And with a broken wing
She still sings
She keeps an eye on the sky
With a broken wing
She carries her dreams
Man you ought to see her fly
The first step on my journey was overcoming obstacles I experienced in my past so that I could work towards my future. I enrolled in college so that I could be better "educated" so I could become more "qualified" to help empower others so that they can learn to overcome things for which they had no control (and even things they may have had some control over) and to empower them in realizing they have more power than they were previously aware of having.
Most of the time, I'm not really sure where I'm going to end up, but I try to stay optimistic by using post-its of inspirational quotes (and songs/song lyrics) like those to the side of my blog... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
So, I guess the next step of my journey isn't exactly entirely planned out yet; it will probably come as I am taking it just as so many other things in my life. I know I take steps to reach out to people... especially younger people. I do plan to continue my education of course... both in and out of school. I want to get more political and democratic experience as well -- become more familiar with it so maybe I can help others navigate through it and help them realize their democratic powers as well. We can do so much, but everyone else tells us otherwise so often that we've forgotten... or, worse, don't believe it.
As I said in class though... and as England wrote... it's a continual process -- I don't ever plan to be "finished" with anything because so many steps exist on my journey. I don't quite know where I'm going or how I'm going to get there, but I've guided myself along pretty well so far -- especially when I consider where I was -- so I know I'll get there. Even if I take a few detours, I'm sure I'll do it b/c I had the opportunity to change something along the way.
She loved him like he was
The last man on Earth
Gave him everything she ever had
He'd break her spirit down
Then come lovin' up to her
Give a little, then take it back
I think I just want to help people realize that no matter from where they came, the things they didn't really have control over, the mistakes they made, the opportunities they don't think they have, the people who tell them they will never be good enough or will never be able to do anything... no matter any of the things they've experienced that they see as negative... they don't have to be defined by it/them for the rest of their lives. They don't have to let those things control who they become and what they do. They can take responsibility (and accountability) for themselves -- and they need to in order to do what's best for them. I want to help them see the strengths they have because of what they've experienced and because of who they are as an individual.
She'd tell him about her dreams
He'd just shoot 'em down
Lord he loved to make her cry
"You're crazy for believin'
You'll ever leave the ground"
He said, "Only angels know how to fly"
I overcame an abusive past, an alcoholic and neglectful parent, etc.... I overcame many other things... the point is I overcame... I didn't let them defeat me -- whatever it was. Yes, there were times when I thought they might... and yes, there may have been times when part of me thought I wanted them to, but I always had a bit of hope... and that hope helped me to overcome. I guess that's the path I want to continue on... the path of hope -- not just for me but for other people I come across, and not just in work or in school but in general. Hope doesn't have any boundaries... it's not confined to spaces -- it can exist anywhere and everywhere. Maybe that sounds naive and optimistic to you, but with some of the things I've gone through (and others who have overcome similar and worse things), I think it's kind of a "right of passage" so to speak to allow myself to be...
We are all shaped by everything in our lives, especially the people we meet. That's why I try to offer kind words and smiles that are honest, sincere, and genuine. Sometimes all it takes is one word or one smile... England talks about the need for action... with which I do agree... but if people exercise their freedom of speech -- sometimes that's all it takes to put words into actions. Sometimes people (especially children) will say things but may not be able to act on them -- that's where we come in. I think we should be more humanistic and caring, in general. We shouldn't continue, as West said, to be so caught up in our daily lives that we don't care about anything else. And, as we read this week in our article... recognize the importance in not only focusing on the things we can't immediately control or change, but also focus on the things we can immediately control and change -- without losing sight of the bigger picture.
"We hold the hope of children in our hearts and in our hands. (England, p. 128)"
Hopefully I can inspire others to think... hopefully I can inspire them to act... hopefully I can inspire them to live. Hopefully, I can just inspire and empower...
How will I do this? With time, energy, a positive attitude and positive regard, and a sincere and genuine concern for the person as an individual.
I am also boycotting anything standardized... including SOOT surveys.
And with a broken wing
She still sings
She keeps an eye on the sky
With a broken wing
She carries her dreams
Man you ought to see her FLY...
(Just kidding... I did the SOOT earlier today)
I know we didn't have to post a link, but I thought this video was interesting. It's contains snippets of interviews from random people "on the street" talking about the importance of education and whether it is important and maybe what can be done to make it better...
Song Lyrics: "Broken Wing" Martina McBride
