Learning Should Be Fun

watch?v=4UphvOSAJdA

I was thinking about, way back, when I was in school and how the classes that I did well in were, as I remember, a direct result of my experience of the teacher. I loved those teachers and thought fondly of them. Those teachers made,  what they were teaching me, interesting. They even invoked some fun into these classes. I actually looked forward to being in their class. Yet there were other teachers I was terrified of. I was so scared to answer a question in the event it was the wrong answer.

Learning Should Be Fun

When I re-visit my childhood and think of those teachers I loved

I recognize some similarities

Those teachers I loved and think fondly of and made learning fun

And always did so very much to please

Why is it some teachers feel that they should be real mean

And make the children afraid to be wrong

Don’t they realize they’re inhibiting their growth

By closing down the child’s inner song

Don’t get me wrong I am aware

That respect is needed between the teacher and the child

And as long as that respect is going both ways

They won’t find that child running wild

I really feel that our teachers should be supported

And encouraged to make learning fun

This way the children might enjoy going to school

And also graduate when they are done

Copyright Best 2011

Others will Always be Different

http://mahriminutemessage.podomatic.com/swf/joeplayer_v16.swf

//

It is so easy for me to think, that if others don’t believe in life the same way that I do, they are wrong! I can so easily step into the judgment seat and cast aspersions. My way could be to look down on those who don’t feel the same way that I do. And guess what – I do! And when I do I am simply holding up a mirror before myself. At that point I am no different than they are. It was these thoughts that led me to write this poem.

Others Will Always be Different

When I find out that someone has a different understanding
About a philosophy of life
It is up to me to accept that this is their journey
Not make them wrong – and not create strife

I was never privy to what brought them their point of view
I never wore their shoes
It took many years for them to decide this
They may not feel  – that they get to choose

If I must defend those beliefs that I carry through life
The truth is I may not be sure
I must never question decisions made by another
This would make my thought impure

All I can do is to live life the best way that I understand
Be true to all I believe
Let go of all need to make other folk wrong
In saying that they’re not like me

So I’ll accept that others will always be different
And be open to seeing what’s true
By shifting that pose that I’m taking on
I may find new light shining through

Copyright Best 2011

Who Say's Bigger is Better?

http://mahriminutemessage.podomatic.com/swf/joeplayer_v16.swf

//

http://mahriminutemessage.podomatic.com/swf/joeplayer_v16.swf

//

I am glad that I have made America my home for this past 45 or so years. Though there is one thing that may often upset me and that is the need for competition. In my mind, America is a wonderful country and so is Great Britain and so is Spain and so is Germany and so on.

With the world getting so much smaller, I believe that we should pay attention to our conversation and instead of saying we are bigger and better, we might be more open to learning from other countries in the world, who have the ability to show others new and improved ways of being or doing.

Who Says Bigger is Better?

Why do we feel so insecure if we don’t have the greatest new toy?

Why do we constantly fear others’ success and do things that only kill joy?

Who says that bigger is better? Who’s afraid of not being enough?

Why don’t we see that we all have a chance to benefit from all our stuff?

This world feels the need to compete and each country feels they are right

If only each one could consider – there’s really no need to fight

We could, in fact, learn from each other and make this world a great place to live

Instead of thinking that bigger is better we need to let go and forgive

Copyright Best 2011