(under construction)
Week 1- view Week 2- sullen Week 3- yield Week 4- unfavorable Week 5- pedagogue
View.030215.Monday
“The author gave us a pictorial representation of his views.” Our word this week is view. With scenery, we look for a view. In opinions, we are free to express our view on our areas of expertise. We look to the future with a view to what might happen. With ‘view’ we can express opinions, give advice and even express our thoughts in various ways. The view from the mountaintop is always impressive!
View.030315.Tuesday
“The view of the river gorge from the Durango-Silverton train was beautiful.” In this example, we see one way in which view can be used. The definition “things that can be seen from a particular place” is applicable in the example. Another common definition is “an opinion or way of thinking about something.” Another way in which view can be used is “a mode or manner of looking at or regarding something.” More simply, is to indicate a way of thinking about something. Your view of life can be positive or negative!
View.030415.Wednesday
“There is no evidence to support that view.” In this sentence we see an illustration of another meaning for view. It is “an opinion or judgment colored by the feeling or bias of it holder.” Evidence gives us a sign of what the view is about. To view something is to look at or see some meaning in what is being viewed. Pictures can give us a view. Opinions can give us a view. An examination can give us a view. A cartoon can give us a view. Yes, even those rose colored glasses can give us a very tinted view!
View.030515.Thursday
“The ship slowly sailed out of view.” We can see by this example that ‘view’ can have a time factor attached to it. View can be static, i.e. no movement, or it can be over a time period. As an opinion, that can also change depending upon the focus of the one who has the opinion. In a pictorial framework, view is most usually unchanging. Once taken the focus of the picture does not change. When an artist paints a view of a landscape, it is unchanging. You can choose your views and stick with it!
View.030615.Friday
View your relationships with care. Your relationships are many. Those who are close to you must be viewed carefully because of the emotional attachments that you have with them. Casual acquaintances seldom have a high level of emotional attachment. However, workplace relationships can cause the most difficulty because of the amount of time spent in close proximity. Try to view your workplace relationships at an arm’s length and with as much emotional detachment as possible. It helps relieve stress. Have a plan with how you view your relationships!
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Sullen.030915.Monday
“A sullen mood came over the crowd as they heard the bad news.” This week’s word gives a very negative description to things that it describes. It can portray unhappiness or anger. Sullen seems to seep through the nature of those who hear the conditions that mark certain events. Watch carefully those people who have a sullen attitude!
Sullen.031015.Tuesday
“She grew sullen after a spat with her spouse.” This example sentence gives us the most used meaning of sullen. That is “used to describe an angry or unhappy person who does not want to talk, smile or be friendly.” It also means a gloomy or resentful silence in someone. Sullen can also be used to describe a lack of color or a gray cloudy day. It has also been used to describe a sluggish and slow moving river. The prominent feature of sullen is to cast a dark and gloomy atmosphere!
Sullen.031115.Wednesday
“A sullen teen can produce a parenting challenge.” Several adjectives can help our understanding of what a ‘sullen’ attitude can produce. Difficult, moody and crabby are three words that can amplify the meaning of a sullen attitude. Being morose and glum are also helpful descriptive words. Any of these supplement one’s understanding of what sullen can mean. “A sullen winter day” is very descriptive of a monotonous gray and seemingly lifeless day. Look for ways to overcome a sullen attitude!
Sullen.031215.Thursday
Sullen is seldom used to represent a positive or productive result. “The prisoner’s sullen and morose mood cast a pall over the entire courtroom.” We see in this example sentence, the subject’s sullen mood has impacted the court’s environment in a very negative way. The opposite of happy, sullen portrays an unhappy scene that infects everything within. When you find yourself in a sullen mood, remember that it never produces any good!
Sullen.031315.Friday
“A sullen cynic can always find fault.” Faultfinding in a relationship is never productive and many times creates more problems than it solves. Relationships can sometimes be fragile and cynicism can intensify a person’s sullen moodiness. Respect can overcome many problems but it must be used wisely and never with cynicism. Relationships need constant care and attention!
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Yield.031615.Monday
“My garden will yield plenty of vegetables.” Spring brings renewal. As winter yields its cold weather to the warmer winds of springtime, we begin to think of things like ‘spring cleaning,’ vacation plans and outdoor activities. Those with a green thumb for growing things will begin preparations for spring planting such as turning the soil, fertilizing and starting seedlings for the garden. Others will be looking at spring training for the new baseball season. Yes, we even set our clocks to yield more ‘sunny hours’ by using Daylight Savings Time!
Yield.031715.Tuesday
“I yield the floor to the Senator from Maine.” In this sentence pattern, we see one senator give way to another which tells us he is giving up possession of the floor. To release claim is one meaning of yield. To bring forth a natural product such as fruit is another definition. Also, to bear interest as in the yield of a bond or investment is yet another way to understand how this word is used. To produce profit from labor is another good meaning. It is not a good idea to yield to temptation for it does not bring any good profit!
Yield.031815.Wednesday
Ever run a ‘yield’ sign? Yep, it can sometimes be messy. Yield means to surrender or submit to another. There are also other ways in which yield is used. Yield as in interest on an investment. Also, yield as in tax monies that bring in revenue for government entities. When we expend time and energy on a project and it produces a return or yield. Each of these is an indicator of something produced as a benefit. Even when we yield to another person, it can bring good results!
Yield.031915.Thursday
“The catcher’s deep right field single yielded 2 runs for the D-Backs.” The end result of this player’s hit was profitable for his team. In the past tense (yielded), we see this verb showing production from an action. Whether it is interest on a bond yield, harvesting vegetables or working hard to make a product, we see that such actions help one to see a profitable end result. Yield even in the sense of giving up or relinquishing possession of something is productive. Watch to make sure your yield will increase!
Yield.032015.Friday
“All relationships should yield productive results.” When one does not, it should be given only minor amounts of time and attention. Unproductive relationships may be the source of frustration and wasted energy. Focus most of your time on good relationships that add meaning to your life and help you achieve goals. When a relationship yields good results it should be nurtured for its mutual benefit. May your associations with others yield pleasant thoughts daily!
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Unfavorable.032315.Monday
“Mild winter weather is unfavorable for gardening.” Cold weather helps to kill many insect pests. Mild weather makes it favorable for insects to attack vegetation quicker and stronger. Easy times seem good, but we humans are known to be “bad weather” animals. Easy times are unfavorable for helping us to get stronger to make it through difficult situations. Unfavorable times can make us stronger so we can get through those hard spots!
Unfavorable.032415.Tuesday
“The Senator has formed an unfavorable impression of the President.” The primary definition of unfavorable is to express disapproval. Its secondary meaning is to cause problems or difficulties. Not pleasing is another sense in which unfavorable is used. This is a negative word used to express a displeasure or contrary point of view. This word should be used sparingly otherwise it might indicate an opposition attitude. Guard your unfavorable impressions carefully!
Unfavorable.0322515.Wednesday
“The sailboat hit some unfavorable winds that drove it off course.” We see in this sentence a couple of words that indicate a problem or difficulty: off course and winds that are not favorable. The negative tone of ‘unfavorable’ gives direction of what kind of sign or symptom to look for. These will include opposed, contrary, and unpleasant. Such words set the color or mood for how this word ‘unfavorable’ is normally used. The prefix ‘un’ gives it the adverse spin as a symptom. Do not let unfavorable conditions set your mood!
Unfavorable.032615.Thursday
“Life sometimes delivers unfavorable results to our decisions.” It happens because we do not always know what impact our choices may have upon circumstances. When we make choices and do not know all of the information that is available, the unknown information can be unfavorable to the decisions that we think are right. The more research and information we have available the better are the results to our choices. When things seem unfavorable, caution is advised!
Unfavorable.032715.Friday
“She formed an unfavorable impression of him.” What does it take to overcome an unfavorable impression? One must be able to be aware of one’s own weaknesses and faults. If that can be done, it might be possible to be fair and honest in the appraisal of another person. Seldom does that happen. When an unfavorable impression is formed, there are factors involved which form the negative basis for such an impression. Most of us filter what we sense with certain criteria, and it is hard to change such criteria with ease. Beware of filters that seek bad impressions!
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Pedagogue.033015.Monday
“The best pedagogue is not he who descends to his pupils from the heights but he who rises to new levels together with them.” Most of us as students, have had a teacher or instructor who was a pedagogue. You know the one, that teacher who challenged you to do your best. He or she helped you to get over the hump and into new areas of thought and ability. Yes, my seventh grade teacher was like that. She encouraged me to read and dream. She pushed me to do more than I thought possible. You don’t have a pedagogue? Find one and expand your horizons!
Pedagogue.033115.Tuesday
“The fact that she handles herself like a relaxed and veteran pedagogue is no fluke.” The first known use of ‘pedagogue’ is from the 14th century Middle English. The original Greek meaning was a paid worker, usually a slave, who accompanied the owner’s children to school. It now means a schoolteacher or educator who instructs in a pedantic or dogmatic manner. Today Pedagogue is more commonly used by the British rather than Americans!
Pedagogue.040115.Wednesday
“The life of a pedagogue seems to have been most agreeable to Robin.” She was my wife’s best friend who passed away last year. Robin was a teacher of children who enjoyed her work. To her, it was a joy to help children have new dreams and learn new ways of doing daily tasks. Sadly, she is no longer teaching, but we should encourage those who are trying to be the best teachers. Encourage a pedagogue today!
Pedagogue.040215.Thursday
“No pedagogue wrote this piece.” The author is not a teacher. Teachers learn their craft by hard study and intense practice. There are good teachers, bad teachers and many are at various levels. Be sure you know your teachers, those who teach your children and those who teach at higher institutions. Many today are not ‘teachers’ but purveyors of propaganda. They do not teach truth, but teach politically correct lies. Do not be naïve and assume that all teachers are good pedagogues!
Pedagogue.040315.Friday
“Many pedagogues worth their salt know the job is to teach how to think, not what to think.” Because a ‘pedagogue’ knows how to teach one to think, does not always mean that he or she will know how to teach good relationships. A good relationship is built upon much more than just knowing how to think because they also involve a person’s emotions. In a relationship, one’s emotions can override even the most balanced and well-adjusted of thinkers. Emotions do not always involve rational actions as a person’s imagination can become dominate and irrational. Unbridled emotions can ruin the best of relationships!
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