First, I'd forgotten or didn't realize that we were your first students! Lucky us! When reflect on work -- it's meaning to me and it's contribution to the world -- I frequently settle with the conclusion that my contribution to the world isn't primarily implementing value based care or similar discreet efforts, but generally putting good into the world, finding and inspiring the good in people and generally enjoying the work. The Jesuits' philosophy of ad memoriam dei gloriam -- whatever you do, do it for the glory of God is a close parallel. Whether your a dentist or a window washer, do your job as a reflection of a higher calling.
Thanks for the reflections Mark -- they're always an insightful read.
Hi Deb - it was Tim Dunn. I never had Hitchner, but later I did have a good relationship with Dubois and Hall. Both were encouraging, but Dunn was special because of the breadth of his interests. He was more of a humanities guy than just a lit guy, which also was inspiring.
It is obvious in our conversations that you have found your calling with your work, which is always wonderful to see. How many people create a camp for kids? Very cool.
I’m reminded of the Jimmy Buffett song “It’s My Job,” actually a minor hit for him. I’m also wondering who encouraged you in your writing in high school, since we attended the same school. For me it was Jack Hitchner, the first teacher who sat me down and told me I could write. Like you, I don’t know what 16 year old me could possibly have written that made him think so, but that moment stayed with me, gave me courage to take risks, and made me work harder. Teachers like Jack inspired me to teach as well, and eventually I found the intersection between teaching, counseling, linguistics and medicine that became my calling.
First, I'd forgotten or didn't realize that we were your first students! Lucky us! When reflect on work -- it's meaning to me and it's contribution to the world -- I frequently settle with the conclusion that my contribution to the world isn't primarily implementing value based care or similar discreet efforts, but generally putting good into the world, finding and inspiring the good in people and generally enjoying the work. The Jesuits' philosophy of ad memoriam dei gloriam -- whatever you do, do it for the glory of God is a close parallel. Whether your a dentist or a window washer, do your job as a reflection of a higher calling.
Thanks for the reflections Mark -- they're always an insightful read.
Hi Deb - it was Tim Dunn. I never had Hitchner, but later I did have a good relationship with Dubois and Hall. Both were encouraging, but Dunn was special because of the breadth of his interests. He was more of a humanities guy than just a lit guy, which also was inspiring.
It is obvious in our conversations that you have found your calling with your work, which is always wonderful to see. How many people create a camp for kids? Very cool.
I’m reminded of the Jimmy Buffett song “It’s My Job,” actually a minor hit for him. I’m also wondering who encouraged you in your writing in high school, since we attended the same school. For me it was Jack Hitchner, the first teacher who sat me down and told me I could write. Like you, I don’t know what 16 year old me could possibly have written that made him think so, but that moment stayed with me, gave me courage to take risks, and made me work harder. Teachers like Jack inspired me to teach as well, and eventually I found the intersection between teaching, counseling, linguistics and medicine that became my calling.