Some thoughts for saturday :-)
Marva Collins is one of America's great educators. For the
past twenty years she has run the Westside Preparatory
School in Chicago. You've probably seen her on "Sixty
Minutes" where her third graders were quoting Shakespeare and
Emerson.
The following is her creed that her students memorize and
and recite daily...
THE CREED
Marva N. Collins
Society will draw a circle that shuts me out, but my superior
thoughts will draw me in.
I was born to win if I do not spend too much time trying to
fail.
I can become a citizen of the world if I do not spend too
many energies attempting to become local.
I will ignore the tags and names given me by society since
only I know what I have the ability to become.
I will continue to let society predict, but only I can
determine what I will, can, or cannot do.
Failure is just as easy to combat as success is to obtain.
Education is painful and not gained by playing games, but I
have seen failure too destroy millions with promised hopes
and broken dreams.
While I have the opportunity, I shall not sit on the
sidelines bitter with despair and wish later that I had
become a literate lifter of this world instead of a failing
leaner.
I will use each day to the fullest. I promise that each day
shall be gained, not lost, used, not thrown away. Yet it is
my privilege to destroy myself if that is what I choose to
do.
I have the right to fail, but I do not have the right to take
my teacher and other people with me.
God made me the captain of only one life, my own. Therefore,
if I decide to become a failure, it is my right.
We were all promised a pursuit of happiness, and that is what
I must do, pursue happiness and success for myself. No one
will give it to me on a proverbial platter, and no one will
care as much about me as I must care about myself. But I must
be willing to accept the consequences for that failure and I
must never think that those who have chosen to work while I
played, rested, and , will share their bounties with me.
I will wave proudly my flag signifying that I am a failure by
choice. But I will never envy those who have selected to wave
their unfurled banners announcing their success.
My success and my education can be a companion which no
misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can
alienate. No envy or names can hurt me.
Education and success can be a lifetime solace. It guides
goodness, it gives at once grace and genius to governments,
communities, cities, townships, villages, homes, and palaces.
Without education, what is a man? A splendid slave, a savage,
a beast, wandering from here to there believing whatever they
are told. God is not some cosmic bellboy who comes at my
beckon and call. If I want to achieve, the first step must be
my own undertaking. Likewise, if I want to fail, that too is
my choice. Time and chance come to us all. Whether I decide
to take that time and chance is indeed my own choice.
I can either be hesitant or courageous. Life does indeed
maroon the hesitant and inspire the brave.
I can swiftly stand up and shout, "This is my time and place.
I will accept the challenge, or I will let others make my
decisions for me."
THE END
Take care friends and enjoy a great weekend :-)