Learning Challenges: Empathy is Important Week 11

Often times, we... well let me speak for myself...
Often times, I don't stop to think about what the reason may be behind why someone acts the way they act or do the things they do. There is always a reason behind something, always a trigger, even if it seems as if that's not the case. I've noticed the older I've gotten + the people I've encountered = equate to an expansion of my empathy towards people. I can see instances that I thought "Nothing could possibly be going on with them. Their life is perfect," only to find out that their parents were getting a divorce, or a family member was sick. Regardless of what that additional variable was to the equation, the experience served as a reminder of how important it is to really give people the benefit of the doubt and strive to be understanding. With the same breath I can use to assume the reason they're acting as they are, I could have used that same breath to breathe encouragement into their situation.
The most important part of living life is to actually grow and learn from the lessons we learn, and grow from the experiences we have. Knowing the difference and what role I play,  is what I pray for.

(Photo Found HERE)

Week 11 Reading Diary: Aesop's Fables: Fables about People

Fables, fables, and even more fables all about people... There are a lot to read from but I would definitely have to say the one that stuck out the most to me, as well as the one that I mainly recognized was that of story of the boy that cried wolf. In the story entitled, "The Wolf and the Shepherd's Boy. In the story, the majority of people know exactly how it goes down, with different variations. A boy continuously literally cried out that a wolf was near by and ready to attack him. Each time he did this, someone would come to his rescue, only realizing that there was nothing wrong and that he either just wanted the attention or that he wanted something the person had. One day, there really was a wolf ready to attack him and he cried wolf, yet again. This time no one came to his rescue and he and his flock became prey for the wolf. 

I really enjoy this story because it really serves as a life reminder to not continuously lie to people because in the time that you really do need them, they will not come for they think that another lie is being told. I understand that in some cases, a few lies may be told, but let's not make a habit, folks! Thanks for reading. 

(Photo of Aesop's Fables)

 

These fables are part of the Aesop's Fables (English) unit. Story source: Fables and Satires by Sir Brooke Boothby (1809).

Week 11 Reading Diary: Mr. Beowulf

This is a pretty interesting section thus far. Beowulf is seeming to be a force to be reckoned with. He is unappreciated by his counterparts just because he doesn't excel in different actives that they do. Little do they truly realize that his is great in his own right. Some of the pieces that stuck out to me in particular in this story are shown below. Each of these excerpts show his evolution from a young boy to the stage his is at now.

-"As a small boy, Beowulf had shown such strength of body that Hygelac had early named him one of his thanes. So his mother and father gave him up, and young Beowulf went to live with his uncle to learn the arts of war and the handling of ships."

-"As the years slipped by and he grew to manhood, he became more and more sullen in his strength, and his companions dubbed him "The Silent." His movements were clumsy. He tripped over his sword. He broke whatever he touched. The other youths laughed at him for his awkwardness, but in secret they envied the immense spread of his shoulders and the terrible swiftness of his stride when he hunted in the forests."

-"At the feet of the royal couple sat Beowulf, at a table especially prepared for the king's earls. These were the most favored and beloved of all the warriors of Geatsland. But many were the murmurs of jealousy and discontent among the lords when they beheld young Beowulf in such a place of honor."

--From these excerpts, it is clear to see that Beowulf had a gift, that he grew into over time. With that gift, also came jealousy.

 (Picture of Beowulf)

This story is part of the Beowulf unit. Story source: The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).

Learning Challenge Week 11: Operation HAPPY!(:

Just think, if we could bottle up our "happy" how much better would each day be? How much better would the world be? That's a great question! I just read about a challenge that involved writing down at least on thing that makes your happy each day of the year. When the year ends, open up the jar and read 365 happy messages to yourself, from yourself, to encourage yourself. I really love happiness and love and all good things associated with it so I definitely think that I will be giving this a try soon. What a great idea!! 

(Picture of the happiness jar)