The Most Brilliant Thoughts

Plowing through the offerings at Barnes and Noble I came across an very interesting book. It is titled The Most Brilliant Thoughts of all Time, (in two lines or Less)/ It is edited by John Shanahan. I thought that I might share some of these are the blogs go on.

Men despise great projects when they do not feel themselves capable of great successes.Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues, 1715-1747

There is a certain amount of negative envy from people who cannot do great projects. It is one of those reactions that we all have to deal with. It can also stiffle great projects.

In the 80's I had a mentor project in the High School. Many teachers were interested in getting into computers as a way of "cleaning up their act." I applied and received 8 projects of support and execution of desktop projects throughout the district. I provided one on one in services and supported many teachers and started many very interesting projects that teachers continued to do.

Thee were a number of teachers that could not do what I was doing and started a backside negative program. I heard from these people that they were verbally wondering why a speech and language teacher that had no classroom of his own (I still don't) could ever be worthy of a "mentor" project honor. One teacher who was on the selection committee went so far as to tell me that I was crazy to apply since computers were the work of the devil. One teacher told my friends that I shouldn't have it since I would be paid for pursuing my hobby.

Within six months of the end of my project this fellow teacher wanted help with this outside business. I was able to help him (setting aside my inside knowledge) and he helped my by paying for my services.

We all have to make sure that those who can't don't get in the way of those that dream and can.

Love
Pat