Studying history does a great deal of good on so many fronts. First of all, it expands one's knowledge. More importantly, it gives one a proper perspective on life--that it's short and should be lived worthily.
In case you didn't already know, I'm a private tutor for several different subjects to students of various ages and academic levels. One of my absolute favorite topics to tutor is, of course, history. I have many fourth graders who are studying California history right now. I remember the topic boring me to tears in elementary school, and while I still somewhat shudder at the sound of "mission dioramas," I find the history fascinating. Today, one of my students and I read about the California railways and the marriage of the Central and Union Pacific railways. It brought to light just how great we have it now. I prompted my student a number of times with questions such as, "So, can you imagine what it would be like without machines? Where you and a whole lot of other men had to use their own strength to dig and lay tracks?" He paused and added, very intuitively, "Yeah, and they used dynamite and explosives on hills and tunnels and things, and you could die." Perspective made. My job is done. :)
It's so important to realize that we live because of great men who have gone before us to make this life as good as it is now. (Response #4536 to feminist claims of men being stupid...who built the railways, freeways, cured polio, pasteurized milk, found penicillin? Oh, that's right...MEN! :) Not only is is worthwhile and completely necessary to recognize past achievements, it's also important to note that they are, in fact, dead. Meaning, the same will be of us someday too, hopefully later than sooner. While many great inventors and thinkers made quite a bit of money from their invention, it was their invention that lasted through the ages, not their money or lifestyle. The same, again, is true of us. What we do, who we are, who we impact will be the lasting effect on the world, not what house we had or how much money we made.
Sorry to preach. But this is what I get from reading California history. You too can have these insights and more... :) Here's to greater knowledge!
Posted by Portia at June 13, 2005 06:18 PM
