Yes to Life

My dear class.
 
Every situation in life is an opportunity for growth, for connection, for
life.  Somehow I don't feel that we are learning everything we can learn
in this class.  Yes, the mathematical material is going fine for the most 
part with small fixes here and there, but is it all there is to 
learning?  If I am not learning from my students, if we don't
learn from each other, if all that we think life is about is getting 
degrees and achieving external goals, then eventually emptiness
 will set in and we will start asking...

I would like to hear from you more.  Please do not be afraid to share.  
What I usually did in the past is to take the names out and share the 
essential stuff.  The process generates beuatiful thoughts that transform 
into energy and positive attitudes and empower us.  Give it a try.

What I would like to do is devote a few minutes each class period
to sharing.  I believe that beautiful things are going to happen and I 
would like to start today.  What is common between this activity and math 
is the play with ideas.  Math is based on ideas.  Life too is based on 
ideas. Once we master an idea we mastered something real and deep.

The idea for today is based on a letter that I got from a student in our 
class.  It can be summarized as follows: "When I am going through 
difficult 
times, I can still chose to say 'YES' to life inspite all odds and 
temtations to give up and become bitter"


"Sorry that I haven't started my journal until now.  I thought that I was 
coming to college in part to get away from problems that I was having at 
home.  But my problems turned out to get worse.  Every spare moment I 
have 
been dealing with my emotions and my physical problems"

Over this past week at home, my problems increased significantly.  But I 
sat down and asked myself why I am at college?  My answer was to learn 
and 
to do the best possible job at school that I can.

My problems are still there.  But I am going to spend the time that is 
needed doing my school work so I can take full adventage of what has been 
given me.

Please forgive me if I have seemed cold or uninterested or distant from 
class.  I enjoy this class more than any other class.  Many things you 
have said in class really make me think about my life and my problems.  Thank 
you!!"

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