This makes me think of all the “information” and communication we receive sitting down at the computer when we might feel slightly disembodied anyway.

You make an excellent point about getting up and moving even when we receive this information in a seemingly passive or receptive mode of communication. I am shaking one or two emails off right now )

Thank you!
Susan

Here in the West, we sit around for days eating and often drinking alcohol, delegating the preparation of the body to a third party, practically stewing in adrenaline and cortisol!

How about writing something for all my neighbors at Fort Hood? I was actually driving by the base within 10 or 15 minutes of the shootings.

I know many people who are being both directly and indirectly touched by this. I bet it would be a help if you were to post a few basic suggestions that I could forward. I’m friends with several pastors who are near the base, as well as with the chaplain on the psych unit at the base hospital.

By the way, I give blood every 8 weeks, and so was not in a position to respond to the request from the Red Cross and the Carter Blood Center. However, my assistant, Jenn, headed there Thursday late afternoon and found a two hour wait. I’m always moved by the generosity of the masses when given a clear way to offer help. (It also saddens me when it seems we’ve created a culture where people assume their personal sacrifices will often mean little by the time all the systems and bureaucracies take their “cut.”)

peace and prayers,
Wes

Thanks Mark!

Jenni

Thank you for your, as always, thought-and-feeling-awakening writing.

By way of expanding this dialogue (and positively affirming your written contribution), I’d like to share my understanding that praising is different from affirming. Whereas the former keeps the power-over with the praising authority in the disguise of support, the latter acknowledges the originator, and keeps the authority where it belongs, as personal authority.

Affirmations–truly listening and appreciating differences–help young people uncover their authentic identity in a world of endless possiblities, where much can be left as a matter of unique expression rather than fulfilling outside expectations and living up to institutionalized standards. But if we engage in praise, then youngsters may orients themselves toward the adults’ values, rather than searching within for their own calling. They may also fear disapointing us, if they make contrary choices and choose to not share their views and choices when they do differ.

“Some praise statements may have the potential to lower students’ confidence in themselves. In a study of second graders in science classrooms, Rowe (1974) found that praise lowered students’ confidence in their answers and reduced the number of verbal responses they offered. The students exhibited many characteristics indicative of lower self-esteem, such as responding in doubtful tones and showing lack of persistence or desire to keep trying. In addition, students frequently tried to “read” or check the teacher’s eyes for signs of approval or disapproval.

In a series of six studies of subjects ranging in age from third grade to adult, Meyer (1979) found that under some conditions, praise led recipients to have low expectations of success at difficult tasks, which in turn decreased the persistence and performance intensity at the task. It seems that certain kinds of praise may set up even the most capable students for failure. No student can always be “good” or “nice” or “smart.” In order to avoid negative evaluations, students may tend not to take chances and attempt difficult tasks.” (http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9213/praise.htm)

Meyer, W. “Informational Value of Evaluative Behavior: Influences of Social Reinforcement on Achievement.” JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 71(2) (1979): 259-268.

Rowe, M.B. “Relation of Wait-Time and Rewards to the Development of Language, Logic and Fate Control: Part II–Rewards.” JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING 11(4) (1974): 291-308.

Right speech as a form of non-violence in action is profound. If I just work on my own right speech, what a challenge!
I find it easier to do in writing as the spoken conversation flows past me quickly and may take my best intentions into the wind. But, I suppose that is the practice of it. Learning right speech in a way that unfolds my ability to stay with it.
Thanks for this topic today.
Warmly,
Susan

I think this is a beautifully written article. I do believe that nature in all its splendor has a healing and calming effect. Where I would slightly disagree with you is on the order and what I would term as ‘balance’ provided. By default everything in nature falls to dis-organisation. The most logical reason being it requires no energy. It is funny thing that some creatures, especially us humans like to organise and arrange in order to feel comfortable in a surrounding. I believe when one approaches nature and its beauty, our need to organise is lost as we are taken back by the beauty and all the wonders chaos has to offer. Perhaps we (human population) would be more at ease in our own home environments if we realised we can live with less gadgets, less clothes and other materialistic items that need to be filed, categorized and stored. Put simply, less is more! Less junk is more time to enjoy the finer things in life like a sunset or a well cooked home-made meal.

Concerning genes are the environment. I do believe that it is very important to continually stimulate one’s self with new and exciting ideas, colours, and natural environments. However that being said, there is a limit to your individual genetics that you did not mention. We can not all be genuises becasue our parents decided to play us classical music at a young age or stimulated us by taking us to parks. I have confidence in saying that some children who don’t receive these types of stimulation go on to become very intelligent adults. The plan and simple truth about it is there is no why to determine how intelligent will be…no written rule that this one thing or combination of things will stimulate your or your childs genes to make you or them more intelligent. I find that often, the best way to ensure a happy and hopefully inteeligent child is to supply them with two things. First lots and lots of love…hugs, kisses, tickles, pats on the back…And secondly, your undivided attention. When they address you, you should pay them the same respect as any adult. Stop what you are doing and look them in the eyes and ask ‘how can I help you?’ They are young and are wanting to learn! How can they if you ignore them and they have to say your name 10 times before you even look their way. Then they are screaming, your upset, they forget what they wanted to ask…you see where I am going?

I will mention though that genetics and environmental factors start much earlier than even infancy. I was/am involved with neuro-developmental studies here in the UK. How the brain develops during a pregnancy and the genetic influences early on are thought to be the most influential for how the brain will perform later in life. One study currently on going springs to mind. It is of the importance of iodine in a pregnant woman’s diet during pregnancy. Iodine and iodized foods play an important role in thyroid regulation and brain development in the somatosensory region. So much to the point that if a baby does not receive the proper amounts of circulating thyroid hormone during development (especially for brain development) the baby could end up in extreme cases with cretinism or the pregnancy could naturally be aborted. It is of the utmost importance for pregnant women to eat a well balanced and health diet during those nine months. Please stay away from vitamins and eat the necessary foods to get your daily vitamins.

Well those were my silly little thoughts but still a beautiful article and a nice perspective. Thanks x