"Teaching is not a science, but an art. It can be developed and nurtured, but it cannot be taught.

     "Methodologies are to great teaching what a musical score is to the sound of a great symphony. The score does not make the sound; human beings do. Following the same score, a gifted musician creates art and a poor one treats the audience to a musical catastrophe.

     "Teaching is an action that emanates from a person, the teacher. The qualities of that person will ultimately determine the nature and quality of the teaching."

Good Advice  . . . . . . . St. Thomas Aquinas

"It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes."

     "In the visionary role, leaders are the definers of direction. They must communicate the mission, values and beliefs the organization aspires to and how organizational values encompass the individual values of its members."

"Some persons under the notion of weeding out prejudice,
eradicate virtue, honesty, and religion." Jonathan Swift

Daily Prayer . . . . . . . . . . Unknown

     "Lord, in all that I do from day to day, teach me to love others as You have loved each of us. May I answer anger with understanding…doubt with caring… fear with hope…and sadness with joy. So that, if a person is touched by Your goodness dwelling in me, they will only come to know You more fully and love You more dearly."

Unexpected Blessings  . . . . . . . Eric Butterworth

     "Life for each of us has its defeats and frustrations. No one ever bats a thousand. No one wins in every encounter. But the really interesting thing is the way in which even bad breaks, or terrible mistakes, can and often do lead to unexpected blessings with the help, of course, of a little resilience and resourcefulness."

Lord, I’m Only  . . . . . . . Anonymous

"Lord,
I’m only a spark, make me a living flame;
I’m only a drop, make me a flowing river;
I’m only a feather, make me a soaring eagle."

Listening Skills  . . . . . . . M. Scott Peck

     "Even though we may feel in our business dealings or social relationships that we are listening very hard, what we are usually doing is listening selectively, with a preset agenda in mind, wondering as we listen how we can achieve certain desired results and get the conversation over with as quickly as possible or redirected in ways more satisfactory to us."

     "It takes effort to do what’s best, while it takes no effort at all to get involved in time and talent-wasting activities. It takes concerted effort to develop a good habit."

A Driving Desire  . . . . . . . B.C. Forbes

     "The person who advances is not the one who is afraid to do too much; it is the one whose conscience will not permit him to do too little, the one whose driving desire is to give the best that is in him, even though it may seem at times like casting bread upon unreturning waters."

Out on a Limb  . . . . . . . Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR

     "No matter what is the issue, when you climb out on a limb, do not be surprised that you are out there all alone. What may surprise you, however, is when you look down and see who is attempting to chop down your tree."

Step Up – Step Forward  . . . . . . . Stacy Ray

     "As you grow up there will be people in your life who will give you one-in-a-million odds of making your dreams come true. It is up to you to reduce those odds and make your dreams become realities. When you have a dream, step up and learn the skills that will give you the abilities you need; then step forward in confidence because of those abilities."

     "Everyone must learn to believe in someone or something so deeply that life is charged with meaning and a sense of mission. And the more one dedicates oneself to this meaning and mission, the more such a person will develop a sense of profound and personal belonging, and discover the reality of community."

     "Most great accomplishments, throughout the course of history, began with one individual’s inspiration, idea or a desire to change a negative situation for the better?

     What transforms thought into concrete achievement is the determination, perseverance, and patience of the individual?"

      On this day in 1774 Johnny Appleseed was born. Folklore tells of his planting apple trees throughout the Ohio valley and beyond. But he was, also, a zealous preacher of Scripture. "Besides his planting, his practice was to tear out a page from the bible he carried along on his travels, a page containing a passage which fit the situation of the family with whom he spent the night. He would leave the page with the family for their reflection. What page of Scripture do you think you need to reflect upon today?"