Tommymom.com

Because no one is an island.

Community and fellowship inspire genius…

In my last post, I began to define the vision and purpose of this blog.

We need community.

I know that on a day to day basis, while raising my children, there have definitely been times where I felt like I was cycling on a high wire with no safety net.

Allow me to quote from this book once again.

” Americans love education, believe in education, and pay big money for education, but few agree on what it is, what it should accomplish, or what methods should be used to achieve it.

Second, the problems of education seem varied and complex but the complexity is a myth,rooted in a modern misconception about education and educators. Education can’t be fixed as long as we believe this basic myth The myth is that it is possible for one human being to educate another.

The fact is that the only person who can fix education is the student…” ”

Teaching, not education, should be our focus, because great teaching inspires students to educate themselves.“ …“Great teaching will solve our educational problems. “…Teachers teach and students educate. ” Students are the only true educators.”~ Oliver DeMille

Geez!, Now what am I supposed to do? This doesn’t follow the social dynamics of my local support group or any pop cultural trend!

And I was definitely “educated!” An honor student.

Let me digress here and say, that Son #1 will be 21 in December. The first edition of this book was published in the year 2000!

There was obviously a serious period of “wandering in the wilderness” while Oliver was penning these thoughts.

Hence the “tight rope act with no net” comment.

But herein also lies a source of strength for my conviction. A Mom, in most cases, knows what is best for her children.  She is the expert.

I am quick to admit that I’ve made more than my fair share of mistakes.

There were times ( and still are, quite frankly) that I wanted to quit.

But this methodology isn’t new and it works.

It is simple, but not easy.

It’s effective, but not efficient.

It’s just that now it has principles that have not only been penned, but practiced.

By many.

They are powerful enough to make families strong, siblings the best of friends, and parents the greatest of advocates and allies.

Community adds to that strength. It builds confidence.

Spotlighting the diversity within that community gives hope to countless individuals that are struggling.

Life can be hard. Discouragement often begets despair.

But where hope and joy flourish, example is spotlighted, and faithfulness is given venue to be reinforced; discouragement and despair flee.

It is my sincerest hope that the effects of this blog will be to reinforce great thoughts, great people, and great ideas.

To inspire great leadership in your families…with your example being first.

And while we’re at it…we often need to lighten up.

Because it never hurts to laugh hysterically once in awhile either.

“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” ~Proverbs 17:22, The Message