REFLECTING ON THE WORDS OF WISDOM AROUND ME

My colleague and I were talking over lunch this week; we weren't really talking about anything of any real substance, but he said something that stayed with me throughout the day.  "Eventually you can see well with just candle light."  I laughed at first, but then I thought about it.  Eventually, you adjust to your surroundings, giving you the opportunity to see things and do things you never thought possible.  In the case of candlelight, the pupils of your eyes eventually open, letting in more light for you to be able to see.  Sure, it takes a little time, but with some patience, you will be able to see. True, honest and wise words from someone who appreciates the physical capacity of our bodies.

Later in the evening of the same day, I was watching the Yankees on the YES Network and Michael Kay was talking about how statistics say that when a team is playing poorly before heading into the post season, it doesn't mean that the team won't go far.  In reality, it's the opposite; many teams who finish the season strong, don't go deep into the post season.  But just as Michael Kay let those words escape his tongue, he quoted the great baseball play by play analyst Vin Scully.  "Statistics are used much like a drunk uses a lamppost; for support, not illumination." Huh... I never thought of that.  This means to me that truthfully, anything can happen; if it's meant to happen.  Like the New York State Lottery touts, "You never know."

I know this week has been about Yogisms with the passing of the great Yogi Berra, and I won't be able to get through an article about quotes and words of wisdom without quoting our great number eight.  "You can observe a lot by watching." I couldn't agree more.  As an administrator at a School of Education, we tell our pre-service candidates to just watch what kids do in the classroom and take notes.  Then we ask them to share their observations.  You can learn a lot by just quietly watching. Derek Jeter believes that.  He wrote an amazing tribute to Yogi calling him a quiet observer.  TED Talk speaker and New York Times Best Selling Author, Bryan Stevenson believes that... he observed some of the most remarkable people in action including the great Rosa Parks.  Focusing on your own professional learning through the lens of expertise of others is one of the best ways to grow.

My words of wisdom to you: pay attention to the small things around you; the glimmers of sunshine, the gestures of authenticity and signs of hope.  And even if this post season isn't our finest, believe in the future of the Yankees, because as Chicago Cubs' fans boast, "There's always next year."

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof



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