Reflections from Class

I take the weirdest notes in Class, especially in the beginning when I am trying to contextualize the reality of the class. Below are some notes from my second day of classes, which is the first day subjects are actually treated. I hand wrote the note in green and red pen, and I'm trying to preserve that here. The black is commentary I'm adding now.

8/26/09

soo, here I am, back in school. I am trying to date my Journals so that I can look back and understand where the entries fit. (in my early morning class 1st week of school)

I Journal. It's not something I try to do. It is something I do. Simple.

I am in a dark place. I have been for long time. I find it difficult to know more than that.

School and work are great if I just immerse myself in it, because they pull me out of my insistent self. They stimulate my mind and spirit.

systems of education must be regionally applied and adapted from the grass roots.

My professor in my engineering entrepreneurship class was talking at this point about regional opportunities.

What are you trying to do?

My professor asked this. And the following is me trying to answer using the mission statement I wrote years ago.

The purpose of My Life is to make everymoment a loving Sacrifice for Bahá'u'lláh and a benediction for mankind.

I will use:

- intuitive perception - open eyes

- see patterns - unassuming

- devotion and zeal – appreciate others

humility in learning

- learning } these 4 actions

- teaching } serve and fulfill

- serving } the four attri-

- helping others} butes above

travel – supports all others

I want to help others serve more than anything else but this is only one activity.

I need to remember to take my time and make the most of my opportunities to learn, teach and serve. I cannot force others to serve. We must each choose our own paths in life. This is a right and responsi-bility placed upon us by our Creator which none may infringe upon. Growing into our freewill both individually and collectively is an feature of maturation.

By harnessing my powers as an individual through learning and serving and if the opprotunity arises teaching, I will create the greatest change because I will be contributing to a shift in the habits that shape my and the collective habits of my community.

_______________________

Entrepreneurship in life

“What is a new way to approach my

community } How can I

daily habits } systematically

my heart } and continuously

my Lord } improve my life

my family }

“If people want to I'll do it”

~the IE answer for yes

this is something my professor said that I think fits me well.

The Irrepresible Mr Toad

Bahh! 

I feel like the Mole in that children's story, happy and content in his hole until some crazy TOAD comes along and crashes through his front door with a fancy-schmancy death trap called an automobile!  O sure I would love to pretend the whole thing never happened!  But now I know there is a whole world above my roof!  And a maniac hell bent on stirring up more trouble than you have a right to!  Well Mr Toad, this Mole is not going to stop until I am good are ready!

Your comments yesterday have perplexed me-- mind you, it's not because I'm trying to understand you but rather because I'm trying to understand myself.  You are one of the most responsible people I have ever met, and yet you seem hell bound not to think of yourself thus. You are a wild and free spirit, but that only means you're all the more responsible.  Still, that's not what this is about.  It's about why I, who have felt the desire, or at least pressure, to be responsible my whole life, when faced with responsibility flee from it; it's about why I, when faced with the possibility of attaining the things I want most, that which I consider true success, I decide to head for the mole hills.

I don't think I'm making mountains out of those hills either.  I just think it's time for this behavior to stop.  Sure it could continue; it wouldn't be the end of the world.  I could live a very comfortable and--dare I say it-- successful life in my mole hole.  Many people do.  But what kind of story would it be if in the beginning of the book Mole went back into his hole?

see, now I think I understand why you don't keep regular pen pals.  One conversation with you tears away veils I would prefer not to know I had.  My mind is locked on this problem now like a vice; I cannot escape its grip.  This is always the case when I ride in your automobile Mr Toad!  

BAHHH!