Late Night Musings: Keeping our Eyes Open

What can focus cause us to miss?

I was running today trying to race off the massive amounts of consumed food that coincides with visiting family in Michigan.  I was pushing my pace when the view you see above stopped me.  I was so focused on the path in front of me that I didn't take in the full view of my surroundings. I've run this trail close to 40 times and never truly noticed the scenery that was around me.  

I've wondered tonight about how this short moment can be representative of many of our daily interactions.  We can be so busy doing 'what needs to be done' during a day that we miss out on many things that can happen.

There is no clarion call about what we NEED to change today; just a request that we (myself included) stay open to what is happening in the periphery of what we do.

Jon

(Photo: Stream along the White Pine Trail, Rockford, MI)

Into the Blog

Why Blog?

Effective blogs make you feel a connection to both the author of the blog and the community of readers that follow them.  I've spent years enjoying/devouring blogs for information about politics, education and sports.  Now I want to step into this intriguing world of blogging.  I want to write about topics that interest me, that push me, and that cause me to think about the world we live in.

This blog will be focused in five areas:

• Education: I look forward to posting and examining my thoughts as well as the thoughts of others when it comes to educational pedagogy and practice.

• Book Reviews: Much of my free time, at times too much, is spent reading young adult and non fiction books.  Reviews will be centered on each books impact on me and the impact I could see it having on others.   

• Current Events...with History!: With the constant stream of news we are exposed to it is easy to become overloaded with information.  At times I will blog about current events and provide background knowledge on the event.

• Sports: I don't foresee this becoming a large part of this blog but there will be times when pain from a Lions season or the joy of FIFA '14 will require a post.

• Musings about the Human Condition: There will be times when I want to explore my thinking or the thinking of others.  Enter musings.

I am curious to see the progression of this blog over time.  I expect it to become more focused and more thoughtful as I gain experience.

Let's begin a journey,

Jon