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thank you
I have much to be thankful for and I know it. a broad thank you to the public figures who have inspired me These are people of ideas and action. None of them is without fault. I believe, however, that they added obvious good to this world; and I am grateful for their examples. Theodore Roosevelt overcomer, reformer, conservationist, character Thomas Jefferson dreamer, planter, founder of uva, author of declaration of independence Abraham Lincoln person of courage, sustainer of the union George Washington fortitude in adversity, letter-go of power Maria Montessori finder of new ways Jimmy Carter good guy, believer in, and doer of good Harvey Milk willing to be himself, out and proud and, not least, perfect in faith, Jesus of Nazareth expander of humankind, man, and God great thanks, love, and appreciation to my mother, my father, and my stepmother Their support and love for me has been/ is tremendous. I had/ have the perfect parents for me. Funny how that worked. a BIG thanks to all my formal teachers My formal education included (if the first can be considered "formal") years in Montessori (8.5), prep school (6), and at university (4). I thank all my teachers and the systems they were part of: Bowie Montessori Children's House (Bowie, MD); Queen Anne School (Upper Marlboro, MD); St. Paul's School (Brooklandville, MD); The University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA). I am also thankful for the instructors and classes I took, one each, at Regent College at The University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC, Canada); at what is now called Towson University (Towson, MD); and at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD). and also my explicitly spiritual ones I have also been very fortunate to hear from people who were/ are forthrightly searching for meaning in their own lives, and in the world. I appreciate that they sought, and, in many cases are still seeking, to know more about Life. I DO NOT ENDORSE, OR SUGGEST TO YOU, NECESSARILY, ANY OF THEM OR THEIR SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT/ RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDINGS. I LIST THEM HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ASSISTED ME IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MY OWN THINKING. Thank you to all those who have given the hundreds of sermons I have heard in various churches. You have given me things to think about. Things to ponder in my heart. I have listened primarily in Episcopal, Presbyterian Church in America, and nondenominational churches, as well as to many, many (200+?) talks given by the Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools. I have also been fortunate to hear some of what teachers in the Southern Baptist, Assemblies of God, Roman Catholic, Foursquare, Unity Church, and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) traditions have to say. Certain spiritual teachers stand out for me. They have their own perspectives of life, and not always traditional ones. Though I do not agree with all that any of them proclaim, I appreciate them for their visions; and their boldness in proclaiming what they believe. I have learned from them. These include J.I. Packer (who presented an evangelical Christian understanding of life); Joyce Meyer, and Joel Osteen (a prosperity gospel understanding); Wayne Dyer (encouraging a self-development mindset); and the collective spirits known as Abraham, as presented by Esther and Jerry Hicks of Abraham-Hicks (Esther spiritually channels Abraham, promoting an experiential, joy-at-all-costs understanding). I listened by recording, watched videos, read books, and, in the case of J.I. Packer, took a graduate class, from these teachers. I thank them all. many, many thanks to 67 people + Sixty-seven people came to mind when I first actively considered those to whom I owe special thanks. Sixty-seven! And that was off the top of my head. I have since thought of many more. I especially thank those with whom I have visited and stayed, be it for a night, a few nights, a week, a few weeks, months, or years. You opened up yourselves, your homes, your very lives to me. I am greatly thankful. And I cannot forget my former flatmates, or my dating and romantic partners, from over the years. The seven-year relationship I had with a good and loving man. You all liked and loved me even when you experienced me not always at my best. Thank you for sharing parts of your lives with me. You are all stars. appreciation to 10,000 more I am thankful for all the people in my life, from the brother of a friend who showed me the Harvard Lampoon building; to the people I worked with at the laundromats; to the lady at the reparative prayer session who told me I had broad shoulders; to the friend who accompanied me to the March on Washington in 1993; to the friend I made in the nuthouse; to the boss who gave me harsh but good advice; and many more. If we have met, have had contact in person or electronically, thank you. You have helped me: you have helped me to know better myself and others. I appreciate you. Probably ten thousand people or more have demonstrably added to my life in some way. Your assistance and perspectives have been, and are, gifts. Thank you! not least: thank you to you, dear reader Thank you for checking out LukeyoutheU. Thank you for already adding to the world. For, likely, wanting to add more. |