A Source of Inspiration
on Moni Brar (Malawi), 31/Mar/2011 16:19, 34 days ago
I met up with a friend a couple of nights ago. He's a brilliant chemistry professor and wonderful conversationalist.He's not brilliant just because he has a PhD, is a leading-edge chemist, and knows what the phrase "liquid chromatography-based bioanalytical techniques to probe bioinorganic chemistry-related mechanisms that take place in the mammalian bloodstream" actually means - but also because he's extremely inquisitive and curious about life. Every single time I sit down and talk with him, I leave the conversation with a freshly-shaken view of the world around me. I love that.Our last conversation covered many topics - from recent budgetary decisions made by the federal government and their devastating effects on research at Canadian universities, to the fabulous cheeses of Spain, to a 25-year-old rock lobster in a basement laboratory in Australia, to the near-absence of inspiration in education. We spent some time discussing the importance and absence of inspiration in academia, education, teaching and learning. This lead to a discussion of inspirational quotes.Over the years, I've found several quotes to be a great source of inspiration. One of my favourites, I have framed at the entrance of my home:"Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you." - SartreYes, it's a bit dark, but it reminds me of where I've come from and where I strive to be.At one point in my life, when I was struggling with forgiveness (both extending it and graciously accepting it), I'd look daily at this quote:"Forgiveness is the scent that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." - Mark TwainSo, over coffee the other night, my friend spoke of his admiration forSantiago Ramón y Cajal. Don't be embarrassed if you don't know who he is - I admit, I didn't either. Cajal is someone weshouldall know. He was the father of modern neuroscience, a Nobel laureate and a man ahead of the times.My friend shared a quote he recently came upon when reading Cajal's biography. It's become my new favourite quote:"It is strange to see how the populace...disdains the world around it ascommonplace, monotonous and prosaic, without suspecting that at bottom itis all secret, mystery, and marvel."Now doesn't that give you a lot to think about? I'm going to carry this quote with me in Vietnam and use it to reflect upon the secret, mystery and marvel that I am sure will surround me.What's your favourite quote? Please share with me in theCommentssection below...I would love to hear from you.