-from-day-one avid supporter of TommyMom.
She made this beautiful necklace last year, and I simply “had to have it!”
I can’t tell you how many people stop me and ask me where I got it.
I believe that most Americans are really exceptional people.
And that they define patriotism.
“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President.” ~ T. Roosevelt
I think that we’ve fallen into a trap of taking freedom for granted…
and not thinking that it always costs us something.
We’ve become a nation of polarized people…
with a chasm between “both sides of the aisle.”
Whatever that “aisle” means.
The next time you’re tempted to blurt something out…
without really thinking…
how about asking yourself if it is honestly in the best interest of our country?
I’m not talking about taking stands for what is right…
I’m talking about honestly seeing the person next to you as an American…
that more than likely loves this country as much as you do…
and making an effort to not polarize them as a human being.
We the people…
make or break our country.
Michelle has generously donated this necklace to TommyMom as a giveaway!
All you have to do is read the articles in the two links below…
and leave your comments.
Each and every comment…
from any and all posts this next week…
counts towards an entry to win this beautiful sterling and hammered copper necklace.
It doesn’t get any easier than this!
You have until next Wednesday to get it done!
I read this article over the long weekend…
as well as this one.
The first had really interesting, thought provoking information and statistics; as well as interesting points of view.
The second is one opinion…
but is undeniably in favor of Leadership Education principles being practiced.
Actually, they both are.
The need for; as well as the practice of, Leadership Education principles is all around you.
You just need to look and continue your own journey and pursuit…
through personal study and application.
I’m anxious to hear your comments after you’ve taken time to read the articles as well!
They’re not lengthy…
but give great opportunity for thought.
And I want to hear yours!
Happy Reading!
HHmmnnnn….to college or not? Indeed a tough choice; one to be carefully calculated for each individual. It is not a one size fits all solution. It was interesting to me to read that there is and will be a continuing need for the people in health industry that does not require a degree. My son is an EMT, and they receive little pay for being a first responder; which is curious to me. Perhaps when re thinking the college issue, we should re think the payscale as well.
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I’m going to read the articles – but first your entry today has inspired me to share a little project we are doing here at the Gandara Bug Academy… For Flag Day (June 14th) We are placing a small flag and a note in the yards of our neighbors: “She is a Grand Old Flag” and the symbol of America and what it means to be American – Happy Flag Day! I picked up several 3 packs for $1 at The Dollar Spot (Target). I hope some Tommy Mom readers will join us in this little project! – Christy… Now off to read the articles and comment again!
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Okay, article #2 was GREAT!!! I’m telling everyone to read Tommymom today! We are so becoming a society of sheep ready to leap off the ledge…..
And by the way Christy, I’ll be looking for my flag in the yard soon!
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It’s funny you’d post that skip college article today. Ben and I were just talking yesterday about the fact that you getting an education beyond H.S. does not necessarily guarantee success. Many of the world’s most successful individuals had no college education at all and some are H.S. drop outs.
I love that point that many of those postal workers could have purchased a home with the money they spent on tuition. Good point, I had never thought about that! And it would have been a better investment considering their career choice didn’t require that degree anyway.
Amen to this, “some high school graduates would be better served by being taught how to behave and communicate in the workplace.” It’s incredible how many young people (and older people) today have no clue about communication and just basic etiquette. Amazing!!
That first article was fantastic!! Thanks for sharing. And, coming from a person who wears no jewelry at all, that is a dang cool necklace Michelle made. What an incredible talent!
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I love Thomas Sowell! He is a genius and has enlightened me many times on things I was not aware of. Wow, brilliant, yet again! That was incredible!! What great points! I love it when others can articulate what I think, but cannot articulate so precisely. How true!!! I’m sending that on to many a friend and might just have to post it on my FB page. Though I do have many friends in education. Do you all think that might be too harsh on teachers or just those who push their opinions onto their students? Feedback, please? Thanks, Teri, for sharing such great articles. You’re going to need to have the “Teri report” so we can see all the articles you find interesting.
Awesome!!!
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Teri Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Teri » Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 4:48 pm
Edit This
I think that you have to really wisely choose your battles. Teaching, in my opinion, is one of the most maligned professions today! They are supposed to practically raise your children, teach them things that only parents should be responsible for in life, and do this with a 1 to often 40+ ratio! Really great teachers are having their hands tied more and more with government mandates and requirements that are actually TELLING them what THEY can teach and do. In reality, where in life are most people not trying to get a point across? Unfortunately, the classroom happens to be the most obvious of venues! There are still LOTS of phenomenal teachers by profession, and as always, the buck stops in the home FIRST.
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The first article was very thought provoking. I have to admit that sending the kids off to college seems to be an automatic barometer on whether or not they’ve ‘made it’ in the world or worse yet…whether you’ve done your job in teaching them. Yes, I know…true blue conveyor belt thinking here. I come by it honestly.
As my kids get older I’m going to have to have a major paradigm shift on what I think about college. I would be a lot easier if the extended family (in-laws) and future employers would also take internships as seriously as a college diploma! Personally, field experience can’t be replaced by books. I’ll take experience over most anything else.
Joelle
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My ‘fancy’ degree sits in a filing drawer – unused and It made my Mom so mad (because she paid for it). I used it for 10 years (using society’s definition of ‘using’) and then I choose to stay home and educate our children. I finally offered to pay my mom back so she’d get her panties unbunched
. I am a firm believer and always have been that college is not for everyone. I’d hope my Dr went to college – but the Mail Carrier?? Like the article said – not needed. My husband did not get a degree and he is seriously the smartest guy I know – I defer to him 90% of the time when I need help on my education. That’s funny to me – I have a degree and he knows more – much more!
I am dying with laughter over the dihydroxymonoxide – Thank heavens for Leadership Education and the power to think and decide for ourselves!
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I actually saw the comedians who played off the fake petition at some kind of rally and it was hilarious to hear people’s response things like “oh, I’ve heard of that before, this is so terrible and how frightening.” I don’t think that it is so much about vilifying teachers as it is about society in general being so willing to believe anything they hear. People have agendas some we agree with and some we do not but we have to know when to raise the red flag in our mind and say “wait a minute that doesn’t sound right.” Teachers are faced with much more responsibility than is truly in their job description and in my opinion some parents are too eager to hand over the reins when it comes to teaching values, morals, beliefs and true core tenants. I would doubt that many parents even know or ask about what is being taught in school. Kids are looking to adults for guidance and if they are not getting it in the home they are going to get it somewhere.
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Teri Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Great thoughts, Heather. Thank you for sharing them here. XO ;0)
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I’m back to comment on the other article that discussed whether college was the best bet after highschool and like Christy I have the degree and my husband doesn’t yet he has tremendous knowledge and can basically do anything he sets his mind too. Not to mention the fact that he made a ton more at a job with no degree required than I ever could’ve in a teaching position. With the economy where it is I see things from a different perspective than I did prior to my husband being unemployed for over 3 yrs. now I see the value in learning a trade something others can’t take away from you, owning your own business, and growing your own food. We have a definite need for community and sharing what we know how to do with others. I think college has it’s place but I think the rush to head for college straight out of school does our kids a diservice since they most likely don’t know where they truly want to go or do beyond college. Investing money and time into apprenticeships, time abroad and even just part time jobs to see first hand what the job market is like seem to me like a better investment then if they decide on the professional path research and choose a college.
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Teri Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Thanks, Heather, for taking the time to reply…it’s what builds community. I really appreciate your comment and insights. XO ;0)
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