Tuesday January 14 \u00a0Tagore # 2<\/p>\n
A university has a constant identity. \u00a0Here, people listen, take each other seriously. \u00a0Teachers listen to students. \u00a0 When I taught full time, some students told me one day that I was most scary when one of them would say something and I would turn around and write the student’s words on the board, circle one word, and turn around and say: “Why did you choose that word?” \u00a0Teachers do that, listen for the voice, call it forth; expect respect the words. \u00a0 Not only teachers though. \u00a0We call on students to listen to each other, to expect meaning from each other. \u00a0 Secretaries, \u00a0staff in the registrar’s office, nurse practitioners in the student wellness center, \u00a0campus security officers, coaches; \u00a0lots of listening goes on around here.<\/p>\n
On good days, each of us knows that. \u00a0And on bad days, maybe one of our peers will \u00a0notice and ask how we are doing, listen to us. \u00a0Rabindranath Tagore writes of God expecting a song from me, thrilling me by sacred attention.\u00a0\u00a0(Gitanjali # 2)<\/p>\n
“Snow showers,” says weather.com<\/a>, but I see the sun shining on tree tops outside my west-facing window. \u00a0Have a blest day.<\/p>\n john sj<\/p>\n Tagore # 2<\/strong><\/p>\n When Thou commandest me to sing<\/p>\n it seems that my heart would break with pride<\/p>\n and I look to Thy face<\/p>\n and tears come to my eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All that is harsh and dissonant in my life<\/p>\n melts into one sweet harmony<\/p>\n and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird<\/p>\n on its flight across the sea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I know Thou takest pleasure in my singing<\/p>\n I know that only as a singer I come before Thy presence<\/p>\n I touch by the edge of the far spreading wing of my song<\/p>\n Thy feet which I could never aspire to reach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Drunk with the joy of singing<\/p>\n I forget myself<\/p>\n and call Thee friend<\/p>\n who art my lord.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Tagore\u00a0 Gitanjali<\/span>\u00a0 #<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tuesday January 14 \u00a0Tagore # 2 A university has a constant identity. \u00a0Here, people listen, take each other seriously. \u00a0Teachers listen to students. \u00a0 When I taught full time, some students told me one day that I was most scary … Continue reading