There's something to be said for taking a few moments to absorb an experience not expected. We've been on a break from school for the week. I've appreciated it because I've been able to get some rest and recover from my latest bout of cold and laryngitis.
I didn't have anything planned per se. I was in my study looking over the books on my shelf and wondering if I should take each off and dust. Instead, one of the first books I pulled was The Journals of Sylvia Plath. I sat down and before I knew it, I was rereading. I was especially noting the highlights and annotations I originally made...as a 23 year old! Wow. The experience of those couple of hours brought insights into my thinking and remembrances of my life during that period of time...there's something to be said for that. I use to subscribe to The Detroit News--I'd read it starting with the Sports section and ended with the crossword puzzle. Tuesday I got a copy of The Free Press. There's something to be said, putting the social media away and take in hand a tangible conveyance of information (unfortunately, a dying breed) and going through my old routine ending with...yes, the crossword puzzle. There is something to be said for grasping a brief realization of a pastime that on occasion is worth revisiting. There's something to be said (a common idiom in our vernacular) for something recommended that seemingly doesn't have immediate or apparent advantages, but when pausing and pondering, these seemingly small moments can be filled with unexpected appreciation gained or regained; it can be enjoyable. A renewed awareness of something simple that was previously hidden or unclear can provide a perceptive and intuitive bridge to and from the more hectic major pieces we have to carry in our daily lives. It's a smattering of being mindful...grateful. There's something to be said for small but significant increments of growth or positive change. Even though patience is tried and tested, I'm sure the McKnight family can attest, there is something to be said for the minute yet humble steps of Doug's daily improvement...yes, indeed! Think of the last time you were consciously grateful and, perhaps, heard your internal dialogue echo: There's something to be said for _____________________. Write and describe those moments. Better yet, share with someone. Even better, take time to go outside what is immediately apparent and capture a deeper realization and understanding of those simple moments which help us appreciate a more thoughtful view of life's generosity of gifts and goodness...because you know what? There's something to be said for that. Over the last two weeks, my voice has been lost...no where to be found. I came down with a bad chest cold and ended up with a case of laryngitis. This has been most frustrating as my ability to communicate with my classes--helping in discussion and analysis of literature--has been thwarted and stymied. Much more than words are expressed through our voice. Each of us has a distinctive quality in our voice which reveals not only our personality but our authentic selves. (Besides, some would tell you this is pure torture for me as they claim I love to hear myself talk) "Voice," as a noun, comes from Old French (13c), "voiz" meaning "voice, speech, word, saying, report." As a verb it means, "to express, give utterance to" using vocal cords. Obviously, my voice is a necessary instrument in conducting my classes. I rely on it to utter instruction, illuminate ideas, and use tone and inflection to convey my excitement reading and appreciating such works as "Beowulf" and Greek Mythology, presently. In the past, my sister (back in our college days) and I were heavily involved with singing and performing gospel concerts. We always had to take care of our voice and sometimes the quality and volume were put off with a bout of soreness or an over extension of our vocal cord use. The purity of our voices may have suffered but never the distinct quality and unique sensibility our harmony brought to bear; individually our voices were different, however, together they blended into something pleasing. An interesting paradox about someone's voice is it can have the same potentially profound impact when unified collectively with other voices and singularly; a single voice can be just as powerful in its impact because of its authenticity, message. and ability to inspire. We have witnessed this power over the past few weeks in the voices that have been lifted up in unison expressing concern, support, and love to the McKnight family. Doug's family, friends, students, colleagues, and even those who have been following his story on social media all have made a point to use their voice to acknowledge their support to and for the family---they, given their individual and collective voices, have created an encouraging rallying cry for Doug's better days ahead. There is, indeed, a power in this type of compassionate expression. I may have lost the sound of my voice, however, no one can truly take a person's authentic voice away. It is distinctive, personal, and like no other. Even an unborn child can recognize the unique voice of the mother. It's the genuine coherent verbal form that can advocate, care, and inspire. "A loud voice cannot compete with a clear voice, even if it's a whisper." (Barry Neil Kaufaran) We use our voice for many things, hopefully, it is for the building up as opposed to the tearing down, for unifying toward a common good and purpose as opposed to being divisive for selfish reasons, for expressing what is possible as oppose to what is not. Our voices are powerful instruments, they possess the potential for both good and ill. We need to not take for granted all that they are capable of. You have a unique voice. Take tender care of it. Use it for good...it matters. Don't lose it. P.S. Just 'heard' Doug's voice, how sweet his sound! I try to come up with a "new" word each week for my blog. It is exciting and scary at the same time. On one hand, I never truly know where the idea is going to come from; it's an unknown. Yet, when it does all fall into place it's exciting and I feel a small sense of a barrier broken which enables me to move forward to the next week.
One of the interesting things about the word new is that it is often used with the word 'brand' which is also an adjective (although, new can function as a noun/adverb as well). Remember... (you older folks out there) when the curtain opened and announcer Johny Olson of The Price is Right bellowed..."It's a BRAND NEW CAR!" Originally, (1500s) the word brand (a noun), + new meant something likened to newly forged iron. Also, this sense is how Shakespeare used it in Love's Labor Lost: "A man of fire-new words." Something that presents itself as new to us can be pleasing and satisfying -- the sense of wonderment of a 'first-time' or having an original of some kind, or something that is in pristine condition. The experience is fresh with excitement or even joy. However, the new which can present itself to us can be faced with apprehension and even dread because it is unknown, unfamiliar, and uncertain in how it is going to bring about changes in our life. With new always comes the component of change. If it is something anticipated, we see the experience as an adventure. If it is a brand new experience knocking at our door because of unfortunate, unforeseen circumstances then we are compelled to meet the challenge head on. Again, this word and blog post has been inspired by the recent events of Doug McKnight's battle and recovery efforts. He was accepted into the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan where he will get excellent care and treatment. This will be all new, not just for Doug, but for his family and friends. It definitely means with each new day, sustaining an endurance for the constant daily flux and persistence of change will be a necessity. Yes, something that is brand new, like forged iron, will need to be tested with fire. Challenges we face require heavy doses of faith and assurance that our efforts will not be in vain. Doug will face fire-new obstacles. Some will appear insurmountable...but really, the new challenges can be fire-forged brands-- emblematic of courage and hope stamped on the hearts of many. Yes, something new can be unfamiliar or strange to us, it can be a kind of moment which appears for the first time, or a time when we must work and sweat because we're unaccustomed to its existence and consequence. Yet, we have to break through each barrier of the unknown with strength we might think we don't have. And yes, when we are faced with change and the newness of an altered situation in our life, we, like Doug, do not have to go it alone. Brand new ropes of steel, fire strengthened and tested, can be discovered through the thoughtful gestures and gentle boosts from others...lifting up, forging ahead, and dispelling doubt. ..because what is new can also bring pathways of hope. Jenn, Doug's wife, said it best: "And we are off to start the new chapter of our story." Well said, Jenn, well said... |
JCBeaversI don't live to teach, I teach to live. My life has been sparked by the constant craving to write...to pause and ponder. Archives
December 2018
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