Nobody Right...Nobody Wrong (lyrics)-- Michael Franti

They say you got to chose your side and, when its done. Nobody right, nobody wrong.

It ended in a great big fight and, when its done. Nobody right, nobody wrong.

Conflict each and every day, at home and in the streets, and in my soul every way. Its hard to keep the faith, when I feels so far away. Times i feel connected, times I'm runnin' away.

But... Cant you see, all the sickness, hunger, and poverty. War on the land and war on the seas. War is a painful thing.

One argument that none of us can hide, is the one thats ragin down deep inside. Tryin' to make a point, or have the last word. But most the time people just tryin to be heard.

They say you got to chose your side and, when its done. Nobody right, nobody wrong.
It ended in a great big fight and, when its done. Nobody right, nobody wrong.

But how many people never eva broke a rule. And how many people tryin to get their kids to school And how many people prayin they only find a job. And how many poeple are afraid of gettin robbed...nobody knows. And, only god knows.

Numbers escalate, wall street, crime rate. From the Bahgdad streets, to my city by the bay.
Hey they say you got to chose your side and, when its done. Nobody right, nobody wrong. It ended in a great big fight and, when its done. Nobody right, nobody wrong.

And I say, can you say what you mean? And can you mean what you mean what you say? Every single day?

Reach out a hand to somebody who needs a hand. And reach out a heart to somebody torn apart.

Its hard, this livin, this life we've been given. Locked in your soul, or locked up in prison.

Remember you have to reach high to be risen. The day you let go is the day you are forgiven.

So they say you got to chose your side and, when its done. Nobody right, nobody wrong.

And I say, one man got a jet fighter, and the other got a song. Nobody right, nobody wrong.

Today I feel....

"Don't be a horse race; be a marathon." --Michael Franti

Illustrating With Words: My Ideal Classroom Community

"An inch of time is an inch of gold: treasure it. Appreciate its fleeting nature; misplaced gold is easily found, misspent time is lost forever." -- Loy Ching-Yuen

"Past and future are illusions. They exist only in the present, which is what there is and all that there is." --Alan Watts

"Clearly define your expectations; do not require students to guess then hold them accountable." --me

"Ask not what tomorrow may bring, but count as blessing every day that Fate allows you." Horace

"Write in your heart that every day is the best day of the year." Ralf Waldo Emerson


In a Nutshell...
Respect yourself. Respect others. Have expectations of yourself and the people you surround yourself with. Remember the past but do not dwell on mistakes. Love today; this is where we all live and plan for tomorrow. Value the community and make a conscious effort to contribute regularly.

I AM FROM...

I am from where I am right now…my experiences and my love, my frustrations and successes.
I am from musical almond orchards, from Rendezvous ribs and Penguin Publications.
I am from organic, green, concrete.I am from the iris, the rose, the marigolds the petals, the passion, and the gold.
I am from reading books and warm smiles, from Katherin Smith, Jim Mankin and a Princess Lily Monster.
I am from the misunderstandings and the progress of working through.I am from “no you can’t” and “you can do anything” all at the same time.
I am from a pagan’s perspective, from my father in heaven and my mother on earth.I am from Oregon, the San Juaquin valley, the dirty south and Assyria, dolma, Memphis BBQ and warm tortillas.
From the crossword puzzles filled in with curse words, the twin horses born in the barn, the soft fur of the bunnies and my father’s love for words.
I am from the family journal, the dusty shelves, the trunk I keep my life in.I am from exactly where I am supposed to be.

Excerpt of Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy combines elements of experimentalist and existentialism. I believe students should learn to work well and learn from each other in order to expand and progress the community they are from. I think that schools exist to aid students in knowing themselves and their place in society. I want them to be empowered by making choices and guide what they learn according to their interests while adhering to state and school goals and objectives. I want them to know themselves and be able to reflect on what they believe. I want them to feel empowered and change their mind whenever they see fit and as a result of critical self-reliance.
In a nutshell, I am a teacher because I want to teach children. I want them to value their community, learn the content of Literary Arts, value critical thought and approaches, and become self-motivated life-long learners, readers and writers.

Reflection...

Through the lens of desire, I have seen my suffering. Relief from that suffering resides within the warm comfort of gratitude.-me

Another quote for now...

"Imitating others, I failed to find myself. I looked inside and discovered I only knew my name. When I stepped outside, I found only myself." The Rumi