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| Photo courtesy of foundwalls |
“The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.”
― T.H. White, The Once and Future King
Important message here Annie, I'll be sharing it with my 17 year old nephew....hope that's ok.Lots of love Jxxx
ReplyDeleteInteresting you say that, Janice, as this really aimed at my 14 year old son. I hope he reads it and picks up the message. Axxx
DeleteI've just found out it's a bit late for my 17 year old nephew.... Today, he was finally permanently excluded from school, after 3 previous supposedly permanent exclusions. There is no way back for him. It's so frustrating because you know that in a few years time he'll be kicking himself for wasting the opportunities that were just there in front of him. It will all be so much more difficult later on. Aggghhhhh. I hope things are going well for Mateo. x
DeleteIt definitely works for me - most of the time!
ReplyDeleteI´m hoping my son reads it, Nilly, but it really made me think when I stumbled upon it by accident ...or was it an accident? I thought it was lovely and I may have to re-read the book. I don't really remember it from the first time around. Axx
DeleteHello Annie,
DeleteIts never an accident! I've always believed that books, language and music find you when you need it. This is such a lovely message for sharing.
Celia
Thank you Celia - I absolutely agree. Axxx
DeleteHello Annie:
ReplyDeleteWe have always held to the belief that education is the cornerstone of everything. At times, when we look about us, we are beset with doubt.
As a family, we love learning and reading and finding out new things and so on - usually driven by a sense of curiosity and interest. What I hadn't realised was that learning could also be a tool to help with some of life's more difficult moments.
DeleteDon't doubt; it has to be right.
Axx
What a pleasure to open your post and find T.H.White!
ReplyDeleteI'm with the Hattatts...education is the cornerstone - real education that teaches you how to learn anything and everything, that drives you to understand, that gives you the tools to make your own world.
The ruling class used to govern people by refusing them education...now they are more subtle...they give people schools and universities from which any real education has been removed.
Lucky indeed is the child whose parents know what real education is and practise it.
Oh how I agree that many schools often provide so little in the way of an education, the fault of governments and curricula I'm sure and not teachers. We home schooled and have produced rounded young adults with a thirst for learning who know how to find the information they need. And two still managed to get Master's degrees!
DeleteI do hope Mateo gets the message Annie and that life is kinder too him x
I have to admit that whilst life is good in southern Spain and there's an openness that we didn't find in the UK, the schools are not as good as I'd hoped - though education seen as very important. Home schooling is ILLEGAL!! But I have confidence that Mateo will continue to engage in his own learning - thank goodness for the internet!! He has access to so much that interests him.
DeleteAxxx
So glad you liked this, Fly. It was one of those serendipitous moments when I was looking for something else but found this. And this was perfect. It's really for my son, who is not at his happiest at the moment at school, but who is deeply interested in learning. I don't know if he'll read it, but I hope so. And maybe I'll get him the book anyway as I no longer have a copy to hand.
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I tried in vain to interest my daughter in literature and archaeology and always feel that I failed miserably because she still doesn't "get it". Hopefully the foundations have been laid and one day the light will be switched on.
ReplyDeleteThird time of trying to reply, Annie! I keep getting thrown out and I wonder if it's because I'm saying something wrong?
DeleteI just wanted to say I'm glad you enjoyed it which feels strange seeing as I didn't write it! It was so perfect, I couldn't have improved on what I wanted to say to my son.
I know it's difficult as a parent to find the best way to engage our children with the things that have moved us - mine show no real interest in music :-( - even though I know that at least one of them is quite talented. Frustrating - but as you say, the foundations have been laid. Axxx
I'm so sorry that Mateo is feeling sad at school but hope that you can both find a way forward using these wise words. It can be difficult, as a parent, to find the right balance of sympathy, encouragement and positivity to help steer our children through difficult times. I'm hoping that better times lie just ahead and that Mateo continues to love learning even if he doesn't love school.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gaynor. I hope you are right and whilst I can't make things perfect for my son, I hope I can help him through his difficult times. Feeling a little guilty too as I've stepped back from involvement at school in Spain much more than I did in the UK.
DeleteThey are pretty good words for anyone who takes the time to read them, though, aren't they?
Axxx
I adored that book when I read it, but it's so long ago now! I feel a reread coming on :D
ReplyDeleteMy life is not all it could be just now - for all I have my new studio to look forward to - but it is reading and learning and doing that keeps me sane. It is a major lesson learned already if Mateo knows that. And the hard times do pass x
I too must re-read it - I think I may be at an age when the words have more impact. There's always room for improvement, isn't there! Mateo seems a bit more himself this week and we have a delivery of new books coming soon from Amazon - I know that will help!
DeleteI'm sure the new studio will help, Annie. As you, I too could be more settled and I am also looking forward to the arrival of the books.
Axxx
Such a good saying! I am feeling just that with two children having flown the nest, and the last growing up too fast!
ReplyDeletePomona x
This has proved a popular post. Wish I'd used some of my own words! However, they are all good ones and obviously, they have touched quite a few people for numerous reasons. My children are young enough still for me to not worry about being without them just yet!
DeleteAxxx
I was blown away by the words on this post when I read it. Totally, and utterly blown away. It applies to all age groups.........
ReplyDeleteHow I wish they were mine, MPM, but they are exactly what I wanted to say to my son. And they have spoken to me too. Thanks. Axx
DeleteWonderfully wise words, Annie and they apply throughout life, not just to our children. My DH lives by the maxim "When you stop learning, you stop really living" - Merlin's thoughts in a nutshell. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear Mateo is going through a rough patch at school. We all have them, but somehow at the time think we are the only one. I hope things improve for him very soon.
Thank you Perpetua - I'm glad to say that one week on, there is already signs of improvement. We are working through things and learning to give him the space he needs to grow in. It's hard for us too.
DeleteAxxx
P.S. Love the new look. Simple is best, eh? :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you - you are the only one who has noticed/commented - I thought it was nicer for a change.
DeleteAxx
It's the one I changed to and I still like it - very restful. :-)
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