“Most people go through life without ever discovering the existnce of that whole field of endeavor which we describe as second wind. Whether mentally or physically occupied most people give up at the first appearance of exhaustion. Thus they never learn the glory and the exhilaration of genuine effort….”
Katharine Graham, quoting from a letter she received from her mother, Agnes Meyer, said that this was one aspect of her mother’s philosophy that she imposed on her children.
It was a common push by parents and teachers, including in public schools I attended in Burlingame, CA. I note that many families continue to encourage their children in these ways also, in spite of popular cultural distractions. Thanks, parents and teachers. I appreciate your efforts enough to try to share it with others as you did with me.
The quote came to mind when listening to a science teacher describe students who did not want to use Tablet PCs in science class. They seemed reluctant to try something different from what already gave them top grades.
The trade-off for the teacher was to insist on uses of Tablets or handle complaints from the refusers’ parents. The teacher’s compromise: Students can choose whether or not to use the Tablets to complete lessons; the teacher continued to show classes how to use Tablets to complete assignments easier and faster. Previous C and D students rose to A and B students during the semester and challenged the pencil-paper students for class grade ranking.
Now, that’s an interesting “second wind” for an astute teacher. Kudos, Teach!
Graham, K. (1997). Personal History. NY: Random House, p. 40.