Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Eyes to See


"I have eyes to see now what I have never seen before." -Anonymous

The above quote was written in the late 1870s by a correspondence student of American chemist and educator, Ellen H. Richards. The student was learning through the Society to Encourage Studies at Home, founded in 1873 by Anna Eliot Ticknor.


Paul C, of quoteflections, has issued an invitation:

For the month of June could anyone so inclined go on an interesting personal journey for good quotations and include some reflections?...You could select one a day, or skip some days and do twenty...or ten for the month. It is entirely up to you.


Since these are our final, crazy weeks of school here in upstate New York, I've decided that weekly quote/reflections would best fit my schedule.

The anonymous quote I've chosen appeals to me for a few reasons.

It was written by a correspondence student, a female who chose to further her education in a non-traditional manner. If this woman were alive today, I am certain that she would be exploring the rich diversity of digital learning opportunities, just as I am.

These words might also describe my growing love affair with photography. I've been contributing a daily photo to two Flickr groups, 365/2009 and 2009/365, and my attention to detail and appreciation of the world around me has increased exponentially.

I now have "eyes to see."






"Me, Myself, and Eye" by Clearly Ambiguous

4 comments:

Paul C said...

What a meaningful quote and historical context. Yes, Ellen was given eyes to see through a correspondence course. She was given the opportunity to read, reflect, and learn from the material she was sent. 'I now have eyes to see...'

Today, what opportunities are afforded those who want to learn outside the walls of a classroom, where technology has multiplied the possibilities.

Thanks for the link, Diane, to the beginning of a small but hopefully meaningful writing journey for those so inclined.

WhoRamanoids said...

"I have no way, and therefore want no eyes;
I stumbled when I saw: full oft 'tis seen,
Our means secure us, and our mere defects
Prove our commodities. O dear son Edgar,
The food of thy abused father's wrath!
Might I but live to see thee in my touch,
I'ld say I had eyes again!"

Gloucester in King Lear

diane said...

Paul,

I see, hoping to understand and share, reshape, create.

This is truly a wonderful time to be alive and learning!


Andavane,

In 1968, I spent the summer at Lincoln College, Oxford University. We studied 17th century poets and Shakespeare's King Lear; we later Lear performed at Stratford-on-Avon. Thank you for reminding me of that time and place!

@GwynethJones - The Daring Librarian said...

Diane...this is perfect! i love that we're on this exciting journey together!
~Gwyneth