Words can have as much effect as actions, regardless of what has been said to the contrary. Staff member Sarah Teal recently led a peer discussion with peers on “Words of Wisdom” and provided some food for thought to peers and staff alike.

After asking peers to submit topics for discussion, Sarah led the group in reviewing a total of 24 well-known sayings. They included such words of advice as the following:

• n  Honesty is the best policy.
• n  People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
• n  Live and let live.
• n  Loose lips sink ships.
• n  The grass always looks greener on the other side.
• n  Live one day at a time.

After all 24 sayings were reviewed, peers were asked to vote on their favorite saying. The winner: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – also known as the Golden Rule.

Sarah also introduced a display set up like a game board to provide a creative approach to learning. Much like the TV favorite Wheel of Fortune, the display provided blank lines to be filled in with guessed letters.

“I wanted to have additional input from the class as we added another saying to the morning group,” Sarah explained. As peers suggested letters, a final saying was completed. Peer Jeffrey Bryant guessed the solution: “Every cloud has a silver lining.”

“I wanted to end my session with this saying,” Sarah said. “It is very thought provoking to me, and I hope they can realize what it means.”

Once again, a dedicated staff member demonstrated that adult learning can be fun as well as instructive. Thanks, Sarah!

In the photo above, Perry Wellness Center staff member Sarah Teal fills in a game board as her class completes a final Words of Wisdom entry for the morning.