It's Good Friday, Readers.
Here is a photo to mark the
beginning of this Easter weekend.
Grandma noticed it one weekday morning
and sent me running with my camera.
I had a really busy week.
It went by in a blink.
Saturday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday.
One of those weeks where you feel like this:
Eloise paddling upstream CLICK HERE
I got lost in the details of the planning
and the perfection of the execution
of making the week fall
lockstep
into
place.
Friendy Wendy sent me
the words of Donna Ashworth
It's a lot, my friend.
Your life is a lot.
The world is a lot.
Your mind is a lot
Ashworth reminded all the people out there
doing their darndest
that we are
impressive, beautiful machines,
and that is more than enough.
I liked those words
and a little reflection is just what I needed.
Looking back on my week as I write tonight,
I only feel the smiles,
not the stress.
One of my favorite reporters
reflected on his career with NBC this morning.
Harry Smith announced he is leaving to pursue other interests.
Mr. Smith is the feel-good features reporter
for the Today Show.
who covered the piece on our students' contact with
the NASA astronaut in December.
I know it's a holiday weekend,
but I'm assigning mandatory homework.
Watch the highlight reel of Harry's career.
He put together a collection of his favorite pieces,
and our students got a mention right at the beginning.
As much as I loved being part of that project,
Harry had my heart at the elephant story!
I am in complete admiration
of the experiences he's had
in covering stories of amazing people.
CLICK HERE for Harry Smith's goodbye
Harry told Today's audience
that he was heading back to his alma mater
to teach a class called Curiosity.
SIGN. ME. UP!
Or better yet,
maybe I'll sniff around for his syllabus
and start one myself.
Harry was teary at the end of his look-back,
and took a minute to harness his emotions
as he said his final words to the morning gang at Today.
It seems like it happened yesterday....
Harry said.
I understood this completely,
as this week I reread the words of a beautiful poem
friend Cathy shared on facebook this week.
The poet, Max Ehrmann,
penned Desiderata--Words for Life in 1927.
The were read at one of my graduation ceremonies
in 1989.
I feel them well worth the revisit
on this Good Friday.
Enjoy them for yourselves,
with some of my photos interspersed.
--Eloise
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
— Max Ehrmann, 1927
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