Writing Class Philosophies

I'm teaching writing this fall at Olivet Nazarene University.  Here are the basic philosophies I'll be working with.

1. Writing is a critical form of self-expression.
2. Writing is critical for self-knowledge.
3. Writing is meant to be read.  Therefore, we will often share our writings in small groups and with the class.
4. The world needs your voice.  We all have a voice.  We come from different places, different backgrounds, and different schools.  That diversity increases the importance of individual voices.
5. We can all grow as writers.  We all have different strengths and weaknesses.  But we can all improve our skill as writers.  
6. Writing flourishes in an environment of acceptance, encouragement, and challenge.
7. Learning is fun, and fun facilitates learning.
8. Learning is hard work.
9. Writing grows through practice.  We’ll spend a lot of time in class practicing our writing.  This is not busy work.  This is practice to improve our skill at writing.
10. Writing is increasingly important in our world.  Contrary to popular opinion, social media makes writing MORE important not less important.  Emails, tweets, posts, and blogs are increasingly common.

Help me out.  Share your thoughts and feedback on this before class starts.

Lent Trash Walk

What: Every day during Lent, take a walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash as you go.

How: The basics are pretty obvious, but here are a few tips.

• Bring a plastic grocery bag.  (Paper can rip too easily.)
• If your neighborhood has a lot of trash like mine, it can be overwhelming.  Don’t try to pick up every single piece of trash.  Just pick one up every so often and enjoy the walk.
• Don’t worry if you can’t see a difference from day to day.  People will toss out new trash.  But probably by the end of Lent, there will be less trash around than when you started.
• Try not to stress out about the details.  Just enjoy being outside and moving.
• As much as possible, try not to let people see you picking up trash.  Go at a less busy time.  If someone is walking toward you, just pass up that piece and go on to the next one.  This is a way to make sure we’re not doing this to look good.
• Walk the same path every day - unless your neighborhood is mostly trash-free. 
• Make it spiritual.  Try gentle bits of prayer as you go: “God clean up the trash in my heart ...  God clean us spiritually ... Give us a greater sense of responsibility for our world ...  God, where is there emotional trash in me?  ...  God, thank you for these beautiful trees ...”
• Wash your hands when you’re done.

Why: Walking and picking up trash may not seem very spiritual or Christian, but there are actually lots of good benefits.

• Our neighborhoods get a little cleaner and more beautiful.
• Trash goes into the trash or recycle bins instead of polluting our ground and water.
• Exposure to sun and nature is a natural mood booster.
• Quiet time is always good for the soul.
• Exercise is good for the body, mind, and soul.  John Wesley said, “Most people’s prayer lives would be improved by a 20 minute walk every day.”