Yes, how true is this!!!!! Great meaning in this insightful poem.

Pride don't put food on my table
But when I do or make something
I try doing it to the best of my ability
Only your words sound much better
Love & peace

William

definitely a great piece of verse Gwen, I've got to remember this because I am somewhat of a loofer, sitting on the sofa, hugs to u poetess :-)

It is sad Karen - many do only what they have to to just squeak through the day. Your poetic advice is sage, and obviously learned from experience, and should be shared with every student who struggles with worth or with motivation. Kudos!

I'm reminded of a buddist teaching story...there was an old carpenter who worked his entire life for the king, nearing his retirement the king commissioned him to build one last house for him, and money was no object, he was to spend with oppulence, making this the most luxurious and comfortable home...the carpenter decided to slack in materials and quality believing the king would never know the inferior construction or the cheap parts he would use, and the carpenter would pocket the extra money, afterall it was his last job and hadn't he earned it after devoting his entire carrer to the king? after weeks and months passed the house was finally finished. The king called the entire kingdom together for the house completion ceremony and then did a remarkable gesture of gratitude to his loyal carpenter. The King handed the keys of the home to the carpenter and said because you have been so loyal to me all these years, I give you this house as your retirement gift so you may live long and comfortable in your elder years. The moral of course, is you should do everything you do with passion and quality because you just never know, you might have to live in it.

This is well-stated, Karen...it also applies to poets who should remember this when trying to hawk their books on the internet...actually, the poor quality of most poetry I see can hinder sales of authors' books...there are too many non-poets trying to write poetry and not enough true poets, so in essence, does an injustice to the poetry genre and this has a severe backlash to an author's readership...it is beyond me why an author who is an author and not a poet would want to write poor quality poetry to sell what may be an otherwise great fiction book! An audience looks at the overall quality of a writer...it is what is wrong with self-publishing in today's standards...most don't live up to quality...that means general writing, the book cover, and lack of hiring a professional editor, not just a friend or family member to look it over...thanks for this piece, Karen...

Love,
Sage

Yes I agreed with your words here
must give yourself 100% to what you do
I grow up always telling myself
Take pride on whatever you do,
To do this you must not be satisfied with just the best
You can do,if you can do better!
Excellent write quality not quantity!
Peace love and Light..and hugesss...Morning star

To take pride in what we do is key,,, this is full of very wise words!

Yes, you are right, we must reclaim pride in our accomplishments, our work, our achievements, but you know that is something inborn, bred, and as well learned. It does have to come from within...How do you teach this? It's a difficult task..The only thing you can do is to teach the best you can and hope and pray your message and lessons are understood and held within to continue the process of teaching and living and learning...
Much peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"

Karen, there use to be such pride in all that was done but it seems like even the children live in the fastlane & don't want to take their work seriously...everyone is in such a hurry. I sometimes want to yell out, "Stop the world for a minute and let's regroup." A great write.

We must re-claim the pride once known,
And relay that sense of pride to our children

Something very much lacking, and also very much needed, in our world today.

Well said. My master-carpenter grandfather would have agreed. Sadly, too much time these days is spent on taking credit or passing blame, while those with the true right to take pride in an accomplishment get pushed aside and forgotten.

Sage advice from someone I know who puts her all into each and every write she does and it shows not only in the quality of her work but also in the passion that work portrays.
Hugs
Fee

This is a wonderful inspiring write with good advice. Nicely done.

You are fighing a losing battle . . . The school system in America care only about giving students a false sense of self-esteem, never mind that their reading skills are such them can't even read the words "self esteem."

Sound advice and always true. Everything is in the moment - any moment. Well expressed. Tom

Karen, as a teacher, I too see exactly what it is that you are talking about here. You have expressed this so well.

...of many it can be said...that pride in ones work...is a lost art...perhaps not holding onto the learned skills of the past...something once handed down with "Quality"...has become throw away...even moments.
very well written and very true Karen...
John

This so true...I face this issue at work all the time and it bugs me to no end when someone says let it go...it will be alright...I beg to differ; that is why I am in the quality contol office now...well said Karen

Karen,

Sad - educators cannot educate anymore; they're underpaid caretakers and babysitters. What happened to the readin', writin' and 'rithmatic? Gave way to political (administrative) pressures. A powerful write - well done.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Brava! This is so good Karen! I tell my grancchildren they must give it their best if they hope to get good grades! Their parents make sure they do the study needed too,but they tell us so many kids do nothing and get away with it. Sad,that parents don't take more of an interest,but are quick to complainn!You have my sympathy!...ET

Oh Karen this is the same thing I instilled in my children. I thought it died out many years ago. Thank God for teachers like you. You are truly "Quality" in all sense of the word. Love, Bonnie