Posts Tagged ‘head heart hands hope’

“I was in Tonga as a Learning Specialist.” – Doc Meek

Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Today I am so happy and grateful for my good connections with Tongans and the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific Islands. ~ Doc Meek, Neurological Learning Specialist

Beautiful Tongan sunset

Tonga Sunset

Tongan sunset image from:

http://photo_artist.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=6231056

Watch a gentle Tongan sunset-time video at this link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKbnBHlUM4M

Lucky me! I got to see the Tongan culture and lifestyle first-hand, and for more than two years, thank heaven!

I was appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Education out of BYU-H (Brigham Young University-Hawaii) in 1999,  and sent to the Kingdom of Tonga with my beloved wife Jeannette. Both of us were appointed to participate in the ITEP (International Teacher Education Program) sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The teachers and students and the administrators all worked together to raise the student achievement dramatically.

Way to go Tonga educators!

They helped the students get higher marks and they also helped them change attitudes, behaviors, and cooperation with other students and teachers.

The results? Happier students and healthier students (and wealthier students, wealthy of mind). 😮

They took the meaning of active learning beyond expectations.

And they took my “heads-hearts-hands-hope” inclusivity to a new high.

The Tongans taught me more than I taught them.

Tongans are generous of heart and mind, non-judgmental, and they loved and respected me.

And Tongans loved and respected my wife Jeannette even more.

Naturally! She’s better looking than I am! 🙂

And we loved and respected Tongans.

Forever.

Jeannette was a real hit with the students and their parents. She directed a 150-voice Tongan choir, mostly youth, and learned to appreciate the saying, “When Tongans sing, the angels sing with them.”

Tongans can sing 7-part harmony a capella, with ease and grace.

And they can dance too! Sometimes wildly. 😮 Wow!

Jeannette also taught an English class for young adults who had all failed to pass their “big English Test” in high school. Thus their gateway to higher education was closed to them (at least in their minds, and in the minds of their parents).

Permanent “doom.”  No hope.

Until Jeannette showed up and pointed out (dramatically):

“I don’t care how others have graded you. I am going to grade you up!”

She added (as some of the students thought this palangi [Caucasian] teacher might give them all an easy “pass”):

“We are going to study and write that exam again; then we are going to study and write that exam again; and then we are going to study and write that exam again!”

The students were stunned.

The thought of writing that dreaded exam again and again was not part of the cultural norm at that time.

If you flunked, you flunked. That was it. You were an “educational failure for life.”

Jeannette faithfully taught a class of 32 students (who came from far and wide when they heard about her famous English class).

Twenty-eight (28) went on to higher education. And the rest carried their newly-found self-confidence into other great opportunities.

We are forever grateful to the first student in Jeannette’s class: Uini, whose dear father asked Jeannette if she would help his daughter with English.

Thank you Tongans for the greatest two years in any land!

A special salute to the parents and teachers and students and administrators in all the Tongan Islands.

And a dozen “high fives” for Mele Taumoepeau, who was Principal of Liahona High School on Tongatapu during my time in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Mele made the hard work sing! Thank you, Mele!

Kindness, Doc

Doc Meek, Tues, September 13, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. My beloved wife Jeannette is now building her new health and wellness business, which is giving new hope and health and wellness to people with heart disease and diabetes:

http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam

“The world breaks . . . ” ~ Ernest Hemingway

Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Today I am grateful for the knowledge that obstacles and crushing defeats can be a means of greater strength and character. It’s just that I can’t feel that in my heart right now. 😮 Maybe later, eh? ~ Doc Meek

Image from: http://media.photobucket.com/image/waves%20on%20rocks/zendrynmoon/PICT1176.jpg?o=5#!oZZ5QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.photobucket.com%2Fimage%2Fwaves%20on%20rocks%2Fzendrynmoon%2FPICT1176.jpg%3Fo%3D5

VIDEO: Water breaking on rocks, from YouTube: http://youtu.be/LhZUiIg3uJc

“The world breaks everyone

and afterward

many are stronger in the broken places.”

– Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961); novelist, Nobel Prize winner

Quote from: http://www.values.com

Thank you Ernest Hemingway for your universal insight for all of us!

Doc Meek, Tues, July 12, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

“A gondola and a taste of Italy.” ~ Doc Meek

Wednesday, July 6, 2011.  Today I am happy and grateful that I was able to spend my 17th Wedding Anniversary with my beloved spouse Jeannette. ~ Doc Meek

A gondola and a gondolier

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice

I didn’t have the money to take my spouse Jeannette to Italy for our 17 Wedding Anniversary, so I rented the Venice Room in the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

We slept in a gondola in the Venice Room at the Anniversary Inn, and that gave us a nice taste of northern Italy. The gondola was anchored to the floor so we didn’t get seasick! 😮

Image from: http://www.anniversaryinn.com/fifth-south/room/7-venice

Doc Meek, Wed, July 6, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

“Learning we are loved, even when we don’t feel it.” ~ Doc Meek

Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Today I am grateful that somewhere . . . somewhere . . . there is always a heart that beats in unison with our own heart (even, and especially, when we feel that no one loves us!). ~ Doc Meek
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I am grateful that I received an emailed quotation from Values.com today:
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Today’s Value: caring
CARING
Caring is to feel and show concern for others.
Get inspired:
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Quote of the Day
CARING

“For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.
For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.
For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it. ”
– Ivan Panin (1855-1942)
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Thank you, Ivan Panin and Values.com, for helping us to discover, remember and learn consciously, fundamental truths!
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Doc Meek, Wed, June 29, 2011, en route from YEG (Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA) to SLC (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA), to spend my 17th Wedding Anniversary with my beloved, my wife Jeannette!

“Changing from Empty to Emotionally Rewarding Relationships.” ~ Doc Meek

Thursday, June 23, 2011. Today I am grateful for those who have defied personal hopelessness, and learned how to bring dead relationships alive again, and enjoy life. ~ Doc Meek

Product Details

Image above and text below from: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Languages-Secret-That-Lasts/dp/0802473156/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308878470&sr=1-1

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to

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Thank you, Dr Gary Chapman and countless couples who have given up hopelessness, avoided divorce, and (unbelievably) were able to become emotionally caring again, after spending years in dead relationships.

Doc Meek, Thurs, June 23, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

“Girls think boys . . . ” ~ Reader’s Digest

Tuesday, June 21, 2011. Today I am grateful for common sense. ~ Doc Meek

Image from:

http://www.greatnotions.com/pr/embroidery/Machine+Embroidery+Designs/1/14870.aspx

It must have been 60 years ago (at least) that I read in the Reader’s Digest one of those famous one-liners that I love so dearly:

“Girls think boys are rude and uncouth when they stare at what they are trying so hard to display.”

The other day I read an article in the daily newspaper wherein a woman was decrying a policeman’s warning women that it was in their best interests not to dress like “sluts”  because it gives the wrong kind of message to men.

Since this was after a rape horror story, the woman was upset that the policeman seemed to be blaming the victim for her rape, that the policeman should have been blaming the rapist.

Never Blame the Victim

Of course we should never blame the victim of any kind of crime. Never.

Something is missing here however in the public dialogue on serious criminal matters.

If women go into dark alleys at night  alone, if they hitchhike, if they wear really provocative clothing, they will generally, sooner or later, come to unwanted grief of some kind, minor or serious. Or really serious.

Of course women have the right to go anywhere they want, behave any way they wish, and wear anything they please.

And be safe.

However, they do need to use their common sense. They need to notice that we are living in a society where it is unsafe (generally speaking) for women to advertise their defenselessness or their sexual assets.

Women Should Rebel

Women should rebel. Yes, they should rebel against a fashion industry that puts incredible pressure on women to display themselves purely as sexual beings, instead of displaying themselves as  good personalities or intelligent beings.

We are all sexual beings. To display this as a front-runner is simply unwise if sexual safety is desired.

This does not, in any way, excuse rape or rapists! Nor does it excuse any kind of sexual predators or “unwanted-remarks” from men!

It is just common sense to dress modestly and display your intelligence instead!

Doc Meek, Tues, June 21, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

“Learn When to Reverse The Golden Rule.” ~ Doc Meek

Saturday, June 18, 2011. Today I am grateful for people who are able to treat others as they themselves would like to be treated. ~ Doc Meek

l_225dda5b73d6fb4626f165efbbb54667.jpg golden rule

“The Golden Rule” in 5 different philosophies/religions

Image from: http://photobucket.com/images/%22golden%20rule%22/#!cpZZ2QQtppZZ24

As a general rule, The Golden Rule is a great yardstick for our behavior and our mental/emotional  health.

However, in the specific case of a specific individual, we need to remember that our particular “language” of receiving what we want may not be the same “language” that the other person recognizes.

Here is a simple example:

I, Doc Meek, love books and reading. Applying The Golden Rule as a general rule, I would want to make sure that others had access to books and reading. I might even buy a book and give it to someone.

Here’s the catch.

And here’s why we need to learn when to reverse The Golden Rule.

What if the other person hates books and reading? And loves action-oriented things, with which I am miserably unacquainted.

I probably wouldn’t even think of action-oriented things! 😮

So in this case, I would have to try to see the world through the other person’s eyes, to try to treat him/her as they would want to be treated, not how I would want to be treated.

Reversing The Golden Rule

Reversing The Golden Rule (by saying, “Do unto others what they like, not what I like,” or something like that. :o), I would give the other person a pair of skates or a hockey stick, say, or a basketball, or a baseball, or a kite.

Or a tree to climb. 😮

I would give the other person whatever action-oriented item that I knew (or could find out from his/her friend) would “warm the cockles of their heart.” I would definitely not give them “some dumb book!” 😮

Lesson learned?

Doc Meek, Sat, June 18, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. Here is a reminder that “The Golden Rule” is present in more religions/philosophies than just the 5 shown above:

Click on image to enlarge

“The Golden Rule” in 13 different philosophies/religions

Image from: http://photobucket.com/images/%22golden%20rule%22/#!cpZZ2QQtppZZ24

“God’s Blue Roses.” ~ Doc Meek

Sunday, June 12, 2011. Today I am grateful for my friend who reminded me of the gift of “God’s Blue Roses.” ~ Doc Meek

Light Blue Rose

Image from: http://media.photobucket.com/image/blue%20rose/igorica/Favorites/ColorSplash4.jpg?o=4

A Blue Rose

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn’t in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, “Mommy, I’m over here.”

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, “Hey Buddy, what’s your name?”

“My name is Denny and I’m shopping with my mother,” he responded proudly.

“Wow,” I said, “that’s a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve.”

“Steve, like Stevarino?” he asked.  “Yes,” I answered. “How old are you Denny?”

“How old am I now, Mommy?” he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.

“You’re fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by.”

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone’s attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny’s mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn’t even look at him, much less talk to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God’s Garden; however, “Blue Roses” are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn’t stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they’ve missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, “Who are you?”

Without thinking I said, “Oh, I’m probably just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God’s garden.”

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, “God bless you!” and then I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don’t turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

From an old dandelion!  Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

– Maya Angelou (African American writer, poet; activist; born Marguerite Ann Johnson, 1928)

Maya Angelou

Image from: http://mayaangelou.com/

………………………………………………………

Thank you my friend B, Maya Angelou, and all of you who love Blue Roses! God Bless you all!

Doc Meek, Sun, June 12, 2011, Sherwood Park, AB, CANADA

“Learning is enhanced by good music.” ~ Doc Meek

Julia Ward Howe in her later years

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Ward_Howe

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Thursday, June 9, 2011. Today I am grateful that good music is becoming more a part of my life. For reasons that are not clear to me, I have been thinking of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” ~ Doc Meek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmTWVJ_pXBk&feature=related

I “lucked out’ and found the history of this song on the internet:

“The story of ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ told from the historical perspective of the great-great-great grandson of the song’s author, Julia Ward Howe”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4asbUnc3pq4

Learn about your own family history at:

http://www.familysearch.org or http://beta.familysearch.org

Thank you, Julia Ward Howe (and your great, great, great grandson) for this amazing and invigorating song!

Doc Meek, Thurs, June 9, 2011, Sherwood Park, AB, CANADA

“Learn about health hoaxes.” ~ Doc Meek

Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Today I am grateful for people who research and try to find the truth, instead of hyping a product. Such a one is the “Natural Health Sherpa.” ~ Doc Meek

Doc Meek, Tue, June 7, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA