Redefining the Medium: Fleeting Fame, Fast Friends and Social Media Connections Part I.

Redefining the Medium: Fleeting Fame, Fast Friends and Shifting Social Media Connections Part I.

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Korean Bell of Friendship

Friendship: the quality or state of being friendly, attached to another by affection or esteem: favored companion. Webster
Fame: the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed. Webster
Social Media: Social media supports the human need for social interaction, using Internet- and web-based technologies/tools to transform broadcast media monologues (one to many) into social media dialogues (many to many). Wikipedia

“Every expression of desired friendship has potential bite. Every smile reveals the teeth.” Dean Koontz

Friendship Highway - Tibet gorge

Recently, I watched Rabbi Schmuley Boteach speak about his tapes/new book during an NBC Today show interview. The explanation for why he wrote the book, based on 30 hours of taped confidential interviews with Michael Jackson, gave me pause. I paused because I wondered how the dead would truly react if they could respond to the actions of those who choose to speak on their behalf; sometimes in the name of friendship.

No matter how objective one wishes to be on matters of public interest, there comes a time when one must stop and wonder about the fleeting nature of fame and friendships. Of course, in Michael Jackson’s case, one wonders: Is this the action of a true friend? At what point do we cross the line of offering meaningful support to taking advantage in a relationship? Should all relationships be considered sacrosanct? In our contemporary, fast moving world of instant gratification, what is the new definition of friendship? Should the deceased be spared or, in the battle for media attention, is everything and everyone game?

“Silence is the true friend that never betrays.” Confucius

Friendship, Love and Truth

This is far from shocking especially when we consider that we live in a world where many of us clamor for our Andy Warhol coined phrase of 15-minutes-of-fame; while, needless to say, some of us focus on the extended version. Ironically, in the scramble for fast and fleeting fame, we have allowed our friendships to disintegrate; we know reality TV characters better than we know ourselves. We bond endlessly with people we have never met; and hopefully with some we plan to meet. Our TV friends meet us everywhere; online, offline and in hard copy. How does this serve our growth as social beings?

“What is a friend? – A single soul dwelling in two bodies.” Aristotle

Friendly Cubs

We have inherited a world where as the interviewer on a rather interesting episode of CBS’ 60 minutes suggested, CMG Worldwide is the CAA for “Delebrities” – the Dead On Arrival. For the famous, death can bring a new crop of fans and friends. For the living, Einstein is the biggest Deleb and according to a Wiki report, 85,000 claim to make a living as professional Elvis Impersonators. Yes, one can appreciate the need to give proper acknowledgment to the deceased and we must honor them, but what about the living? Aside from the financial benefits to heirs and handlers, what are the implications of this notion of perpetual, eternal fan friendships?

Looking back at the Michael Jackson Tapes revelation, what was equally telling was how different media outlets chose to present this discomfiting revelation of MJ’s private chats. It was viewed through different lenses; some clear, some tinted and others fogged over. An underlying question ought to be, do we need to know more? Granted, this is news, however, do we linger long enough to contemplate how massive doses of data flung at our heads are sifted? Do we still exercise logic and the process of evaluation? Do we need to be privy to every incestuous relationship? Even in the name of fame, fanship or friendship? I think most of us let the data fly by and then revisit it when we have quiet moments.

“I’m Nobody! Who are you? Are you — Nobody — too?
Then there’s a pair of us? Don’t tell! They’d advertise — you know!” Emily Dickinson

Two Elephant Trunks meet in Friendship

With the tremendous exposure to instant sound bites on what celebrities, close and distant friends/family, and even acquaintances do, it is no wonder that media saturation and information overload have blurred the lines between what we once considered public fodder and private discourse. With the click of a mouse, we have immediate access to information that can educate, titillate and truly aggravate us. We are not always better informed by the excess. Sometimes, it is simply, just damn overwhelming. Whether you are famous, infamous or irrelevant (though no one should be considered such), the internet has become home to all our fibs and foibles. Hence, it is not surprising that our definitions of friendship are distorted.

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” Anais Nin

HitLab Augmented Reality

Since many of us today are increasingly busy with our social networking communications, we have little time left for actual real life interactions. We have access to sophisticated toys, a growing array of new technologies and social network sites that have augmented and amplified our relationships and sense of reality. Some of these new technologies, like Augmented Reality (AR), a term coined in 1990 by Thomas Caudell, can and do offer compelling opportunities in the medical, gaming and learning environments. AR conferences draw industry gurus and brilliant researchers who are pushing the boundaries of invented reality; albeit an augmented one.

AR, in real-time, merges virtual 3D objects into real world video sources and creates a mixed reality. For instance, AR creates virtual characters that can step out of the page of a story book or a video screen as if real. There is research work on using AR technology to create virtual celebrities. This brings to mind the realization that, potentially, every child’s imaginary friend can be brought to life to interact and engage the child in some version of 3D wonderment. Yes, medical and learning environments will be enriched. All well and good … however, I can’t help but ask how this will affect our sense of wonderment and our use of pure imagination? I hope for the better…
More Later. TBC…

Photo Credits: Korean Bell ~ Google Images
Friendship Highway, Tibet Gorge ~ Marty L. Lutz
Friendship, Love and Truth ~ Google Images
Friendship ~ Icanhascheeseburger.com
Two Elephants in Friendship ~ Google images

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Be Fearless: Ten Easy Tips on Staying Up in a Down Economy.

Be Fearless: Ten Easy Tips on Staying Up in a Down Economy.

“You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Chinese Proverb and Symbol of Courage

As companies struggle to maintain some of their profit structure in our shifting global economy, many have had to find ways to increase productivity levels at less cost; the solution has been to cut costs by laying-off people. The impact of this inevitable decision is that more and more people have lost or continue to lose jobs, and most of us know several people in job transition.

The recent statistics from the US Bureau of Labor show that in the month of August, the unemployment rate rose to 9.7% and the number of unemployed in the USA increased by 466,000 to 14.9 million.

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

Embrace your Positive Power: A Powerful Sun Flare ... via NASA

This is not a time to be fearful about asking for help or shy about pursuing options that make good financial sense. The downturn has exacted a tremendous toll on millions of households and many people are depending on savings, goodwill and out-of-the-box solutions to keep head above water.

“You are only as strong as your purpose, therefore let us choose reasons to act that are big, bold, righteous and eternal.” ~ Barry Munro

Nature Shot # 22 By V. Pinke ... Follow the Road less Traveled.

For those who are still in a position to share generously of their good fortune, this is the time to stay attentive to the needs of close friends/family and neighbors and offer help without obvious prompting. This is not the time to let a false sense of civility prevent you from helping others.

For those who are in the throes of adjusting to the loss of income, this can be an incredibly overwhelming phase for you and your loved ones. Take a deep breath and cast aside the temptation to assign blame to former co-workers or dump your anger and frustrations on others; this is a critical time to reassess what truly matters to you and your family and find quick and easy ways to meet those needs.

“You can measure a man by the opposition it takes to discourage him.” ~ Robert C. Savage

Another Symbol for Courage: Stay Positive as this too Shall Pass...

You will need to develop a plan of action to keep your household afloat. As you begin to reorganize your financial life, create a plan with a holistic approach to managing your household; as searching for your next job will not be enough. The following 10 easy tips will help you stay positive and keep body, mind and spirit in sync.

“You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims.” ~ Harriet Woods

Even in Times of Chaos... Pause and Wash away Your Fears

Cut the Excess: The first step is to trim the areas where extravagance has ruled the roost in your household. If you are a mall rat and enjoy frequent shopping trips, this is the time to put the credit cards away and set limits on what you buy and when. Even food shopping, take-outs and restaurant visits will need to be re-evaluated. For those with discount, warehouse/club memberships, don’t get tempted to buy more and stockpile items, trim the fat and stick to a list that leaves you with more cash flow for emergencies and essentials. When necessary, use the many coupons that fill your mailbox as they are an excellent way to cut costs.

Strengthen Family/Friends Connections: This is an important time to reach out to extended family and close friends to inform them of your predicament, and ask for referrals and tips on available job opportunities. It is also a good time to let them know that you are no longer able to do certain things; especially social events or outings that require large financial outlays. It is important to solicit the support of friends and family as they can become the Achilles heel that prevents you from maintaining financial commonsense.

“You don’t drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.” ~ Unknown Author

Build Community wherever You are: Jehad Nga Iraq from the NYT

Build Your Community: If you are involved in your community via a place of worship, online social network sites, local participation in events and such, it will be wise to let those you respect in your community know of your plight; the goal is also to get the word out that you are looking for new employment. In this economic downturn, the competition for jobs is fierce; ignoring to reach out to as many contacts as possible can only diminish your opportunity for employment. Use your community as an additional resource for recommendations and job tips.

Organize Your Daily Job Search: After the initial shock wears off, take a moment to create a schedule to help you develop a daily routine. If you have not written a resume in many years, seek the assistance of a qualified center or resume writer and create several to fit a number of job areas. Keep in mind that even though some people think it’s a numbers game and mail hundreds of resumes, this is not wise. Apply only to jobs that you are well qualified for. You want to showcase your strengths therefore, being overqualified or under-qualified for a position will not get you an interview.

“You don’t lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.” ~ Ken Kesey

The Power of a Positive Idea... Affirm

Get Educated: Do your research to find information on funding and other help that might be available to you through the federal stimulus bill. Look into financial instruments that might help you gain some breathing room for your home. Consider applying for either a Workforce 1 skill enhancement voucher or if you were laid off by one of 31 financial institutions after June 30, 2008 you might be eligible for a re-training National Emergency Grant (NEG). Take advantage of re-training opportunities as a way to shore up existing skills.

Keep Up Your Exercise Routine: Maintain an exercise routine and commit to get out and exercise regularly. This is an important way to keep your endorphins stimulated and your mind clear. Do Exercise; walks in the park, running outside, yoga classes or even a swim at your local Y are all excellent ways to stay in top form as you prepare yourself for your next job.

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Even the Dark Storms Shall Pass... By Chaiten Spd

Learn More and Read more: Spend quality time in your local library and use the quiet time to catch up on your reading. If you have a hobby that was pushed to the wayside while you pursued a demanding career, this is the time to dust off the covers and re-kindle your love for the hobby; ideally this should be an inexpensive hobby. Spending time reading and reconnecting with the world of books will broaden your perspective, and give you material to refer to in interviews and social situations where the focus should not be on your job loss.

Visit Museums and other Places of Interest: For stimulating entertainment, try your local museums; most have a suggested fee scale and you may give only what you can afford. They are also great places to connect with like minded souls and will provide an excellent way to have a family outing. Visiting outdoor sites of interests or hiking around your area is another way to have family time that won’t be exorbitant.

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” ~ James Allen

As Above, so Below: Find Your Center ... WR Star via NASA

Carpool with Friends and Family: When necessary, carpool with friends and family for outings or short trips. Given the price of gas, it makes financial sense to not have all your vehicles on the road burning up gas. Looking for easy ways to share rides and save on gas will be a wise option. This is particularly imperative if you like to take road trips, socialize a lot via trips to/with friends, and also if you have teens who attend the same school and/or like to go out with friends regularly.

Potluck Meals and Meetings: Having potluck meals/meetings are an excellent way to get people to gather and enjoy quality time together. You can also organize potluck job review dinners and use them as a way to share tips and information with others who are going through the same predicament. Given the current growth of displaced workers in our communities, it will be wise to manage our funds carefully, find sensible ways to support each others efforts to regroup, and seek new employment with a healthy, positive attitude.

Trust that your efforts will pay off and they will. Now go do it. What are your thoughts? What are you doing differently?

Photo Credits:
Chinese Symbols ~ Google Images
Nature Shot #22 ~ by Veronika Pinke
Sun Flare and Dark Center of a WR Star ~ via NASA
Idea Bulb ~ Google Images
Dark Storms ~ by Chaiten spd
Times of Chaos ~ Nigeria via Google Images
Jehad Nga Iraq ~ via NYTimes

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Ten Reasons to Blog: Your Ego can Handle it!

Ten Reasons to Blog: Your Ego can Handle it!

“Blogs, social networks, newspapers, any other form of publication – all have social aspects to them. It is a spectrum really, with social networks at one extreme and a 19th century novel at the other. But there’s room for all types of social publishing platforms.” Richard MacManus

The Blogosphere awaits You...

Were you voted most likely to dominate the publishing world in pre-school and again in High School? Okay, so you always imagined becoming the next J.K. Rowling or publishing superstar? Let me guess, was it the famous psychic who assured you your name will be in lights with your words written all over it? Do you fantasize about retiring filthy rich with the money lode you earned blogging? Is your weekly grocery list the most creative prose you’ve written since your school days?

“Authenticity is not an automatic ticket to success in an attention economy. Because, if you choose a platform or business building model where a key element is attention, you’ve got to be not only authentic, but significant.” Jonathan Fields (Career Renegade)

Nature Shot #2 by Veronika Pinke

Alright, I hear your protests. Confess; did you send out a few inquiries to publishers with a treatment or two on How to Solve the Mystery of the Lemming Syndrome and got no response? Right, right… and that 5 page fictional outline on authentic yet insignificant baloney you mailed to 20 agents and publishers? Well, at least you got one reply; the rejection letter was curt and to the point “… Thanks, but no thanks!”

If you answered “yes” or even “no” to any of my questions, then writing a blog is the new path for you. Yes, you might get smacked down and your ego might take a beating but, you don’t want to take an unfulfilled desire to your nursing home or grave, do you? Even if you are busy and think you have little to offer; try blogging anyway; you might surprise yourself.

“One critical consideration when launching a blog is what you are going to call it.” Chris Garrett

Nature Shot #14 by Veronika Pinke

The internet is open to a wide spectrum of voices; why silence your voice? Daily, people from around the world sift through the noise, looking for their version of a gem; that gem could be one of your blogs … or not. Don’t spend too much time worrying whether everybody will love your blog; everyone won’t, some might, and perhaps a few will. Pick a blog name, check your ego at your blog door and go to it.
If you’re still not convinced, here are ten good reasons to blog: Trust me; your ego will thrive…

“Your blog is what you say when there is nobody standing over your shoulder telling you what to do.” Lorelle Van Fossen

I Like You... uploaded by Mike Montiero

♥ Create a digital identity on your terms. Your blog registers your personal memories, ideas, and opinions online for posterity. It is your creative expression and you decide what you wish to include. Embrace the identity you have selected for your foray into blogging. Are you the last angry woman or the happy-go-lucky sprite? Embrace her; she has friends dying to connect in the blogosphere. Go meet them. You can invite your alter ego to blog, you may express your moods and magic through various incarnations or personalities, just stay on point whatever the message. Regardless of who you choose to be, do keep in mind that you must manage your views as what you say is on the internet forever.

“I’ve long advised that bloggers seeking to make money from blogging spread their interests across multiple revenue streams so as not to put all their eggs in one basket.” Darren Rowse (Problogger)

Nature Shot #13 by Veronika Pinke

♥ Clarify your motivations and thoughts as you embark on this unique writing process. Even if the original impulse that led you to blog on a topic dries up quickly, push on and write anyway. Why am I blogging? It is important to ask this question on a regular basis. Blogging will help you engage in discussions that hold meaning for you and your gradually expanding readership. If you plan to make money from blogging, educate yourself on what that entails and then follow your calling. If you blog purely for enjoyment, don’t be shy about that fact either. It is your choice that counts and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

“I never remember what I read; I remember experiences. I find it best to dive right in and learn the hard way.” Pete Cashmore (Mashable)

Nature Shot#9 by Veronika Pinke

♥ Connect with both new readers and other bloggers in the blogosphere. As you write, you will find a vast door open that connects you to other bloggers; some with a similar bent or experience and others with vastly different sensibilities. This is perfectly fine. Eureka or inspirational moments can be triggered by reading a blog on a familiar or obscure subject. As you connect with other bloggers, you will open a gateway to new blogging experiences and knowledge. It can be quite a feast and you must be careful not to over-indulge. There are millions of bloggers out there and only 24 hours in a day. Be selective of which blogs to read daily and which ones to read occasionally. Don’t get overwhelmed by all the choices out there, let your forays into the blogosphere evolve.

“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers.” Brian Clark (Copyblogger)

Nature Shot#28 by Veronika Pinke

♥ Be open to re-evaluating your closely held premises about life, love and the world of ideas. As you formulate ideas and topics to write about, don’t hesitate to challenge yourself to feed off of other points of view; whether you play devil’s advocate or peacemaker, take a position and write on it. If you enjoy writing motivational pieces like I do, don’t censor yourself and pretend to be something else. Write how you feel and share your experiences; as long as your opinions are not completely outrageous you should write without fear of public sanction. Even if you choose to say something outrageous, do so with a clear head and the conviction to stand your ground. You are entitled to your opinion after all.

“I guess my point is, if you’re one of these people considering giving up on blogging in exchange for paying more attention to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MySpace, or whatever they throw at us mere mortals, bear in mind you are giving up on something rather unique and wonderful.” Hugh Macleod

Nature Shot #5 by Veronika Pinke

♥ Be bold about learning a new skill. Blogging is a skill that grows with time and the experience gained will be worth the journey. The explosion of social media sites and internet innovation will continue to provide vital fodder for creative, visionary thinkers. As the medium grows and you grow at blogging, you will learn about new applications/tools to help you improve your efforts and make blogging effective. As a new blogger in fall 2008, I soon learned that WordPress regularly updated and offered many blog design templates to choose from, that uploading images/video and writing simple html code for my blog was easier than I imagined. With each passing day/month, I learn new tips and tools about blogging and look forward to seeing (yes, with time) my blog enjoy exponential growth.

“The heart of blogging is linking…linking and commenting. Connecting and communicating is the purpose of the Internet.” George Siemens

Snow and Magiclight in NorthernJutland Denmark by Øyvind Strøm

♥ Develop an expertise in an area if you are so inclined. Are you ready to stay enthusiastic about a particular subject? This is not absolutely carved in stone. If you have several interests, like I do, don’t be afraid to explore them. Follow your spanda, your bliss, your voice and your blog will evolve. Whether you decide to be a generalist or a specialist is your prerogative; be at peace with your choice. Learn as much as you can on the topics you choose to write about and subscribe to your favorite bloggers to stay in touch with the community. Wikipedia.org and Google Images are great resources for material but there are tons you can learn from other bloggers including the bloggers whose quotes you read in my blog. Their names will link you back to their websites/blogs. Go visit and enjoy.

“I believe the term “blog” means more than an online journal. I believe a blog is a conversation. People go to blogs to read AND write, not just consume.” Michael Arrington

Fog in Dyrehaven near Copenhagen Denmark by Øyvind Strøm

♥ Develop discipline and a commitment to honor the goals you set for your blog postings. The best gift you can give yourself as a blogger is to be honest about what is/isn’t feasible time wise and stay true to your blog goals. When I took Darren Rowse’s 31 Days to Build a Better Blog in April, 2009, it helped me create a realistic schedule for posting my blogs. I knew that, given the demands of work, family, personal training goals, and other commitments, a weekly blog post would be ideal for me. Find your rhythm and go with it.

“The more popular a person thinks he is in the blogosphere, the thinner his skin and the thicker his hypocrisy. This should be exactly the opposite: the higher you go the thicker the skin and thinner the hypocrisy.” Guy Kawasaki

Kashmir Gathering by Ami Vitale

♥ Gain some perspective on readership, blogger stardom, media attention, blog statistics and search engine optimization (SEO). Even Technorati’s star bloggers identified in 100 Top Blogs by authority or 100 Top Blogs by reader favorites did not become wildly successful overnight. NorthxEast.com’s 50 most influential female bloggers focused on their content, their readership, and their blog goals and with time their influence spread. Don’t fixate on the numbers … ok, at least not daily!
The point is to focus on your game, do the best you can and enjoy the process. Even if you were being paid to blog, it really should not feel like a demanding second job. I enjoy researching and gathering information and photographs for my weekly posts. I actually find the process relaxing and fun because I always find something I never expected… so go with the flow; gain perspective my dear, perspective is key to longevity here.

“Just as we don’t spend a lot of time worrying about how all those poets out there are going to monetize their poetry, the same is true for most bloggers.” Seth Godin

The great Baobab Tree by Alli Cooper

♥ Take ownership and responsibility for your good/bad posts. To err is human and to forgive is divine. Unless like Seth Godin, you decide to disallow comments entirely, be prepared for positive, negative, spammy, and zero comments on your blog. Again, don’t fixate on the numbers. Did someone email you privately to say how much they enjoyed it? Fine. Move on… The fantastic part is that you have administrative control and can limit or edit comments as you deem fit. Another point to remember is that the joy of blogging includes the ability to edit your content whenever you want.

“Without the New York Times, there is no blog community. They’d have nothing to blog about.” Malcolm Gladwell

Focus: Don't let your Blog face a ~Total Eclipse by Yang Lei AP

♥ Please get over your fear of public rejection. Your blog represents one facet of who you are; it is not the whole picture. Even if some of your characters are fictionalized to protect the fill-in-the-blank, is your message conveyed effectively? Is the authenticity of your intention and the lesson learned expressed there? Yes, you may choose to re-invent yourself into some new-fangled persona through blogging and maybe, the characters in your blog are more exciting than the characters in your real life but so what? As long as you distinguish fact from fiction by the way you deliver your message, readers will understand you are not the New York Times or BBC News.
As your voice and vision grow, your confidence as a blogger will grow. If you have a niche, you will attract like minded spirits; if you don’t then enjoy your role as a renaissance man/woman. Perfectly acceptable. Now go to it! What do you think?

♥ Let me know how the process evolves for you. I’d love to hear from you regardless of where you are in your blogging history. Share some of your insights or tips here if you wish. Thank you!

***Spanda is a Sanskrit term for the subtle creative pulse of the universe as it transforms into a dynamic living form. The divine impulse to create!

Photo Credits:
Nature Photography by Veronica Pinke
More Nature Shots by Øyvind Strøm
I Like You uploaded by Mike Montiero via Creative Commons.
Kashmir Gathering by Ami Vitale
The great Baobab Tree by Alli Cooper
Total Eclipse by Yang Lei AP

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Back to School: The Gripes and Graces…

Back to School: The Gripes and The Graces

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~William Arthur Ward

President Obama and family; Michelle, Malia and Sasha.

First Labor Day Parade in NYC - 1882

“Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.” ~ Bill Dodds

Just as Labor Day (this year in the USA on September 7th ) celebrates the significant efforts working people, labor unions and labor law advocates put into making the world of work a safe and sensible place for many, it is equally pertinent that President Obama plans to encourage and inspire our school age children in his noontime speech on the first day of school – September 8, 2009.

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” ~Alvin Toffler

Arne Duncan - US Secretary of Education

According to, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan’s open letter to school administrators, “During this special address, the president will speak directly to the nation’s children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning.” The focus is clearly on learning skills/tools as Politifact.com correctly reiterates, not on socialist indoctrination as some detractors might lead one to believe.

“What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.” ~George Bernard Shaw

In a Reflective mood ~ President Obama via The NYTimes

President Obama’s impending speech is meant to serve as a catalyst for positive action and is reminiscent of what former President George Bush did in his 1991 call to school age students “urging students to study hard, disdain drugs and ignore peers “who think it’s not cool to be smart.”; the goal is to inspire not incite our children.

“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” ~Malcolm S. Forbes

Back to School at the Mall by Houry Photography

As my children and I discussed the brewing controversy around this upcoming speech, we agreed that it behooves all parents to have an honest, open-minded discussion about school with their children; especially as the first day of school approaches. If we pause to think about Labor Day; its hard fought union history, the current job market, the re-training of skills set and the shifting expectations in the work environment we see an opportunity to help our loved ones value education.

“Being a child at home in the summer is a high-risk occupation. If you call your mother thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you.” ~Erma Bombeck

The Back to School set ... teens relaxing

This is definitely an opportune time for dialogue; a time to revisit some of the gripes and graces that harkens back to topics our children have shared over many school years. Naturally, as our conversation progressed, I asked my children to share some of the things they like/dislike about the return to school. Since this is a collaborative effort, I will credit my children with giving me the two sections I created below:
I. Things that are dreadful about going back to school
II. Things that are delightful about going back to school

“Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.” ~John W. Gardner

As the workload grows...

I. Things that are dreadful about going back to school
“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing worth knowing can be taught.” ~Oscar Wilde

The No Way summer vacation ends soon kids... by Michelle F

Perhaps one of the most dreaded things about waking up early for school is the clanging sounds of an alarm clock ending any notions held of spending an extra minute in bed. Waking up really early, for some children this occurs well before the crack of dawn, to get ready for school and waiting for a school bus on a freezing cold day is not fun. This is particularly difficult after a long weekend of fun and feasting; especially during the major holiday season.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” ~Albert Einstein

Life on the Yellow School bus...

The boredom factor: This kicks in once kids get into the flow of school time routines and the sameness of certain events make school a chore; a dull teacher in an equally dull course, cafeteria meals that taste the same, that school bus route that never changes and the idle chatter that lingers long after one gets off the bus.

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” ~Sydney J. Harris

The not so charming bunny by J. Benton...

Getting past the obnoxious set or clacks of disruptive students is a challenge for many school age kids and youths. There are students, especially insecure students, who berate or bully others to feel powerful when in fact their actions underscore self-loathing. In schools where zero tolerance for this type of behavior is not stressed in school assemblies, a prevalence of bad behavior can make life difficult.

“When a subject becomes totally obsolete we make it a required course.” ~Peter Drucker

What happened teacher? by Adibi?

Unprofessional, lazy or annoyingly biased teachers can put a child’s academic efforts at peril. Teachers who lack diplomacy or make little effort to ensure all students who come to them learn, need to re-evaluate why they chose the profession. Teachers who are unable to separate their personal prejudices from their interactions with students in a classroom are a true danger to the learning process.

“Learn as much as you can while you are young, since life becomes too busy later.” ~Dana Stewart Scott

As the Testload overwhelms... by Andy Eklund

The litany of state and national tests; an endless battery of grade level tests, PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP tests and the impact it has on actual learning can wreck havoc on school students. Often, teachers are caught in the middle of a district’s demands for improved scores that they focus on rushing through the teaching of test curricula. And the end result? Assimilation of content gets sidetracked, students feel overwhelmed, under-informed and stressed out by the process.

“The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.” ~Kahlil Gibran

The campaign to leave no child unschooled...

II. Things that are delightful about going back to school
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” ~John Dewey

The Four Behaviors...

Noting beats a graceful transition back to the routine of school. Getting back into the discipline of an orderly, organized school routine on a daily basis gives most students something to focus on beyond laptops and TV. Learning to become accountable for doing homework and preparing for class assignments helps students learn about time management and the value of hard work.

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” ~Victor Hugo

The Back to School Social Animals...

The social factor: The return to school means no more lollygagging on the sofa as a self-proclaimed recluse. Students reconnect with old friends to catch up on summer tales and accomplishments; especially friends who went away for the summer. They also have ample opportunity to make new friends in class and in extra-curricular activities or after school programs they have selected.

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. ~Benjamin Franklin

It's Back to School time in the Big Apple ~ NY!

Learning something new, whether it entails developing new interests/hobbies or simply exploring new ideas in classroom discussions adds excitement to the back to school experience. Learning new content and interacting with other students in a class where the teacher emphasizes a positive learning environment is a big plus for all learners.

“Education is the movement from darkness to light.” ~Allan Bloom

Happy is the class where the teacher listens and cares...

Reconnecting with supportive, excellent teachers/counselors and developing vital connections with new teachers is something young students anticipate as they return to the fold of a familiar school environment. As the school year starts, students do wonder what their teachers will be/act like. Building strong alliances with other students and teaching staff is particularly imperative for students transferring to a new school; they have to navigate the minefield of adjusting to a new terrain and support on all levels is critical to a successful adjustment.

“Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire. ~William Butler Yeats

At the heart of the matter is that the commitment to learn is a courageous act...

The recognition that attending school is a trajectory to success is an incentive to get focused and do the best one can. For students who plan to go to college, setting learning goals and meeting them in school is an important step in preparing for college. For students with vocational aspirations, recognizing that school offers the fundamentals they need to move into trade or skilled work is an equally important incentive to do well.

“If you talk to your children, you can help them to keep their lives together. If you talk to them skillfully, you can help them to build future dreams.” Jim Rohn

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” ~Chinese Proverb

The locker door from here to there .... SUCCESS

In the final analysis, learning is a choice. While some parents might feel the legal burden of keeping disaffected students in school and wait for the day it all ends, it is essential that we encourage our children to maintain a curiosity about the joys of learning.
We must learn to see and let our children see the value of obtaining an education which is something of great intrinsic value; an intrinsic value that no one can take away from them.

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” ~Attributed to Andy McIntyre and Derek Bok

Even Rodney Dangerfield finally gets some respect ~ Get Educated.

As a parent, I feel very strongly about the doors of opportunity an education can open. Every child deserves to have a chance to walk through those doors. What do you think?

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” ~Aristotle

Photo Credits:
Essence, Wikipedia, NY Times, GPS Magazine
Houry photography, GreenPens, 4Behaviors< Cotton Inc,
Jim Benton, Michelle F, Andy Eklund, Adibi?,

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank