The Random Thoughts of Louis Schmier

I’m still thinking about the tone of accomplishment, self-satisfaction, and peace of mind in Katie’s voice. I can still see her gleaming eyes and beaming smile as she spoke to me on the telephone. She deserves it. I want you all to know that she is a winner. . True, she only had a “C” [...]

Got a call early this morning, real early. Luckily my angelic Susan was already fluttering about getting ready for the lobster party we were co-hosting tonight. “Hey, Schmier. This is Katie. Finally!” Oh, did I know that voice. “Kinda early isn’t it?” “Oh, you’ve been up for hours. I bet you’ve already walked.” “Just got [...]

There are times I love one particular one syllable four letter word. It can be so to the point. It’s so short and last so long. It’s so quick to say and yet means so much. In one staccato breath, you have lasting impact. With this one word you can speak proverbial volumes. I used [...]

You never know. That’s why in Judaism there is no such thing as a small mitzvah. What we think is insignificant can swell up to have great consequences. A couple of weeks ago, that was brought home to me by a message from a student, whom I remembered, thanking me for something I don’t remember [...]

 Yes, a mitzvah is a potent teaching tool. For if Thich Nhat Hanh, Martin Seligman, Deepak Chopra, Jon Kabat-Zin, Jack Kornfield, Parker Palmer, Daniel Goleman, Peter Senge, I, and a host of others whom I’ve mention over time are right when we say in various ways that we teach who we are, then, students likewise [...]

 As this semester comes to an end and I face a summer hiatus from teaching, I have to admit that I will miss it all. I love being on my campus. I love walking it. I love the students. I love to chit chat with the cleaning crews, maintenance people, grounds keepers, campus police, secretaries, [...]