My Letter to the School Board in Support of Mr. Paul Smith

Dear School Board Member,

My purpose in writing is to ask for your support in restoring Mr. Paul Smith’s position as the principle at Layton High. It troubles me to see a strong leader being forced out of a position he is highly qualified for. What the districts decision shows me is that Mr. Smith’s qualifications limit him to less then a high school principle. It would be incorrect for anyone to assume this. Help give back Layton High’s principal or help us retrieve a detailed explanation to their decision.

I myself am a student at Davis High School, who for the past semester has been interning as a history teacher at Layton High, under the direction of Mr. Delose Conner. My mere acquaintance was all I needed to understand the immense character that Mr. Smith demonstrated. I have been exploring the field of teaching as a career path for quite some time now, and have come to understand that teaching is not about the money, but about the joy that comes from serving students. This understanding comes from my first encounter with Mr. Smith. He sat me down in his office and explained to me that teaching was a noble profession, and also of the immense impact teachers have on future world leaders. Likewise, he stressed the importance of instilling values in students. It is more important to be the teacher that is disliked today, and admired ten years from now because of the valuable life lessons taught, than the teacher who was “cool” ten years ago because he pleased the students by succumbing to their pressures.

Some people may argue that he could be putting on a show to gain a good reputation with all those he meets. In reply to this I can say that no matter how persuasive the argument against him, I will know of the sincerity of the words spoken to me during our first meeting. Paul Smith is an admirable leader who supports his faculty and the students whom they teach. He is the cause of much success at Layton High School. Do what is best for the students. To neglect action would be contradicting the Davis School District’s Mission Statement, of fostering educational excellence, and providing a safe environment where students can acquire the skills, knowledge, values, and commitment to adapt to and lead a changing world. That is precisely what Mr. Smith explained to me, we need to nurture the future leaders of the world. I have faith the school board will do what is best for the education of the teenagers within the district.

Sincerely,

Wesley Mathis

Christmas is Coming the Goose is Getting Fat

This holiday season let me express with utmost reverence and sincerity my gratitude for all that God has blessed me with.

I have recently participated in a service project that has severely impacted my life. A group of my friends and associates scrounged for, and bought winter coats, hats, and gloves to distribute to the homeless and needy in Salt Lake City. I have seen a side of life that was difficult to observe. The natural man inside of many of us wants to remain in ignorance, or pretend that our eyes did not witness that side of life where you see fellow human beings suffering and living in ways we would never wish for ourselves. Astounding, it is absolutely astounding that we are here, living in the 21 century and some of us still live without the necessities that have allowed us continuance from day one of human existence. Unfortunately, too many of us, myself included, give into our natural man's intuition. We pretend like we never saw those in need, just so our lives will remain at ease. It is time to step out of the bubble of comfort in which we live. Let us rise to be greater then the natural man, by overcoming the urge to sit back relax and take it easy while men, women , and children all over the world still fight, not to pay of their credit card bill, but to stay alive, or to put at ease the hunger which pierces their stomach like lemon juice to a paper cut.

One of the concerns that my group had was that the nice coats which we provided would end up in the hands of someone who would rather feed their monstrous addiction to drugs, alcohol or tobacco, than provide warmth through the cold winter night. It does happen. Addiction and Moral perversion can be leading factors in these peoples position in life. An intoxicated man laying on the floor of one of the shelters we visited backed my testimony of this as he bellowed "Next person that a touches me I'm a gonna bla-ast um", while my feet shuffled near his face in the crowded hall. We tried to avoid providing aid to such addictions at all cost. However, no matter what hands the coats end up in our conscience will not be affected because we were doing what we could to aid in a battle for humanity.

Luckily, for my group as we were getting out of the cars to venture into the shelter my friend flagged down a woman passing by on the sidewalk. Aside from providing her with a coat hat and gloves we were able to find out just how frequent it is that a donation of some kind will be used to feed some ones dark habit. She told us how she happened upon her station in life, and how she appreciated the help she received. Prior to our meeting she was without hat or gloves, her shoes were spotted with tears and rips, and she was just borrowing a thin coat from a friend. She was once living under a road bridge with a few others when their home and source of shelter was taken away because of road work and demolition. She left for a few minutes, then to our surprise returned with a friend whom she had found which we could trust to properly use the supplies we had to offer.

Our next adventure was entering the shelter, as we had decided that those volunteers running the place would be able to distribute the donations to the proper people. Many, men and women were waiting in line to gain access to the warmth of the building. The lengthy line was a result of the long process of inspecting each individual that entered for any dangerous behavior or intoxication to insure the safety of all the temporary residents. Many heckles were thrown our way as we were permitted to the front of the line to drop off our winter attire. Along with the insults floating around our heads hands from all direction were fondling the mountains of coats that we carried in our arms. One man with the stump of a cigarette came and while his hand rested on me he pleaded for one of the jackets that I carried. I could see the desperation in his eyes. One might wonder what drove that desperation: an addiction, or was he pleading for protection from the biting cold that would otherwise keep him up all night. Despite what it was I could see the pain this man was enduring, and as a result I allowed him to take the top coat, which his hand was already resting on.

I will never know the outcome of that coat but I feel I did some good in the world that cold night in Salt Lake. I do know however, the impact that night had on me. I witnessed a hard side of life that we often have no idea is there, because it is hidden from us to "protect" us from it's influence or to hide the shame that it would bring upon us to let others know that our own communities have these social problems.

As my family gathered around the dinner table a few nights later, we were prepared to enjoy a meal which my father proudly prepared. He offered a blessing upon that meal and in doing so he thanked the good Lord for our own blessings and asked a blessing on those less fortunate, on those who have no home, on those who were going without nourishment that night. My eyes gathered my own tears as I saw my fathers eyes drain onto his plate. Despite our own struggles we were among the fortunate who had food to replenish our strength.

No matter what station we are at in our own lives, there is room for service, even if we have to make room by expanding the bubble of comfort around us. This Christmas Season the goose is fat so let us share the trimmings with those who ask only for the drippings.

Fret Not the Wounds of Love

“We no longer know what love is. The thing itself is lost, drowned in a verbal deluge. It is impossible to come through to reality, which should be simple and clear.” French author Jules Renard’s claim that love should be simple and clear is even more applicable to the present day and age, than in his time. The meaning is lost, and yet we hear the word so often in today’s world: “Oh, I love those shoes…I love that flavor ice cream.” With every misuse the word becomes more distorted and misplaced. As a result its meaning is buried deeper in the sands of time. Beyond doubt, one of the greatest contributions one could make to today’s societies would be to restore an understanding of love, why it is needed, and how do develop it.

To lose the awareness of true love would be tragedy. Like hate, love is a strong word, and should not be beat to death as it is today. There are those who are in search of affection who do not understand what love is because of its loose and repetitive use in everyday conversation. For these lost individuals questionable places that include drugs, alcohol, sex and violence, can be perceived as places of refuge to a world that does not want them. Individuals in need who lack the understanding of love often obtain that warmth from those who will readily take advantage of those individuals’ need for affection; using the weary and down trodden for their personal gratification, and exploitation. Sadly the victimized will remain in ignorance and accept any form of love, even love masked with abuse.

At a scout camp I worked under a supervisor who was aware of the consequences of leaving someone feeling unwanted. He made efforts to make sure everyone on his staff felt like they belonged so they would not turn to other sources for a sense of belonging and false sense of affection. I admire him for this. At the time, regrettably, I was not as willing to take that challenge upon myself. Now I want to give others the understanding of love, for it is my belief that if we used the word as it should be, there would be less confusion and the love-deprived would find love’s true sources: a loving parent, a sibling, or a true friend. Likewise, those with an understanding of love would strive to embrace the needy. This is my wish, to revitalize a necessary awareness.

Love is an undying passion in many forms, not limited to romantic fever. True love can exist between friends, family, or anyone willing to accept others. My uncovering of love came through an occurrence with heartbreak. In contrast to what one may imagine, no upset in romantic involvement induced this affliction. Rather a separation from friends and family brought about the suffering. Isolation from loved ones, betrayal, or even a wayward child can produce various symptoms of a heavy heart. The only remedy is to be with others whom you love. The evidence of different forms of heartbreak provides the proof of varying forms of true love. Passion for friends and family can be just as strong as that of a new couple encircled by the flames of desire.

Along with assorted forms of love there are many levels of magnitude. Some may have a crumbling love that endangers a marriage, or friendship, while others is unfailing, strong as the roots of a great oak. The capacity one has for love also varies according to the individual. One can be open and accepting to all; this is ideal when one’s heart is sincerely open to all men and women. Unfortunately most of us limit our love to a select few. Exploration of the meaning of love must never end, and it is vital all have a basic comprehension of love and its many faces.

A lack of sincere affection for a person or a cause must not prevent us from partaking in the pleasure of love. We can grow love, as we choose, through nurturing it with service and practicing displays of affection. The elation that comes will be a gift worth treasuring. It is a mystery, in a world that is largely based around the material realm, how real the happiness can be when one works to serve and love his fellow man. Read now, Oscar Wilde’s fairytale, The Selfish Giant, in which Wilde depicts a giant when he comes to the realization that true love was found in allowing numerous children to play in his garden. Later, one morning, the giant wakes from his slumber to find a child alone under a tree with nail prints in the palms of his hands and on his feet. Outraged, the giant swore vengeance upon the vile beings that wounded the child whom he loved. However before the giant could turn to find his great sword, the child replied to the giant’s reaction saying:

Nay... but these are the wounds of Love... You let me play once in your garden, to-day you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise.

The giant once experienced the cold, misery of selfishness, but in return for his loving service he was able to experience the warmth of true happiness before laying down to die among the blossoms.

Being aware of love and how to obtain it provides the knowledge of happiness. This awareness is what I wish to give. Christ, in the form of a child, gave Wilde’s giant this same gift. However, one does not have to believe in Christ to gain this insight. As the season of giving approaches, try to reach out and serve those who have never entered the garden of paradise. A transformation will occur. The discovery of the true meaning of love and happiness will be made by the giver and the recipient.