An architect visited a construction site and asked the brick masons what they were building. "Mister," the first worker slopped mud onto a brick, "can't you see I'm building a wall?" Every worker, no matter the chore, told the architect they were laying brick or stacking a wall. One worker offered a different version of his labors. He stood upright, smiled and said, "Look. I'm building a cathedral." With our day-to-day toils of parenting and teaching, we might say, "Can't you see I'm busy with the kids?" When we develop the art of the long view we should discover that we are building humanity. We are part of a group striving to build a better world, task by task, day by day, year in year out, generation by generation. When we have a plan and a vision, we understand we are building cathedrals, not walls. The mundane becomes the magnificent. And that makes all the difference. Read Building Cathedrals Not Walls for a dose of parenting and teaching inspiration. show more
Maren Schmidt currently writes an award-winning newspaper column on child development issues, Kids Talk. She is a certified Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) elementary practitioner. Ms. Schmidt founded a Montessori school and has over twenty-five years experience working with children. She is also the author of Understanding Montessori: A Guide for Parents. Visit MarenSchmidt.com for more information. show more
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