Post by markcameron on Apr 14, 2014 21:30:32 GMT -5
Team Cameron,
I saw commercial the other day that reminded me of one of my posts. I think it was a car commercial which is weird considering they were quoting a line from the poet Walt Whitman. Of course I turned to the Internet to find the entire poem. I consider myself a novice at poetry. I dabble more in Limerick writing the occasional birthday card but never with such deep meaning as the following.
O Me! O Life!
By Walt Whitman
1819-1892
O me! O life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill'd with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I,
and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the
struggle ever renew'd,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see
around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring--What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here--that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
Obviously, very well written and deep, it took me a couple of readings but he essentially is letting us know something very similar to what I posted last year. “How does a person know if their mission on earth is complete? If you're still alive you are not done.” In the case of Walt Whitman, and he talks about the people wasting time while here on earth and when questioned about the meaning of life. The writer explains that it's up to you to decide your mission and apply it.
With that said I would like to think I'm also contributing a verse. Since my last post I've been able to get in front of four or five audiences to share my story. I told you before how much I enjoy passing along my message about the importance of making good choices, good friends and volunteering time. I have an additional five speeches scheduled between now and the end of the school year but I'm hoping to hear from three or four other middle schools before the end of May. I would like to think I'm passing on a bit of wisdom most likely something these kids have already heard but for some I hope getting the message from me will make a difference.
In addition to the middle school kids I normally speak with I have also reached out to the local colleges offering School of Nursing programs. I presented again this year to the JCCC second-year nursing students, sharing with them in experiences I've had both in and out of the hospital and emphasizing the importance of communicating with your patients and patient handling. My idea was actually more self-serving, I wanted to get in front of those students to get the word out that I was looking for some part-time help. I guess I must have struck a chord because a couple of them reached out to me days following to thank me for taking the time to share my message. The self-serving side worked mildly, I interviewed and hired one student but she was offered a job with a local hospital before coming on board.
It's been more than four months since my last post and I don't know where the time has gone. Although the cold weather was keeping me very close to home I have found time to get out of the house for occasional entertainment. Although a little chilly I did make it to Opening Day at the Royals with a few friends. As luck would have it we were able to sneak into the restaurant bar on the first-base line and enjoy the game and some reasonable warmth. I'll keep that in mind for next year's opening day. Definitely the preferred way to watch baseball in 50° weather.
Like so many people I know I am definitely over this winter weather. I was able to spend a couple of hours enjoying some sunshine and 75° weather on Saturday afternoon but Old Man Winter wasn't done yet. Woke up this morning with a dusting of snow across the front yard and all of the blooming flowers in my yard. Although it melted by mid morning the temperature barely broke 40° and the wind kept it 5-10° below that. It's mid-April and I want 80° but it doesn't look like we will see that for at least another week.
The Golf Committee informed me that this year's Golf Classic is scheduled for Friday September 26. Put it on your calendars.
I hope you all have a fabulous spring. It's up to you to contribute a verse.
Mark
I saw commercial the other day that reminded me of one of my posts. I think it was a car commercial which is weird considering they were quoting a line from the poet Walt Whitman. Of course I turned to the Internet to find the entire poem. I consider myself a novice at poetry. I dabble more in Limerick writing the occasional birthday card but never with such deep meaning as the following.
O Me! O Life!
By Walt Whitman
1819-1892
O me! O life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill'd with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I,
and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the
struggle ever renew'd,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see
around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring--What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here--that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
Obviously, very well written and deep, it took me a couple of readings but he essentially is letting us know something very similar to what I posted last year. “How does a person know if their mission on earth is complete? If you're still alive you are not done.” In the case of Walt Whitman, and he talks about the people wasting time while here on earth and when questioned about the meaning of life. The writer explains that it's up to you to decide your mission and apply it.
With that said I would like to think I'm also contributing a verse. Since my last post I've been able to get in front of four or five audiences to share my story. I told you before how much I enjoy passing along my message about the importance of making good choices, good friends and volunteering time. I have an additional five speeches scheduled between now and the end of the school year but I'm hoping to hear from three or four other middle schools before the end of May. I would like to think I'm passing on a bit of wisdom most likely something these kids have already heard but for some I hope getting the message from me will make a difference.
In addition to the middle school kids I normally speak with I have also reached out to the local colleges offering School of Nursing programs. I presented again this year to the JCCC second-year nursing students, sharing with them in experiences I've had both in and out of the hospital and emphasizing the importance of communicating with your patients and patient handling. My idea was actually more self-serving, I wanted to get in front of those students to get the word out that I was looking for some part-time help. I guess I must have struck a chord because a couple of them reached out to me days following to thank me for taking the time to share my message. The self-serving side worked mildly, I interviewed and hired one student but she was offered a job with a local hospital before coming on board.
It's been more than four months since my last post and I don't know where the time has gone. Although the cold weather was keeping me very close to home I have found time to get out of the house for occasional entertainment. Although a little chilly I did make it to Opening Day at the Royals with a few friends. As luck would have it we were able to sneak into the restaurant bar on the first-base line and enjoy the game and some reasonable warmth. I'll keep that in mind for next year's opening day. Definitely the preferred way to watch baseball in 50° weather.
Like so many people I know I am definitely over this winter weather. I was able to spend a couple of hours enjoying some sunshine and 75° weather on Saturday afternoon but Old Man Winter wasn't done yet. Woke up this morning with a dusting of snow across the front yard and all of the blooming flowers in my yard. Although it melted by mid morning the temperature barely broke 40° and the wind kept it 5-10° below that. It's mid-April and I want 80° but it doesn't look like we will see that for at least another week.
The Golf Committee informed me that this year's Golf Classic is scheduled for Friday September 26. Put it on your calendars.
I hope you all have a fabulous spring. It's up to you to contribute a verse.
Mark