Why TWO?

 

For the past several years, I have been infatuated with Charlotte Mason. The first time I ever heard about her or her methods was at a local homeschool meeting.  She was an educator that lived during the late 1800's. Her methods were revolutionary. In a time when the leaders in educational philosophy were making learning even more institutionalized, Mason was reminding us that each child is a person, individual in their thinking, learning, and growing patterns - not a vessel to be filled with information. She encouraged educators to "spread the feast" of ideas. Brain food that encourages creative growth in knowledge and creativity.

 

This method was music to my ears. I had grown up in a traditional schooling environment and that was what I was modeling for my children at the time. The speaker's description of living books that draw you into history and written by authors that have a passion for their subjects, studying science by getting outside observing nature and making it your own in nature journals, studying the great artists and composers... all of these things that I had been wanting for my children (for me!) and was not able to place a name or a method to my desires. I was inspired to take the leap and ditch the curriculum for greener pastures (literally and figuratively).

 

So, you ask, what does that have to do with a blog? What am I trying to say?

 

Beauty. We all love that which is beautiful. And we are still children at heart. In this time when the world can be so hard, it is easy for us to act too adult and carry the world's burdens until they weigh us down. There is ugliness everywhere if you care to look and, honestly, it can be pretty depressing. There is so much to divide us but there is still plenty that is beautiful. There is still love and hope and goodness. There is still joy. There is family and friendship and helping your fellows. These are things worth observing... and what I hope to bring into the light.

 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9