Exploring the Seasons Moment By Moment

It has been a fascinating few weeks in my life, and I figured out what I want this blog to be.  I went for a walk on campus today and looked into the faces of the students.  I think that this is an excerise every professor should have to do at least once a week.  Walk on campus during a break where students are switching classes and just look into the students’ eyes.  They are bursting with so much insight if one would just do this.

As I walked, in very cold weather, holding bottled water to get some freshness inside of me, within a two minute span I saw former and current students of mine who said, “Hello Mr. …”.  I realized that on a campus of more than 12,000 students, I ran into three students of mine who first started smiling as they saw me and spoke to me first!  I couldn’t get that kind of response from half of my church folk if I wanted it!!!  It reminded me once again that I am here to serve my students, to make their lives better, and for the first time in a while I felt good about what I am doing.  It isn’t just me and my computer up in some window-less office trying to write curriculum, but it is more about connecting individuals with knowledge so that they will have a brighter future; whether they realize it or not.

And then I thought about this blog.  I sent an email out to some close friends and co-workers about a recent event that happened to me and I got more than a few positive responses.  I got an overwhelming sense of “we needed to hear that”.  The message, you ask?  Simply to remember why we are doing what we do, and to show love to others.  Can’t get religious in the work setting, but it was implied and everyone knew it.  But it was a simple message that people needed to hear.

I was talking to another co-worker who stated that instructors and staff don’t share the positive stories and encourage each other like that on a regular basis.  We need to.  During this past week, I went to several offices where instructor after instructor replied with, “That is the way it works around here.”  I remember my days at the court house with some of the public being very rude to the clerks, and I asked them why are they so nice.  The reply was, “We are used to being treated like crap.”  I never understood why.  If we all know the situation, then shouldn’t we support and encourage each other?  Shouldn’t we reach out to a brother and sister and say, “Wow! You can write really well! I think you should publish a book!!!”  (referring to a very close friend who I want to see published soon – cough, cough)

I want this site to be somewhere where people can come and read inspirational stories, thoughts, and insights based off my life to give hope; that is what it started off to be and I got bored with it; however, the more I interact with different types of people, the more I realize that, that is exactly what we need more of.  We need inspiration and encouragement.  And I am out to do just that.  I don’t know what it will look like, and I don’t know who and to whom I will do it to, but I am bound to encourage people.  We may not be able to change the system, but by golly I am bound to change my corner of the Universe.

Some people blog about church issues, personal struggles, and political bandwagons.  I want my blog to help spread the love of Christ to those who may or may not know about it, but can experience it afresh each day.

So, in honor of my first posts, May you feel encouraged today with whatever you are doing.  May you know that God loves you and is with you through the good and the bad.  God never gives up or leaves, and God always has order in the midst of total chaos.  May you read this blog as much as you would like to get what you need from it.  May this blog provide at least one of many smiles each day.