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Thursday's Essay Preview

The first paragraph of the essay, "Well-defined routines," reads as follows: "We (my wife and myself) have often asked ourselves what it is that draws people to camping.  We’ve done no surveys, however, we think (for some) it is a sense of adventure, finding a more “inexpensive” way to see the world, “change,” and, perhaps, a safer way to travel (as opposed to staying in motels).  The reason we even ask this question is that camping — especially if people regularly move from one campground to another — is not easy.  It takes work.  We have discovered, however, that with well-established, well-defined routines, it takes some of the work out of the process.  Maybe the word “thinking” can be substituted for the word “work” in this context."
                   
                                                                                                                                                               

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

Now, these are some of our routines that make traveling in a fifth-wheel enjoyable.  I am certain others have different sets of routines, but it seems clear that well-defined routines make the whole process easier and more efficient — especially considering the fact that traveling requires a good bit of work.  In trying to answer the question, what draws people to this form of camping (or even, what draws them back to it year-after-year!), there have to be a number or routines that help reduce the stresses and strains of this form of travel.  These are some of ours.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

The first paragraph of the fourth anniversary essay, "What qualifies me to write essays---The bricks and mortar of my edifice," reads as follows: "I am not a mover and shaker, a politician, captain of industry, government official, or on the social registry.  I am not the director of a prestigious firm, the favorite son of the community, or on the board of directors of a business, board of education of a local school district, or on any board of trustees.  I am not an adviser to the local parish priest, church ministers, rabbi, or mullah, and my name is not synonymous with power, influence, and accomplishment.  So, why would anyone want to know my opinion on the issues of the day or accept any advice, suggestions, or direction I would choose to give?  Because I have asked myself this question, let me share with you how I have come to justify it — and, believe me, I have struggled with it before."
         
                                                                                                                                                               

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

It is the family of teachers into which I was born, my own academic credentials, my career as a teacher, my writing and publications, my reading and viewing, my experience, history, and background, as well as my own family that surrounds me with love and affection that form the bricks and mortar of the edifice known as me.  It may not seem like much, but it’s certainly a great deal more than the credentials of many people who give advice, and whether or not it truly qualifies me to give advice, the foundation is there, and I make use of it often.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

The first two paragraphs of the essay, "Self-concept is the single, most-important component that offers clear distinctions between good communicators and poor communicators," read as follows: "In my experience, those communicators whom I most admired, or those whom I considered most effective, all had strong self-concepts—at least, strong self-concepts from what I could determine.  Although there is no study to affirm the following conclusion, in all of my years of teaching speech-communication, I can report a direct, positive correlation between students with a strong self-concept and success in the basic course.
   
"Why is a strong self-concept necessary to have healthy, satisfying, ongoing interactions with others?  "
         
                                                                                                                                                     

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

To gain a positive self-concept is a continual, ongoing activity, but the benefits are worth it.  Through belonging, competency, and feelings of worth, we can clearly and accurately delineate our likes and dislikes, make preferences, observe with a critical eye, and polish awkward pieces of ourselves.  When we feel confident in our judgments and feelings, we begin to trust our interpretation of reality.  As we learn to trust our interpretation of reality, our self-concept improves.  After all, it is the single, most-important component that offers a clear distinction between good communicators and poor communicators.


And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

The first paragraph of the essay, "Focusing on the negative: And it is contagious!," reads as follows: ""Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us,” said the comic-strip character, Calvin.  "The chief obstacle to the progress of the human race is the human race,” Don Marquis is quoted as saying.  "A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices,” said William James.  Doesn’t it seem sometimes like everyone’s complaining?  Everyone is negative.  All you hear about is difficulty, failure, and disaster?  Those with whom you converse all share the negative news they see on television or read on the Internet or in the newspaper?"
             
                                                                                                                                                     

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

'"As long as [you] are aware of [your] own negative attitude and are willing to adopt a more positive attitude towards life, change can and will occur. Once [you] realize that a negative attitude is the biggest obstacle to [your] happiness, [you] can make a conscious choice to help [yourself]. There will be obstacles and setbacks on the road to personal change but [you] must remain focused on the bigger picture: [your] success and happiness.'  This is the tenth item in an essay, 'Ten Ways to Overcome a Negative Attitude,' by Thich Nhat Hanh, at the web site, InTek Online.  There are no guarantees, of course, but this is a solid, productive, and potentially rewarding way to change both negative thinking and a negative attitude.  The great thing is you can begin at once—and it is contagious!"


And Then Some News