The Importance of Sowing Seeds

As the school year starts, I think about the role of teachers, parents and all those who help our young people learn. I am reminded of a poem by Ann North:

"Some of the seeds of hope planted tentatively in the fall have not come up. They life stillborn and unrealized somewhere in the spring soil decaying. The strongest and best ones pushed up through leaves and layers of cold, hard resistance, right into clear blue air and stand there nakedly green. Breathing. Its always that way with growing things. Never knowing at the start which will make it and which will fail. But the thing to hold fast to, never to lose faith in is simply - keep sowing."

Senator Kennedy

Watching the memorial services for the Senator this weekend was very moving. I remember traveling to Ohio for the signing of the No Child Left Behind legislation and being impressed by the Senator, as well as from during my time working at the Senate. Bradley Hills had a connection with him as the church donated the tree to him that would be planted at the U.S. Capitol as the Massachusetts state tree there.

Turning 40

At church today, someone told me I dont look a day over 40. I told them, "But I am. I am literally a day over 40." This turning point has me thinking about priorities and making time for what is most important.

End of Life

Its amazing to see all the end of life discussions coming out of the health care debate. The discussions of the "death panels" or no panels all highlight the importance of advanced planning by families, before or whether or not the government gets involved. Its a good reminder to all of us to consider these important family conversations and actions.

Feeding our better selves

My friend and colleague, Scott Winnette, reminds me of a well loved story that Sharon Watkins shared at the Presidential Prayer Service last January 21. I was in the audience that morning and I hope the President and others who heard it take it to heart.

There is a story attributed to Cherokee wisdom:One evening a grandfather was teaching his young grandson about the internal battle that each person faces.“There are two wolves struggling inside each of us,” the old man said.“One wolf is vengefulness, anger, resentment, self-pity, fear . . .“The other wolf is compassion, faithfulness, hope, truth, love . . .”The grandson sat, thinking, then asked: “Which wolf wins, Grandfather?”His grandfather replied, “The one you feed.”