Thoughts from The Head

The first week of school, the students all read the book The Spyglass by Richard Paul Evans. It's about a fictitious kingdom that was in ruins; buildings were falling down and the farms did not grow. An old man came to the kingdom, and got the king to look through a special spyglass. When he looked, the king saw great farms and gardens, castles and cathedrals. The king thought it was a trick, and that the old man was a wizard; and when he put down the spyglass, the same old kingdom was there, poor as ever. The old man told the king that he had to see what greatness was there, and then do the hard work to make it so. This story had a happy ending. The king's faith that the kingdom could be great again was what he needed to motivate himself and others to do the work that was needed. They had given up and become discouraged, but now they had the opportunity and inspiration to succeed. 

School work should be challenging, and sometimes we get discouraged and feel that we can't do our best work. We give up and accept that we can't do it. But if we have the vision to see ourselves as capable, with God-given abilities, we can be successful. Each student wrote or drew a picture of his or her vision for this school year. Our spyglasses are aimed at the best and brightest scenes of classrooms of happy learners and fun, challenging lessons. With hard work and the dedication of great teachers, we are looking forward to those visions becoming a reality of loving to learn all that we need to be successful this year. 

© Emily Smith

With God as our Father,
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Those are words from the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth," and it is a reminder of our brotherly relationship as children of God, and a charge to us to live in harmony and treat each other with respect, regardless of our backgrounds.

There are five major religions throughout the world today: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Each of these religions has its own beliefs and practices, and each of these religions believes that its story tells how followers can lead a purposeful and good life. We are fortunate that in the United States, there are people from all of these major faith traditions. When we learn a little bit about each of these beliefs we can accept and understand better how to appreciate and respect each person.

Tolerance comes through understanding, cooperation and respect. Margaret Mead, the renowned anthropologist said, "I have spent most of my life studying the lives of other peoples — faraway peoples — so that Americans might better understand themselves." To better understand others, and not accept stereotypes, is one way to bridge the gap of mistrust and fear between nations. This is essential to our living together and making a better planet for us all to share. 

© Emily Smith

"Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." (New Living Translation of the Bible, the book of Colossians)

Everyone makes mistakes. Only God, divine Love, is perfect. When we make a mistake and hurt others, we usually want them to forgive us, and we need to learn to forgive ourselves as well. If we don't forgive others when they hurt us, we can hold on to that hurt for a long time.

The following is a story from our book Creating Classrooms and Homes of Virtue by Margaret D. Walding. A teacher had her students to each bring in a large plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. They wondered what they would possibly do with a sack of potatoes. She asked them to think of times that they had made mistakes but failed to admit or forgive their wrong-doing. For each of these remembrances, she took a potato, wrote their name on it, and put it in their plastic bag. Then the students had to think of situations when they had been harmed by others but failed to forgive them. For each of those remembrances a potato was chosen, and placed in the bag.

Some of the bags were quite heavy, and the students were asked to carry their bags everywhere they went — home, school, sports practice, etc. The students realized the lesson they were learning as they had to carry around the heavy bags: Holding grudges and failing to forgive ourselves and others is like a heavy burden. It weighs us down and "limits our ability to admit mistakes, learn from failures" and learn to do better the next time. Let's "lighten up" by forgiving each other, and then making sure we don't repeat the same mistakes over and over again. 

© Emily Smith

"Humility's a virtue that is easy to forget
We like to be the first in line, the winner and to "get."
The lesson we should learn in life along the way is true -
To think of others first is what brings happiness to you."
                                  Margaret Walding, from Classrooms of Virtue

This poem about humility describes something that students experience every day at school. Who is first in line? Who gets to be first? We often think of ourselves as deserving to be first, and sometimes we get upset if we are not.  Let's ask ourselves the question: why is it so important to be first? Is one child better than another? Sometimes we do things better than others, because we work hard and do our best. But does that mean that we are better or deserve more than others? As Mary Baker Eddy said, "pride is a weakness, while humility is a strength." (Science and Health) God values everyone the same, and makes us all strong, when we know we are all the children of God. Here is a little story, a true one, from our Classroom Virtues book, that illustrates what it means to put someone ahead of yourself:

"Several years ago, when the Special Olympics were held in Seattle, Washington, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. 

"All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight contestants heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back — every one of them.

"One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed the fallen boy and said, 'This will make it better.' Then all nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes."

This is an important lesson for all of us. We can think about the strength that it took for these children to put their friend's feelings before their own pleasure of winning. There was obviously a victory in what they chose to do; they won a stronger sense of what winning is, and inspired their spectators in a lesson in humility. As the poem says, "to think of others first is what brings happiness to you."

Walding, Margaret. Creating Classrooms and Homes of Virtue. Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, Atlanta, GA, 2002. 

Eddy, Mary Baker. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, MA, 1875.

© Emily Smith

Reverence is defined as having a deep appreciation for all of life. When we have reverence for something, we respect it and take care of it. To love and respect God, means that we take care of His creation: our friends and family, our home, our school, our earth and environment, as well as our fellow human beings and animals. If we follow the commandment to love one another, we can live in harmony on our planet. From The Message translation of the Bible, the book of Deuteronomy:

"...what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I'm commanding you today-live a good life." (Deut. 10:12)

In Unity of Good, Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, writes: 

"Men must approach God reverently, doing their work in obedience to divine law, if they would fulfill the intended harmony of being." (Un.13:4)

Showing reverence to God and God's creation is a way that we can live in peace and harmony. There is an ancient Indian proverb that says:

"Treat the earth well:
It was not given to you by your parents,
It was loaned to you by your children.
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
We borrow it from our Children."

In my experience, it is our children who lead the way in reverently caring for our environment and loving all of the creatures upon the earth. 

© Emily Smith

We all want to be treated fairly and equally. From early childhood, fairness is a principle. When it comes to sharing, equal shares is a big issue — your piece has to be the same size, if not bigger, than your sibling's or friend's.  A wise parent will have the solution to make sure each gets their fair share:  one person divides it and the other person has the choice of pieces! 

In both the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy we will find references on the importance of justice and a divine sense of its importance and relevance to our lives.

"For the word of the Lord is right,
         And all His work is done in truth.
  He loves righteousness and justice;
         The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." (Ps.33:4-5)

In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy writes: 

"God has built a higher platform of human rights, and He has built it on diviner claims. These claims are not made through code or creed, but in demonstration of 'on earth peace, good-will toward men.' " (SH 226:14)

It is right and just to have good will toward all. We want to treat others equally and help those less fortunate to meet basic needs. It is important to follow rules and laws of the land, and not take advantage of others. We want to be willing to share and take turns, and we want to be treated equally; it's the Golden Rule of life to treat others as we want to be treated. 

To quote Eleanor Roosevelt, the first lady and wife of President Franklin Roosevelt, "Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both."  Martin Luther King, Jr., in his famous speech in Washington, D.C.,  said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Let us all work to cultivate our sense of justice and fulfill these high goals for everyone, judging on the grounds of fairness and equality. 

© Emily Smith

At a Monday Morning Assembly in February, the student leader defined loyalty as standing by someone or something you care about.   She said, "being a friend means being loyal, faithful and trustworthy.  If we say we will do something, then we should do it.  If we are needed, we should be there, ready to help. Our friends and family count on us."  She further said that even her cat knows when she is upset, and comes to comfort her. 

Being able to count on others, and have others count on us, is a key aspect of community.  We have a solid model for this in the religious or spiritual community, as the Psalmist reminds us, "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Ps. 100:5).  In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy states, "Divine Mind (God) rightly demands man's entire obedience, affection and strength.  No reservation is made for any lesser loyalty" (p. 183).

Our obedience and loyalty to God is a reflection or example of His faithfulness to us.   Using the Bible as a guide, the ten commandments and the Sermon on the Mount are a good foundation of loyalty.  For instance, the commandment to honor your father and mother helps to understand and practice how family members respect and support each other.  

Even in the animal kingdom we find this support.  According to Lessons from Geese, by Dr. Robert McNeish, "when a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two family geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or catch up with the flock."  Families of geese do not break up after the breeding season, but form strong family units that migrate and winter together until they return to their breeding ground.  The lesson noted in Lessons from Geese is, "if we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strongest."   

It is heartening to know that in our school community, at all times, and in student, family and staff relationships, we can count on each other to be loyal and supportive.

© Emily Smith

Never give up!  Studies have shown that success in mathematics, a subject which is a struggle for many, is more related to persistent effort than to ability.  Albert Einstein, considered one of the greatest intellects of all time is quoted as saying, "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." 

There are so many accounts of successful people who would not have been remembered as successful, had they given up, or given in, to failure.  Michael Jordan, the incredibly successful basketball player, is quoted as saying, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.  I've lost almost 300 games.  26 times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed.  I've failed over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed." 

There is inspiration from the Bible to conquer our fears and not be deterred by obstacles and challenges.  "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Heb. 12:1).  It is important to have goals for the future, "the race marked out for us," but also to make good use of our time presently.  "Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing... If one would be successful in the future, let him make the most of the present" (Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, p.230).

We all want to do well in life, to please our parents, or to demonstrate to others that we can do a good job in school or at work.  Failure, and fear of failure, is what we face sometimes when trying to succeed, to win, to invent something new, or to make our mark, so to speak.  George Washington Carver, Wilma Rudolph, and Benjamin Franklin all had humble beginnings, but they all believed in hard work and had the confidence to keep trying until they succeeded. 

Thomas Edison worked for years on new ideas and inventions.  When asked about his failures along the way, he said, "Why, I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."  His perseverance paid off for all of us in many inventions that make our lives more enjoyable.  He also said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."  So, never give up! 

© Emily Smith

Stewardship is the responsible caring of others and the environment.  It is being accountable for choices and being reliable for doing what we say we will.  In a recent morning assembly, a student said that we can make a difference in the world and in our own community by taking responsibility for what is happening around us.  Earth Day in April is a good opportunity to participate in projects that help us have a clean, safe planet.  The students have cleaned our local parks and beaches, for example, as their contribution to this effort. 

Caring for others can be the highest demonstration of selflessness and good will. Those who are less fortunate sometimes need a hand up, and it feels good to help others, especially children, to experience happiness.  This year, the students helped a local family at Christmas, and also donated funds to the Heifer Project to help families in developing countries to be more self-supporting. 

In the Bible, the story of the Good Samaritan in the book of Luke is a good example of taking responsibility for our fellow man.  Jesus tells a lawyer who was questioning him, that "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." The lawyer challenges him, "and who is my neighbor?"  Jesus answers with a parable, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' ³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" ³⁷ And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (www.biblegateway.com, Luke 10:24-37, NKJV)

We would like to think of ourselves as being merciful, as being like the Good Samaritan and the one who stops and helps a "neighbor."  As good stewards, we try to live up to this standard as dependable, trustworthy, and caring of others.  In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy writes, "The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good" (p. 518).  She further says, "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love.  It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it" (p. 57).  Unselfish sharing is a virtue indeed.  As stewards of our world, let us seek some of our happiness in helping others to be happy.  That should guarantee to make our planet a better place for all of us. 

© Emily Smith

For the last month of this school year, we are studying the virtue of Peacefulness.  Peacefulness is defined in Margaret D. Walding's book, Creating Classrooms and Homes of Virtue, as "being calm and quiet from the inside out."  We have been studying other virtues such as Faith, Forgiveness, Humility and Tolerance.  All of these have prepared us to be calm and quiet from the inside out, or peaceful, by focusing on the unselfish caring for others, and trusting God to show us the way.  With the goal of peace for the world, in our communities and schools, peace begins with each one of us. 

There are many role models who have promoted peace in the world.  Each year, such individuals are honored with a Nobel Prize.  Alfred Nobel, who established a fund for these awards, was himself a person who cared about peace.  As an inventor, he started with a harmful substance and developed a useful and safe one which would advance progress, not destruction. The Nobel awards encourage others to do the same.

Peacefulness comes from the heart, from loving our neighbor as ourselves.  It is the understanding that, as written in the book of Genesis, we were created in the image and likeness of God, Spirit; therefore, we can be confident that we are as the mirror image of all good.  We don't have to struggle to be good, happy, loving and peaceful, but just be it, like looking in a mirror. 

Mary Baker Eddy, author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, was well aware of man's spiritual reflection of goodness and peace.  She writes, "Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love" (p. 264).

As we end this school year, I'd like to leave you with some peaceful thoughts to reflect upon, one from a song we often sing in our Monday Morning Assembly, and the other from the book of Numbers in the Bible:

"Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth,
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father,
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony."                           

"The Lord bless you
   and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
   and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
   and give you peace."  (Numbers 6:24-26, NKJV)

© Emily Smith