…is the most important skill for the future, according to a NYT editorial (requires registration) by Thomas L. Friedman:

O.K., one ninth grader in St. Paul asked me, then “what courses should I take?” How do you learn how to learn? Hmm. Maybe, I said, the best way to learn how to learn is to go ask your friends: “Who are the best teachers?” Then - no matter the subject - take their courses. When I think back on my favorite teachers, I don’t remember anymore much of what they taught me, but I sure remember being excited about learning it.

Sound advice, in my opinion. I know that I grew up thinking that I hated history. Not true, let me tell you…but it was certainly not fun when the football coaches were teaching it at my high school. Chemistry and physics, on the other hand, were great fun because of the mad scientist type personalities of those teachers! Once I got to college, this reversed…I had a fantastic history professor (in a small honors section) and boring science teachers.

A few weeks ago, one other thought about history hit me. Until college, history was almost exclusively the history of war. No wonder I didn’t enjoy it! Later, teachers (and travel) connected history to the human element — sociological and anthropological perspectives on the past. That, I found interesting.

Just musing…

A post by the Angry Professor really got me thinking earlier this evening. So much of the childhood she recounted sounded familiar to me, and I agree with her about the results.

Religious or superstitious indoctrination cripples a young person’s mind. It takes away a child’s confidence that he can achieve things for himself and improve his condition, and leaves him fearful and helpless.

Click here to read the rest of her post.

This sounds pretty accurate from what I experienced; just add to that: neurotic, depressed, and anxious. I also suffered from a chronic case of trying-too-hard-to-be-liked. I’ve written probably five or so pages’ worth of thoughts on this tonight, but they’re pretty disorganized and rambling. Once I sort through my thoughts and feelings, I might actually post some of it.

“Every event we experience and every person we meet has been put in our path for a reason. When we awaken to this fundamental truth, we begin to understand that a benevolent force of energy is available to guide and direct our lives. I call this energy the unmistakable touch of grace.”

Cheryl Richardson, The Unmistakable Touch of Grace

Surely I’m not the only parent of my generation who gets a particular Pearl Jam tune stuck in her head on a regular basis.