I suppose it's sort of ironic that even though I work at a college, I never actually attended one. The reasons are many and the story long, so I'll just summarize and say that we were not cut out for one another. Which is maybe a shame. Maybe my road would have had a few less potholes.
Then again, maybe not. I know my fair share of people who have had the advantage of a college education. On the whole they have better jobs and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle than I do, which is good for them.
But I've also noticed that no matter how much education a person has, problems still abound. No one's smart enough to outsmart life. And no matter how much studying we still won't be prepared for everything.
That's what Emily taught me.
To read about her and what I hope to be the future of college education, follow me on over to katdish's blog. And remember, there are some tests you just can't study for.
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15 comments:
I suppose a good deal of any parent's job is providing the needed lessons for life. But as homescoolers, our family sees those courses get more day to day application. As we recently discussed at our house what a "normal" education looks like, I explained exactly what you said so eloquently here, Billy. Algebra and American History are necessary to a well rounded education, however much a student thinks them irrelevant. It may seem harsh, but our kids are also getting lessons in Vomit Cleanup, and House Mgmt, and Life Hardship, and even Death.
Interestingly enough, they seem to take to those courses just fine. Maybe they see the relevance.
Thanks Billy!
I've had many life experiences, but no college diploma either and some times I'm embarrassed by that. Actually, I've allowed that to hold me back at times, thinking "they" are all educated more than me, so who am I to say anything?
I'm trying to stop using that excuse and this post will help me do that!
Thanks again.
I used to blame my college for not teaching those things. I've been mad at them for years. :-) Glad that God is my constant Teacher and Master, and I don't have to worry about flunking out.
Great movie poster choice, btw. Tombstone is a great one, Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday one of cinemas outstanding performances! (In my humble opinion, of course)
Thanks for the thoughts in your post. God bless!
Life certainly takes many twists and turns no matter how much education one has or does not have.
Blessings and prayers, andrea
The school of hard knocks provides an excellent education.
My experience, anyway.
Billy,
You have an award waiting for you on my blog this morning. Hope you stop by!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Great post, Billy! When you say, "Most of what happens in life you just can’t be prepared for, no matter how much studying you do." you're so, so right.
Billy,
My husbands side is chock full of degrees...many of them have a whole slew of letters following their name. As you can tell by my writing style (or lack of), I am not as "edumacated" as many of the fantastic writers as yourself and your circle of authors.
You are so right with "But I've also noticed that no matter how much education a person has, problems still abound. No one's smart enough to outsmart life. And no matter how much studying we still won't be prepared for everything."
I write from my heart and think that my real life experiences have taught me more than any professor/college course. And although these family and friends might not come to me to find out the square root of 384726123 or explain the kinetic theory of gases....I do find that they come to me with questions about God, faith and my beliefs.
Great post!
*~Michelle~*
College was a really intense learning experience for me. But honestly, most of the best and most useful lessons I learned there weren't from the pages of a book or the lectures of a professor.
I learned lessons like how to cope with a roommate who overdoses on Cocaine and threatens to kill you... How to live in a building that has little AC in the hot weather and little heat in the cold weather... And how to survive off of really bad cafeteria food...
But the greatest lessons I learned were about people. How to accept our differences. How to share my faith. How to comfort the hurting. How to keep my mouth shut when I know that what I have to say won't help a situation.
And now that I've graduated to The University of Life, I find myself learning these same lessons over and over and over...
Gosh, you are so darn creative! Stop it, will ya'? ;)
I wish I enrolled in "Bearing
Hardship 101".. Gosh, I sure was THE consummate freshman (snort).
And dude, why didn't anyone offer me "Cleaning child Vomit 350". Would've come in handy. All I took was, "Having a Baby Is Wonderful 68".
Geez, Louise!
Your blog is a great way to take these great courses, Billy. Thank you!
Education is important, yes, but that depends on what you mean by education. Is it just the filling of a pail or the lighting of a fire. I personally feel university education the way I have seen it recently has not been all that. Billy, I think the person you are is not because of what initials you have after your name but rather the character formed by values. I may not be making much sense but my pet peeve is society prescribing that you are only somebody when you have those titles. There are many wonderful minds that never even entered a classroom, also some people are gifted with their hands and would rather attend vocational schools. I have recently witnessed what some people with educational initials can do in damaging minds.
I just like you the way you are Billy! You are tremendously blessed. Look at how you impact all of us! I like your class suggestions...
So True! Education does not take problems or undesired circumstances away or prevent them. You definitely can't be prepared for everything. But we can KNOW the One who is!!!! :)
I went to college while my husband did not. He went to work in high school and has worked his way to the top of his company and Praise God the little family company he has worked for all these 32 years sold to a larger more corporate company and while he never received that "degree" you speak of, he now has an executive position that has a nice salary. I tell him OFTEN.... no degree can ever give him the experience from so many years working from the bottom all the way to the top....that is priceless and will provide life lessons that include far more subjects than any college degree could ever offer for one degree :) I am so proud of him as I am sure your wife is of you....
I have been thinking of those same type of things lately! Thanks forour note to my last post. Truly!
So true. Aren't the best lessons mentored?
And the rest imparted when we're in the hotseat. The one time we really want to get it and we are all ears to God.
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