Book #33

I love this picture.
A nice visual of what a leader
should be.

"Virtues of Leadership" by William J. Bennett is full of short stories of people from history who were leaders.  Because I am trying to build leaders (myself and my children) it was the perfect book to read as part of our morning devotional.  Everyday for a month and a half, I read one of the stories and discussed briefly with the kids the skills and talents each of the people possessed.  There were stories of Charlemagne, King Solomon, General Washington, and Frederick Douglas.  There were also stories about Florence Nightingale, Margaret Haughery, Harriet Tubman, and many more great leaders.  Some stories we've heard before, but most were new to us.  I like learning about people who set a good example for the people around them. 

Book #32

I love finding random books at the library that are filled with great themes.  "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" is all about seeing the wonders that are right in front of us. 

Eben lives in a small town, but dreams of bigger, more exciting places.  He makes a deal with his Pa that if he can find 7 wonders in their town in 7 days then Pa will send him on a train to visit his cousin in Colorado.  Eben is doubtful that will find any wonders, but he takes the bet and sets out to discover what secrets are hidden in Sassafras Springs. 

The wonders Eben finds are unique.  He realizes that they might not be wonders of the world, but they are wonders to his town.  "I looked down at that tiny Sassafras Springs and I thought about Junior's egg and Lessie Mull's log cabin quilt, Mrs. Saylor's jade bracelet and Aunt Pretty's green glass beads, Eulie Rowan's worn table and Calvin Smiley's ordinary saw.  'I was only looking for big things,' I told [Uncle Alf].  'But a small thing can be a prize too.'" 

The book made me wonder what wonders we can find if we just take the time to look. 

Book #31

"When you teach  your son, you teach your son's son."--The Talmud

 

 

I just finished reading another parenting book that was recommended by some homeschool moms.  "Parenting the Strong-Willed Child" by Kevin Hinckley is a book about "fortifying our youth and healing our prodigals."  Though I didn't care for the writing style (not enough examples and stories) or think it was all that appropriate for me and my children, I did find one nugget. 

 

In one of the first chapters Kevin Hinckley compares King Benjamin's people to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.  Both groups of people were converted to the Lord, made covenants and took on a new name.  But the conversion of the first group did not carry over into the lives of their children.  So, what was different?  How come some righteous parents have righteous kids and some have rebellious kids?  According to the author there are 3 reasons that helped the Anti-Nephi-Lehies remain strong and help their children gain strong testimonies: Pre-conversion, Complete Transformation, and Laying Down Weapons of Rebellion.

 

The Lamanites were a covenant making and keeping people.  The didn't break oaths and that helped lay the foundation for their future transformation.  This was part of their pre-conversion.  Do I teach my children the importance of personal integrity--doing what you say you will do?  Do I have personal integrity?  Am I building that foundation?

 

Part of having a complete transformation is making life-style changes--living differently from the world.  "If children are to cling to the faith, they must clearly see the differences between a gospel-centered life and how the rest of the world lives.  They also need to see and experience the joy that results from living the gospel."  After their conversion the Anti-Nephi-Lehies didn't see themselves as Lamanites and knew that they would never be Nephites, so they chose a new name to help them remember their covenants.  They removed themselves from old influences.  Do we live differently than the world?  Do my children feel that difference and recognize the peace?

 

After this conversion the Anti-Nephi-Lehies buried their weapons of war and their weapons of rebellion.  "They became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren" (Alma 23:7).  They had a change of heart and knew that they couldn't stain their swords again with the blood of their brethren.  They also needed to give up any rebellious actions directed toward God. 

 

Kevin Hinckley says that the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies "document[s] a deep conversion by parents and show[s] its subsequent effect on their children."  He showed how important it is for a parent to have a transformed life to keep their children from rebelling.  Even though I didn't like this book, it did make me think and hope that I am fortifying my children and encouraging them to develop spiritual strength to fight off temptations they will face in this world. 

Book #30

Do you wish you were rich?  Most of us do. Do you know how to get rich?  Probably not.  In the LIFE business we teach a concept called "Define, Learn, Do" which says that we need to first define what we want, then learn from someone who has achieved that skill, and finally do what we've learned.  So, if you want to get rich (define), find a self-made millionaire and discover how he got rich (learn) then go out put the principles learned into practice (do).  Or you can read "The Richest Man in Babylon" by Georges S. Clason. 

Arkad is the richest man in Babylon.  Through stories and examples he educates the citizens of Babylon (and the reader) on the 7 rules that one must follow in order to become rich.  He also teaches the 5 laws of gold, shares the secrets for getting out of debt, suggests guidelines for lending money, and teaches the importance of hard work. 

We live in a world of instant gratification--drive-thru restaurants, text messaging, microwave dinners, etc.  But, part of what I learned from this book is that true wealth takes time to accumulate.  "Wealth that comes quickly goeth the same way./Wealth that stayeth to give enjoyment and satisfaction to its owner comes gradually, because it is a child born of knowledge and persistent purpose."  It takes discipline and courage to follow his techniques taught in this book, but I believe that over time it can make a person rich. 

Ashlee

 

 

 

Book #29

I read "The Fourth Turning" for my 5 Pillar class and for a book club.  I started it back in September at the recommendation of my mentor, but stopped after the first section thinking I had gotten what she wanted me to get out of it.  I was a little reluctant to pick it back up--it is a difficult read.  Sometimes I read a difficult book and am so glad that I pushed through because of all the things I learned.  I'm not grateful that I read this book, but proud that I was able to finish it.  I didn't not like the book, but I didn't like it either. 

The authors believe that history is cyclical (as opposed to linear or chaotic) and that there are 4 turnings (High/Founding, Awakening, Unraveling, and Crisis) with similar characteristics that repeat themselves every 80-100 years (a saeculum).  There are also generational archetypes that are found in each turning: Prophet, Nomad, Hero and Artist.  A Prophet is born during a High, Nomads during an Awakening, Heroes during an Unraveling and Artists during a Crisis.  The authors share many examples from history to support the traits of the turnings and the archetypes.  I had a hard time with all the history.  I have a very small memory of learning about some of the events and people but I can't remember the details.  The authors assume that the reader has some historical background. 

There were a couple of things that rang true, though.  The idea that history is cyclical and that we can learn from past cycles.  Edmund Burke warns that "those who don't know history are destined to repeat it."  The kids and I have noticed the truth of that as we study world history.  We've seen patterns and can guess what will happen when a ruler starts acting like a tyrant or when a civilization begins to fight among themselves.  Knowing that history is cyclical can also help us prepare for the future.  Even though our future isn't set in stone, there are things we can predict will happen based on the past. 

Another theme that I liked was the idea that each generation is shaped by the previous generations, and a generation is what shapes the turning.  "Your generation isn't like the generation that shaped you, but it has much in common with the generation that shaped the generation that shaped you."  Each turning has a certain order of archetypes.  The layering of the archetypes is what produces the turning.  Every High has Nomads entering elderhood (63-83), Heroes entering midlife (42-62), Artists entering young adulthood (21-41), and Prophets entering childhood (0-20).  The attributes of each turning have to do with what life-cycle (elderhood, midlife, young adulthood, childhood) the archetypes are entering.  Along with that, people who were Heroes during an Awakening in the Millennial Saeculum have similar characteristics as people who were Heroes during other Saeculums.  The authors have charts and dates to help you figure out what generation you belong to, but they also say "there is not fixed formula for identifying the persona of a real-life generation.  But it helps to look for three attributes: first, a generation's common location in history; second it's common beliefs and behavior; and third, its perceived membership in common generation."   I am on the boarder of two generations--the 13th and the Millennial Generations.  I have characteristics from both. 

This book has been recommended by people that I trust and respect and has been used as a resource by other people that I respect.  For that reason I read it.  Unfortunately I discussed the book with people who hated it.  They had nothing good to say and even thought that the portrayal of historical events was skewed and false.  I tend to put my faith in the first set of people, but the second set of people has made me think:  How can I know for myself if a book is true and giving correct information? 

 

Book #28

"Alas, Babylon" by Pat Frank is an apocalyptic novel from the 1950s in which a small town in Florida is one of the few towns to not be hit by or receive fallout from an atomic bomb.  It is the story of how the people survived.

The book made me think about things like money and leaders and protection.  I also thought about being prepared.  The people on River Road in Fort Repose figured out how to survive right from the beginning.  They seemed to have all the right people and resources.  I (facetiously) made a list of all the important people and things to have around in case of an emergency. 

--A doctor--especially one who knows about the dangers following a crisis. 
--A library and/or books--the people relied on the library as a source of entertainment and information.  They learned about edible plants, where to find salt, how to make and fix things and how to hypnotize. 
--Animals--chickens for eggs, pigs for meat, cows for milk, fish for meat.
--A garden--the people lived off the orange groves, they made whiskey from the corn and sugar cane, and had fresh vegetables during the right seasons. 
--Weapons--to protect friends and family.
--Medicines and herbs
--Items to trade--alcohol, sweets, coffee, cigarettes, toilet paper, honey
--Water--they lived right next to a river and had access to the fish, but they also had artesian water for drinking and bathing. 
--Cars with gas and bicycles
--Radio--they hooked up the short wave radio to car batteries and access to news outside their community.
--Friends and family--they built a small community that relied on each other.  They shared and helped as needed.
--Leaders and hard workers--they each had jobs and had to work hard in order to survive, but someone had to organize their efforts and take charge. 

The people on River Road luckily had all the right things--that is what made the story good.  Though it is not realistic, it got me thinking about what I need to do to prepare. 

Book #27

I just finished reading aloud "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo.  He is the author of "War Horse" and "Farm Boy"--2 books we read last year and enjoyed.  (On a side note--when I'm typing the title of a book, do I underline, use quotes, or italicize?) 

This book takes place in Germany during WWII.  A family adopts an elephant from the zoo where the mom works, bringing it home in the evenings.  One night, while on a walk, their city (Dresden) gets attacked by bombers and they have to escape.  They start walking and take the elephant with them.  Most of the story is about what happens on their long walk from Dresden to where the American troops were. 

Reading the book in the space of a week gave the false impression that their journey was short--only a few days.  But, the reality is that it took them several weeks of walking through snow and rain and always struggling to find food and shelter.  One of the refugees complained a lot.  But on a more positive day she says "If Peter (the navigator they found) was our guide, and Mutti (the mother) was our strength, then Marlene (the elephant) was our inspiration."  She recognized the strengths of her traveling companions.  The comment about the mom resonated with me.  I've been focusing on changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts and I realize how easy it is for me to get sucked into other people's negative thoughts and words.  The mother always said the same thing to the daughter who complained: "Just put one foot in front of the other and we'll get there."  She always tried to be positive.  I appreciated her example.  It's easy to be positive when things are going well, but hard when in the middle of a trial.