Monday, August 31, 2009

Knowledge Is Power

One of the goals I have set for myself for five years from now is to take a literature class and an Italian class. This is something I have wanted to do for years, but I knew it would have to wait until all my children were older. Now that 4 are out on their own and the rest are indeed getting older, that goal is a lot closer. Knowledge is something that has always been important to me, and since I have always home schooled my kids, I have tried to drill that into them. They see me with my nose stuck in a book frequently and I joke with them and tell them that since I lost brain cells with each pregnancy, I have to do what I can to replenish them, and that's why I inhale as many books as I can:-)

Here are some neat thoughts I found on knowledge and teaching.

"Like the muscles in our bodies, the brain gets strong in the places
where we train it."
Eileen McDargh

"Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,
whatever. Never let the brain be idle."
George Carlin

"Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, teachers."
-- Richard Bach

"One exclusive sign of a thorough knowledge is the power of teaching."
-- Aristotle

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
-- James 1:5

Suggested Reading

Book: All the Stars In Heaven
Author: Michele Paige Holms

The Book
Ever since the woman he once adored told Jay Kendrich he was a chivalrous her, he has tried to live up to the praise. But when things don't work out with Jane, moving on and dating other girls proves to be a chore. That is until he meets fellow Harvard student Sarah Morgan. Although Sarah is a freshman studying music and Jay is in his third year of law school, he discovers they have much in common. He has also discovered that getting to know the shy pianist is painful. The last thing Jay expected from his friendly advances was to be assaulted by a brawny stranger. It is abundantly clear that someone wants him to stay away from Sarah. If only he could.

As long as she can remember, Sarah has lived under a watchful eye. While her father insists it's for her own protections, Sarah feels imprisoned. As she begins to believe that those she has trusted most don't have her best interest at heart, she is driven further from her respected father and closer to Jay. But their love will come at a high price as the pair edges closer toward to a truth that is darker than either of them could have imagined.

This is a great story that you can get into even if you haven't read Counting Stars. I fell in love with the characters and the story kept me completely hooked.
Get your copy of All the Stars In Heaven today!

5 comments:

JoAnn Arnold said...

Thoroughly enjoyed your blog. Knowledge is indeed power. The quotes are well worth writing down and keeping in a place where we can read them often. Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed the introduction of "Alll the Stars in Heaven".

Heather Justesen said...

I've wanted to go back to school for my masters but haven't been able to for various reasons. Still, I've looked up book lists for classes I would have taken if I could enroll and read them, which has been interesting.

We should definitely never stop learning.

Shirley Bahlmann said...

Italian! Wow! All i know is "ciao." Weird spelling for "chow!"
You go, girl!

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

So true. Knowledge is power. I returned to college after my children were out of high school. It was intense, but I really enjoyed it.

Heather Moore said...

That is so ironic, Jewel, because I'd love to learn Italian. I took French for many years (can hardly remember anything, but it comes back now and then). But Italian really sounds like fun.