MUSINGS 6 THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER SERIAL 3

Attitude.  Attitude is like a flat tyre you cannot go anywhere without changing it

PYGMALION  EFFECT

If you tell a teacher that a child is bright, the teacher will be more supportive and shower all attention on the child. The child thus learns more and is better in school. It does not matter whether the child is actually bright. All that matters is the teacher’s confidence in the child. This unique human phenomenon is called Pygmalion Effect. It is a persistently held belief in another person such that the belief becomes a reality.

"When teachers expect students to do well and show intellectual growth, they do; when teachers do not have such expectations, performance and growth are not so encouraged and may in fact be discouraged in a variety of ways." "How we believe the world is and what we honestly think it can become have powerful effects on how things will turn out."

a)      "When people say you're dumb, you feel dumb, you act dumb" "But when you're on top and you're told you can do no wrong, you can't. You have the classroom in the palm of your hand, and you go" A student recounting his experiences in Jane Elliott's classroom.

b)     "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." – Henry Ford

c)      "Pessimism becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy; it reproduces itself by crippling our willingness to act." Howard Zinn

Parents and Teachers need to consciously encourage children to explore and evolve to their full potential. Any other form of parenting or teaching would be counterproductive.

USE OF THE SENSORY ORGANS

Although the five senses lead us to temptation and cause distraction, they are our window to the world.  It is with the senses that we understand the world. The danger lies in not making proper use of the senses. When the mind is not in control, our senses mislead us.

Taste.  When a worm is used as bait by a fisherman, the fish is attracted by the promise of a juicy worm as food. The fish ends up dying, tempted by its desire. 

Sight.    Here are insects that are attracted by the bright light of oil lamps, and they get close to the flame, only to have their wings singed.

Hearing.  A mythological animal is mentioned in literature, which is supposed to be attracted to music. So obsessed with music is this animal that if it stops hearing music, it dies.

Smell.   Bees are attracted by the fragrance of flowers and get close to the petals. In some cases, the flowers happen to be those that trap insects that get close and get trapped.

Taste.  One widespread perception on scientific learning—We must experience everything ourselves and believe only if they present us with proof.  Yet none would dare taste cyanide!! 

MIRACLE: POWER OF FAITH

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise; nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice.. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question. 'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick....and I want to buy a miracle.' 'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist. 'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?'

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little. 'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was a well-dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?' ' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'

How much do you have?' asked the man from  Chicago   'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audible. 'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'

'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.' He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.' 

That well-dressed man was Dr.  Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. 'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?' Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost....one dollar and eleven cents...plus the faith of a little child.

          MIRACULOUS!!

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.

LESSON IN PARENTING

A teacher from Primary School asked students to write an essay about what they would like God to do for them. While marking the essays, she read one that made her very emotional. Her husband had just walked in saw her crying and asked—What happened? She answered - Read this. It's one of my students’ essays.

Oh God, tonight I ask you something very special: Make me into a television. I want to take its place. Live like the TV in my house. Have my own special place, And have my family around ME. To be taken seriously when I talk. I want to be the center of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions. I want to receive the same special care that the TV receives when it is not working. Have the company of my Dad when he arrives home from work, even when he is tired.

And I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me. And... I want my brothers to fight with me. I want to feel that family just leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me. And last but not least make it that I can make them all happy and entertain them. Lord I don't ask you for much. I just want to live like every TV’.  

At that moment the husband said:- 'My God, poor kid. What horrible parents!

She looked up at him and said—'That essay is our son's!!!