I heard this Mama Cass oldie the other day, and it got stuck in my head in the way catchy songs are wont to do. So I pulled it up on YouTube to hear the whole thing. The song encourages the listener to "make your own kind of music; sing your own special song...even if nobody else sings along." And that got me thinking.
Some might say that "making your own kind of music" means doing whatever you want, regardless of the ways it affects you or others. This is selfish individualism, which if left unchecked, ultimately destroys you and your relationships. But I think that to "make your own kind of music" means to follow God's call no matter what the cost.
Different musical instruments may play the same tune, but they sound different from one another. They "make their own kind of music." I've always sort of marched to the beat of my own drum. Certain life choices have placed me on a little different path than others. Sometimes people haven't understood why I would make those choices or hold those preferences and values. Sometimes "just to do your thing's/the hardest thing to do."
But I've learned that if doing "your thing" is also doing "God's thing," it becomes a beautiful kind of music, and quite fulfilling. God gives us certain interests and talents and experiences, and He invites us to use those gifts for the benefit of His people. When we do that, we may sacrifice, we may have bad days, we may experience some "rough goin'," as the song says...but we also find a certain fulfillment and joy we would not find otherwise. And that joy becomes contagious, spilling out of us to affect the people we meet.
As I live out this new adventure, I realize that more than ever I'm making my own kind of music. The circumstances of my life are rather different than I envisioned for myself, and rather different from most of my friends'. I have sacrificed some things that have been hard. Yet I am thriving, and exhilarated by the joy of doing what God called me to do. More than that, I think I am affecting others. When I decided to embrace this new adventure, I embraced a mission to model for young people, especially young women, how to live as a Catholic layperson in the world. My students' response to me indicates that I am fulfilling that mission. Just yesterday a young woman said to me, "I look at you, and I want to be like you." I have tremendous opportunities to impact others, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I want to help them make their own kind of music!
Pope John Paul said in his Letter to Artists, "All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece." As I make my own kind of music, I pray that with God's grace I am making a masterpiece. And I also pray that my life encourages others to make their own kind of music - not the cacophony of selfish individualism, but the symphony of a life wholeheartedly dedicated to God's call.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Weather Channel
The s-word has been spoken.
Saturday's forecast calls for temperatures in the low to mid-30s, and for rain mixed with snow. We'll see if it really happens, since weather here changes on a dime, but I can't believe it's not yet November 1 and we're already talking white stuff.
I absolutely love snow, probably since I grew up deprived of it in my otherwise beautiful Southern homeland. But this winter, for the first time, I will have to shovel the driveway. And that, my friends, is nothing I'm looking forward to. Particularly since the driveway is one car-width wide, with high retaining walls on either side, and uphill backing out. And I leave the house at 6:20am.
I wonder if my love affair with snow is about to end...
SATURDAY UPDATE: Huge, beautiful snowflakes were falling out of the sky when I woke up this morning, and continued until about 11am. It melted as soon as it hit the ground, and it will warm up to 40 degrees...but it bodes ill for the cost of my heat bills if this early snowfall is a portent of things to come.
Saturday's forecast calls for temperatures in the low to mid-30s, and for rain mixed with snow. We'll see if it really happens, since weather here changes on a dime, but I can't believe it's not yet November 1 and we're already talking white stuff.
I absolutely love snow, probably since I grew up deprived of it in my otherwise beautiful Southern homeland. But this winter, for the first time, I will have to shovel the driveway. And that, my friends, is nothing I'm looking forward to. Particularly since the driveway is one car-width wide, with high retaining walls on either side, and uphill backing out. And I leave the house at 6:20am.
I wonder if my love affair with snow is about to end...
SATURDAY UPDATE: Huge, beautiful snowflakes were falling out of the sky when I woke up this morning, and continued until about 11am. It melted as soon as it hit the ground, and it will warm up to 40 degrees...but it bodes ill for the cost of my heat bills if this early snowfall is a portent of things to come.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
JPII, we love you!
Today marks the first feast of Bl. John Paul II. While certain canonical norms limit the celebration of this feast until (and unless) he is canonized, I am most definitely celebrating his life and example in my heart. A brilliant man, lover of Christ and lover of us, he showed Christians how to live joyfully and courageously in a fallen world. He is one of my spiritual fathers and heroes. I consider myself truly blessed to have lived during his life and papacy.If you'd like to celebrate as well, here is a novena in thanksgiving for his life.
Novena in Thanksgiving for Blessed Pope John Paul II
Dear Papa, John Paul II - we still love you!
Headline News
My sleepy little town and it's vicinity have made national news several times in the last couple of weeks. In a small town, small news becomes Big News, and local headlines can really entertain. For example, I recall a lead story about the K-Mart sign falling down and blocking the main entrance. No one was hurt; it just fell. That was the story. Yesterday, an elementary school's power outage and early dismissal received top billing. So when something local catches national attention, it merits my notice as well.
The first story featured several Amish men arrested for cutting the hair and beards of their fellow Amish. Everyone's a little shocked by the oxymoron "Amish violence," and the situation raises some legal questions about how to handle a crime in a community that generally governs itself.
That story got replaced by a national news feature showing an anticipated economic boom in the area. This sleepy, dumpy, rusted out little town could see enough job expansion to warrant a local Starbucks franchise! The story showed parts of town I see every day...rusted out industry, run down neighborhoods, cliffs stripped of their greenery for functional purposes. If it all comes to pass (and it may not), what would happen to that distinctive skyline of rusty towers belching out fire, smoke, and stench? I would miss that!
The first story featured several Amish men arrested for cutting the hair and beards of their fellow Amish. Everyone's a little shocked by the oxymoron "Amish violence," and the situation raises some legal questions about how to handle a crime in a community that generally governs itself.
That story got replaced by a national news feature showing an anticipated economic boom in the area. This sleepy, dumpy, rusted out little town could see enough job expansion to warrant a local Starbucks franchise! The story showed parts of town I see every day...rusted out industry, run down neighborhoods, cliffs stripped of their greenery for functional purposes. If it all comes to pass (and it may not), what would happen to that distinctive skyline of rusty towers belching out fire, smoke, and stench? I would miss that!
You may have heard that some exotic animals were shot this week - that happened in a neighboring community. Yes, some weirdo owned a bunch of exotic animals, and after 10 years of getting in trouble with the law for letting them roam freely, he decided to free them all (ie - turn them loose on an unsuspecting public) before he shot himself. The animals wandered around the area for two days as hunters tried to shoot them with tranquilizer darts. Unfortunately, the tranquilizers weren't strong enough to bring the animals down. The animals attacked the hunters or ran off and got themselves lost, only to wake up and start wandering around neighborhoods again. A bill has been drafted and sent to the state legislature, banning the trafficking of exotic animals in the state. (Because, you know, this sort of thing happens all the time.) Personally, I don't see why they didn't just take the animals away from the guy back when he started breaking the law to begin with.
I live in the weirdest place. Why do I love it so much?
+++
The weather got a little chilly this week, and the heat started coming on in my house in the mornings. I wore a scarf to work one day, tied in the cute braid my friend Joannie taught me (thanks, Joannie!). One of my girls asked if I would show her how to do it, and when I did, she decided it should be called the "Professor R- knot". Isn't that hilarious?
Advising began this week, which I think should be done by the Registrar, because I sure can't keep up with all the details of how to meet the requirements for their core courses, double majors, and triple minors, in time to graduate in 6 semesters, including a semester abroad. But it's given me a chance to talk to several students and hear their stories, including those of my own students. I teach the neatest kids! They all have fascinating life stories, and want so much to give everything they have to making the world a better place.
That said, the project I'm grading this weekend demonstrates that some don't (yet) have the skills they need to better the world in this field. Next week I'll need to host some private tutorial sessions in my office. This particular project requires the skill of organizing material into a multi-lesson unit. I am as surprised to discover that some college students don't know how to outline as I was to discover some AP students could not tell time on a non-digital watch. So I'll coach them and see if they fare any better on Unit 2. Interestingly, this summer I dreaded conversations with students in which I would have to tell them they weren't cut out for this ministry. But now that I see some students' abilities, I realize it's in the student's best interest to tell them. Such a conversation would surely save them from some miserable ministry experiences down the road, and would free them to find God's true calling for their lives.
On that note, I must return to the grading. I hope you are all well and enjoying a beautiful October!
That said, the project I'm grading this weekend demonstrates that some don't (yet) have the skills they need to better the world in this field. Next week I'll need to host some private tutorial sessions in my office. This particular project requires the skill of organizing material into a multi-lesson unit. I am as surprised to discover that some college students don't know how to outline as I was to discover some AP students could not tell time on a non-digital watch. So I'll coach them and see if they fare any better on Unit 2. Interestingly, this summer I dreaded conversations with students in which I would have to tell them they weren't cut out for this ministry. But now that I see some students' abilities, I realize it's in the student's best interest to tell them. Such a conversation would surely save them from some miserable ministry experiences down the road, and would free them to find God's true calling for their lives.
On that note, I must return to the grading. I hope you are all well and enjoying a beautiful October!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Snippets
I'm sorry I haven't posted lately; it's been quite busy around here! But really, even when I've thought "Gosh, I really need to update the blog," the thought that follows is always, "What news do I have?" Not much. So I'm posting just a few snippets:
-This weekend featured a liturgical conference on campus. The speakers addressed a number of topics related to worship: the new translation of the Mass, the Mass in Scripture, liturgical architecture, sacred music, and so forth. Up to now I haven't educated myself as much about the new Missal as I should have; I guess I was waiting until the critical moment. Well, the critical moment has arrived, and now that I'm learning about it, I can't wait for November 27. (That said, I've harbored a secret wish to hear the Foley Gloria with trumpets and strings one last time before it becomes obsolete; I got my wish at a recent Mass celebrating a feast day. I can now move on as a happy woman.) The new translation will more clearly express what we believe as Catholics, and I think we will really experience a moment of great grace in the Church as a result.
-No, it hasn't snowed (yet)! But two weekends ago was quite cold and dreary, and when the sun came out again all the trees sported stunning fall color. We saw a glorious few days last weekend, but it's cooler & blustery this weekend, and I spent the afternoon raking leaves for a good leaf mulch in the garden. Many more leaves will fall, but I'd say we are a good three weeks ahead of the weather back home. Which leads to...
-...the reality that I already have to wear my winter clothes, and will need to buy some Igloo-wear before the year's end. I've solicited tips for the most essential items of clothing for surviving cold, wet winters (if you've got experience with cold weather, please post your ideas in the comm box - consider it a work of mercy). Fortunately, my office is quite toasty...so much so that even I, with ice water in my veins, have to prop my door open to keep from roasting. So maybe I don't need warm clothes as much as I need warm outerwear.
-I did manage to bust out of town last weekend for a shopping trip in the big city. I mapquested my favorite store and discovered that it is an hour away, and some other stores I like are 35 minutes away. So I hurried through my grading and made an afternoon/evening of it. I didn't have much success with purchases, unfortunately, but it was nice to get away for a bit.
-One project I've had to grade is a unit project from my students in the High School class. I discovered that not all the units met the Platonic form in my mind of Unit Project, but many did, and I'm really proud of the work they did. I set up the assignment to give them an experience of what their life will be like if they teach high school next year. The class after the project was due I let them discuss it. They expressed quite a bit of shock over how much time the project took, and I think it served as a wake-up call for some of them. However, I delighted to hear some of them describe how they dreaded beginning it, but then as they got into writing the lesson plans, they got idea after idea of demonstrations, activities, assignments. Two of them even described it as fun. Natural teachers, they; girls after my own heart. And I also enjoyed hearing one young man belly ache about the whole thing, beg for an extension, come to my office to talk through how-to-do-this-anyway...then see the light bulb go on as I walked him through the process and gave him a couple of tips. This one doesn't really want to teach but to do youth ministry, but I see some teaching potential buried under there, and I look forward to seeing what he gives me tomorrow.
So that's really all there is to share...not too much exciting. I still very much like my job, my students, my colleagues, and campus life. Things are going really well, but it's all the usual stuff. Let me know if there's anything you want to know about my new life and new adventures - maybe I can answer in a future blog post!
-This weekend featured a liturgical conference on campus. The speakers addressed a number of topics related to worship: the new translation of the Mass, the Mass in Scripture, liturgical architecture, sacred music, and so forth. Up to now I haven't educated myself as much about the new Missal as I should have; I guess I was waiting until the critical moment. Well, the critical moment has arrived, and now that I'm learning about it, I can't wait for November 27. (That said, I've harbored a secret wish to hear the Foley Gloria with trumpets and strings one last time before it becomes obsolete; I got my wish at a recent Mass celebrating a feast day. I can now move on as a happy woman.) The new translation will more clearly express what we believe as Catholics, and I think we will really experience a moment of great grace in the Church as a result.
-No, it hasn't snowed (yet)! But two weekends ago was quite cold and dreary, and when the sun came out again all the trees sported stunning fall color. We saw a glorious few days last weekend, but it's cooler & blustery this weekend, and I spent the afternoon raking leaves for a good leaf mulch in the garden. Many more leaves will fall, but I'd say we are a good three weeks ahead of the weather back home. Which leads to...
-...the reality that I already have to wear my winter clothes, and will need to buy some Igloo-wear before the year's end. I've solicited tips for the most essential items of clothing for surviving cold, wet winters (if you've got experience with cold weather, please post your ideas in the comm box - consider it a work of mercy). Fortunately, my office is quite toasty...so much so that even I, with ice water in my veins, have to prop my door open to keep from roasting. So maybe I don't need warm clothes as much as I need warm outerwear.
-I did manage to bust out of town last weekend for a shopping trip in the big city. I mapquested my favorite store and discovered that it is an hour away, and some other stores I like are 35 minutes away. So I hurried through my grading and made an afternoon/evening of it. I didn't have much success with purchases, unfortunately, but it was nice to get away for a bit.
-One project I've had to grade is a unit project from my students in the High School class. I discovered that not all the units met the Platonic form in my mind of Unit Project, but many did, and I'm really proud of the work they did. I set up the assignment to give them an experience of what their life will be like if they teach high school next year. The class after the project was due I let them discuss it. They expressed quite a bit of shock over how much time the project took, and I think it served as a wake-up call for some of them. However, I delighted to hear some of them describe how they dreaded beginning it, but then as they got into writing the lesson plans, they got idea after idea of demonstrations, activities, assignments. Two of them even described it as fun. Natural teachers, they; girls after my own heart. And I also enjoyed hearing one young man belly ache about the whole thing, beg for an extension, come to my office to talk through how-to-do-this-anyway...then see the light bulb go on as I walked him through the process and gave him a couple of tips. This one doesn't really want to teach but to do youth ministry, but I see some teaching potential buried under there, and I look forward to seeing what he gives me tomorrow.
So that's really all there is to share...not too much exciting. I still very much like my job, my students, my colleagues, and campus life. Things are going really well, but it's all the usual stuff. Let me know if there's anything you want to know about my new life and new adventures - maybe I can answer in a future blog post!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Steve Jobs: A Case for Life
As a Macophile, I was saddened to hear of Steve Jobs' death yesterday. Whether you love Macs or hate them, I think we can all agree that he transformed the industry.
A few years ago, I discovered that Steve Jobs was adopted. But I saw this blog post this week, which uses his story to make a compelling case for life. Read it and see if you agree.
Homily for October 2, 2011: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time | The Deacon's Bench
A few years ago, I discovered that Steve Jobs was adopted. But I saw this blog post this week, which uses his story to make a compelling case for life. Read it and see if you agree.
Homily for October 2, 2011: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time | The Deacon's Bench
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Grading, grading, grading...
No real post this week because I am up to my eyeballs in grading. This coming week may be the hardest of the semester; I have a test or major assignment due in every class and I also need to write lesson plans. Until finals, every week after next only has one test or assignment due. So if I can make it through next week, I should make it through the semester. This is the acid test, sort of the Olympics for professors. Wish me luck - I'm going for the gold!
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