Author Archives: bethpow06
FMM 4 12 13 ‘It is what it is.’ Or is it?
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” ~Reinhold Niebuhr. Several things have happened recently to remind me how important your attitude to your life is. It may take us a while before we learn how to deal […]
FMM 4 5 13 What is holding you back?
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser men so full of doubts.” ~ Bertrand Russell. I have been teaching for over four years, yet my career choice still seems new and surprising. I find myself trying to analyze my students to determine what […]
FMM 3 29 13 Patience
“How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?” ~ William Shakespeare If patience is a virtue, then I must be very wicked. Last Friday morning, within hours of posting my Friday Morning Message, I observed my sinful behavior and realized that this week’s topic was already decided. […]
FMM 3 22 13 Striving for Perfection
‘Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.’ ~ Harriet Braiker. Does someone reside inside your head, whispering that you should be perfect? Is there a critic who reviews your work, constantly giving you uninvited advice? I usually introduce myself to a new class by telling them there are two things they should […]
FMM 3 15 13 The meaning of life
The sight of the night sky filled with stars is enough to stop you in your tracks and wonder ‘what does it all mean?’ I got my first view of a tropical sky, far away from the city lights from the deck of an ocean liner. I was seven years old; the family was on […]
FMM 3 8 13 The Movie of your Life
Jamaicans have a way with words. Whether it is a created word like ‘irie’; an old word used in a new and original way, ‘wicked!’ or a phrase like ‘One love’, Jamaicanisms have entered the language of countries from Alaska to Zimbabwe. I have always loved the way a Jamaican will tell you that they […]
FMM 3 1 13: It all begins with you
“Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all” ~ Linda Creed There is something very wonderful about unconditional love. That feeling you feel when first you see your newborn child, or grandchild, or godchild. No matter what, you know that you will love that child unconditionally forever. They say that a dog […]
2 22 13 Sweet little lies
“Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies…” ~ Stevie Nicks How many lies do we tell ourselves on a daily basis? Sometimes we need to pause and take a good look at ourselves. A habit that has become an unhealthy pattern of addiction may creep up on us, but we are continuing to believe […]
2 15 13 Truth or consequences
“When we take words to be statements of ultimate truth, then differences of opinion will inevitably result in conflict.” ~Joseph Goldstein Have you ever known people who use the word ‘truth’ to mean opinion? People who will tell you whatever is on their mind, and then tell you “I always speak the truth”, failing […]
2 8 13 Angels Unawares
“The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.” George Elliot How do you picture an angel? I remember as a child being a little ambivalent about a host of bland, […]
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