Educational Excellence

Happy Friday, y’all

Don’t fret much since we made it through another week!  So, let’s TGIF, if you will!

Yeah, trust me I know that this is a tough topic that few people want to have an honest, mature, maybe even intellectual conversation about.  The effects of racism can be observed in both the victim and the instigator.  The instigator, who is more often white complexion, uses racism to secure her/his comfort zone in a given situation.  The instigator creates a situation (ex: walking in front of someone waiting in a line) and does so to demoralize, bully, or intimidate the victim.  As I’ve stated before, for me racism is a mental illness found mostly in people with low self-esteem.  An unconscionable difference like skin color can become the determinant of how the instigator wants to interact with the victim.  Personal qualities not readily available to assess the situation are cast aside as the racist seeks to portray her/his dominance … until checked.  Can you imagine how many times I’ve had to “check” a person?!?  It gets tiring sometimes … but I got this!!

Why do people “hate” on others?  It’s an easy position to take but a tough one to defend!!  Why not use shoe size or buttock shape to indicate and determine a “superior human” being?!  Ridiculous, right!?  So is skin color …  I’ve seen the duality (dichotomy) of greed vs. responsibility in a paradigm to illustrate how an individual may shape her/his own position.  On one hand, the basic human fear of losing something … anything … elicits greed.  On the other hand, a balanced healthy self-esteemed person might choose to be responsible … and do the right thing!  In an environment filled with stereotypes, misinformation, and fear, toxicity flows easily.  Some people have little self-control and insight to admit the truth … even to THEMSELVES.  One of the main reasons for meditation is to separate myself from toxic fears and influences and seek a higher plane or level of existence.  In that realm of options, one can be sure to choose a positive vibration!!   One can return self-confident.

Whether we look at the horseback drama (now suspended) that took place recently on the Mexican-US border or, at European futbol matches, we find the re-rise of racism.  While many of us get to watch and judge these images on tv, imagine what it’d be like to experience what some of the Haitian immigrants did!?!  I doubt many of us would be able to walk across parts of South America to the Mexican border with family and belongings in hand and bags.  How would one like to change places with them?  Chelsea’s futbol star, Romelu Lukaku, has experienced the ignorant hatefulness of racist chants during futbol games.  He like many other stars on social media feel that the Big Tech companies need to stop the online abuse.  He says, “Some people harm themselves because of social media abuse.”  Who is responsible for these types of things?!?

What is it that the haters are missing?  In other words, what makes it so easy for them to attack another human being who has not done anything to them personally?!?  Maybe they are missing something to belong to … like the universe … not the Ku Klux Klan!!  One shouldn’t allow themselves to get suckered into the victim rabbit hole and then spun like a dreidel until the evil spirit gets its prize, including lunatic loyalty.  

Remember, racism as a mental illness feeds on fear … any fear … pick one!  Have that conversation with someone.  Make that conversation intellectual without slinging blame, names, and other things!  No need to “touch” another person either.  It is here where enlightenment may take place.  Until we learn to accept each other as equals as the “Great American Experiment” suggests, we can expect to see the re-rise of racism. 

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

Happy Fridaaaaaay Yayyy!  I’m feeling chipper so join me in a TGIF!  (Use “Thank God I’m Friendly”!) TGIF, then!  Gracias!!

Since returning from my trip to the lodge at volcano “Arenal”, I have been contemplating another trip maybe!  But in the meantime, I have decided to work out with yoga stretches and asanas, push-ups and sit-ups, all poolside here if it is not raining. I plan on doing this 3 times a week while working on a healthier diet. While the pool is small, I am usually the only one doing yoga poolside.  I often take a quick dip and then sit poolside listening to my favorite music!!  That’s my plan for the next month or so …

Thinking back to courses I taught at City College in Ft. Lauderdale, FL I had a favorite – Personal Development.  I was an English/reading specialist for our international students and also served as the International Student Advisor for 2 years.  Other than my 10 years at White Plains High School in my hometown in New York, City College Ft. Lauderdale provided me with opportunities for tremendous professional growth and leadership.  Shucks, I even worked for a couple of years as an advisor to “The Ambassadors Club”, which was a group of upper-class students (sophomore, at least) who served as mentors for incoming students.  I had so many plans, I had to keep them in my Franklin Planner.  When I worked as a learning manager for American Express in Sunrise, FL for three years, they paid for managers to take a course in using the planner as well as a year of replacement pages. It was here where I improved my business Spanish skills since I had worked in “the Spanish gate” at AMEX taking escalated calls until being promoted to “learning manager”.

So, I share this essay with folks who may think there is something wrong with you … or your goal(s).  Don’t fall prey to self-doubt – change and modify the plan … not your goal.  Make it fun, carry a pad or notebook (old school stuff!) and keep your goals alive and well.  I have seen these palm pilots but haven’t found a need to learn how to use them … yet!!  A goal without a plan is just a wish …

Have a great weekend!

Peace,

John I. Cook. Director

Yep, Y’all!

It’s not as if we didn’t know that Friday was coming, right?!  Or, if we’d be here … so … TGIF with me!  Done!

You’ve heard the expression “No (one) man is an island!”  How far do we take that axiom?  We don’t ask just “anyone” to help us because it’s important to be selective in our interactions … safe even … and get the proper help!  When we’re spending time alone and feeling like we need “somebody” there with us, what are our options?!?  I am sure they vary as each of us does!  Sometimes, I enjoy positive memories when I’m alone.  That’s why I often seek to have wonderful experiences in my life and in interactions with people.  I do this thing where I mix prayer and meditation – talking to my higher power and then listening to It!  I have found that when I am alone, I can focus better on those positive memories, maybe through a song or poem.  I like lyric-less jazz (improv) music so I can entertain my OWN thoughts while listening.  THINK POSITIVELY as often as possible as your thoughts spin “your” reality.  Does someone think you are a jerk or not worth fine treatment?  Vacate the premises, my liege!

I used to always want to “right a wrong” or “defend myself” when being spiritually (or physically) attacked.  Now, I realize that “I am better than that” … than to sit idly while an underling has its way with me or act out of character!!  We see this in less enlightened individuals who seek confusion rather than harmony in their interactions with others.  This confusion is often a smokescreen in their attempts to manipulate someone and take advantage of them.  When I see a person saying one thing and doing another, I usually vacate the premises to avoid the negative vibrations!  You can ONLY help someone as much as they want to be helped, you dig?!?  Don’t waste and deplete your positive energy.  Be a positive role model instead and demonstrate how it should be done.  That’s how I keep my head to the sky!  Now, don’t get me wrong because I do a lot of self-checking and often do a personal self-inventory several times a day.  That’s how I spend my time alone if not listening to music and enjoying nature’s finest!!

It’s okay to be alone and not suck up to others who need attention.  I like to be seen out on the town, feeling and looking good, too!  So, don’t get me wrong ’cause I have learned how to mix and mingle with some of the finest people … and I thank them for that.  Time alone can be used for self analysis (awareness).  Just don’t be too hard on yourself because there are a lot of people we will meet with many different issues.  Be kind … be yourself!

Peace,

John I. Cook. Director

Happy Friday, now!  I can’t explain things sometimes, but just like that … Wham!!  It happens!  So, I’m going to start us off … TGIF, join me if you’re feeling it today!

When I was less thoughtful, less mindful of what I was doing at times, those “Whams!” were wake-up calls.  Usually, they were disguised as a “problem”.  Nowadays, since I “know myself” and behave accordingly, the “Whams!” are wonderfully surprising great gifts disguised as the present!  I know, I know, I’m just saying how things unfold sometimes.

This morning, I am slated to travel to La Fortuna in Costa Rica where there is a volcano.  So, since I have not gotten a chance to sit in a jacuzzi over four years ago at an LA Fitness in Ft. Lauderdale … Cypress Creek facility … I will be staying at the Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience this weekend.  Rumor has it that the lodge is located so close to the Arenal Volcano that you can not only see it looming in front but can experience the hot thermal water resulting from the volcano’s lava base.  I should be leaving soon on a shuttle bus for 4 or 5 hours.  Like I said, “Wham!”  The idea came and I investigated the trip so … it’s on!  I am excited because it is the first real “tourist” type of activity that I will be doing since I have been here in Costa Rica!!  Seriously … yes, I am retired but I still work a bit.  I mean, that’s how I finished the third manuscript … in my free time!  At first, I didn’t want to take the adventure alone …  But after briefly contemplating it and paying attention to the universe, I will enjoy myself with breakfast included each morning!

Needless to say, my hats go off to the survivors of the Hurricane Ida saga that threw floodwaters from Louisiana to Massachusetts!  Water was coming out of the subway system in New York City after going inside of it at different points and stages of the storm!  I really couldn’t believe my eyes!  So, I’ll close with a bit of gratitude for another opportunity to enjoy myself in my retirement … Pura Vida style!

Have a great weekend!  “Know Thyself!”

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director