Enthusiasm and Diligence

from Dictionary.com

Word History: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm," said the very quotable Ralph Waldo Emerson, who also said, "Everywhere the history of religion betrays a tendency to enthusiasm." These two uses of the word enthusiasm—one positive and one negative—both derive from its source in Greek. Enthusiasm first appeared in English in 1603 with the meaning "possession by a god." The source of the word is the Greek enthousiasmos, which ultimately comes from the adjective entheos, "having the god within," formed from en, "in, within," and theos, "god." Over time the meaning of enthusiasm became extended to "rapturous inspiration like that caused by a god" to "an overly confident or delusory belief that one is inspired by God," to "ill-regulated religious fervor, religious extremism," and eventually to the familiar sense "craze, excitement, strong liking for something." Now one can have an enthusiasm for almost anything, from water skiing to fast food, without religion entering into it at all.

This coming week the children and I will be learning about the letter Ee. Each week I try to include a positive character trait in our learning. This week is enthusiasm. I found the above piece of information very interesting. I want to teach the children to do whatever it is they do with enthusiasm, meaning I want their obedience to be enthusiastic. I don't necessarily want them to LOVE everything they are told to do, but I want them to do it with enthusiasm. By doing this, the job will become fun. My daughter, K, has a natural tendency toward this already.

I need to learn enthusiasm too. My friend, T-L, is enthusiastic about most things. I love that about her. She motivates me with that enthusiasm.

Last week was diligence. I was learning diligence right along with the kids. It has been fun learning these traits and characteristics with them; makes me more accountable.