{Keeping} :: My Commonplace

After seeing repeated references to "my Commonplace" pop up throughout the AO Forum and various blog posts, 
I found myself perplexed. 

What in the world are they talking about?!?

I don't remember if I googled the term or if someone finally alluded to Laurie Bestvater's The Living Page, but eventually I was caught up to date with the rest of the Charlotte Mason society of homeschoolers.

I had heard many accolades for the book, and it was in my Just for Me wish list on Amazon for awhile. I eventually transferred it to my shopping cart and bought it, so now I am reading through the pages slowly and becoming more aware of how important keeping is, and how much it contributes to the learning process.

There are all sorts of options to choose from and add into a full education; however, I decided to start with the most general: 

the Commonplace.

So what in the world am I talking about?!?

A Commonplace book is basically an empty journal that you fill with striking thoughts, quotes, poems, Bible passages, etc.

 It is very general in its focus.

The definition of commonplace from an online dictionary:

• pertaining or belonging equally to an entire community, nation, or culture; public
• joint; united
• widespread; general; ordinary
• of frequent occurrence; usual; familiar

Pretty much whatever you come across in your daily life!

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So when a crafty friend of mine passed along a Pin on how to make and bind your own book, I thought, "Hey, perfect timing!" 

So I made my Commonplace book!

My first page's entries include quotes from David Hicks (Norms & Nobility), which I have never read; however, he is quoted in Laurie Bestvater's The Living Page; Charlotte Mason, and Laurie Bestvater herself.

David Hicks' words are my first quote of my Commonplace, and, I think, very appropriate to what education is:

The purpose of education is not the assimilation of facts or the retention of information,

 but the habituation of the mind and body to will and act in accordance with what one knows.

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Yesterday's entry is from Isaiah 50:10-11 ... a passage our pastor preached on. It really speaks to me in regards to walking by faith and surrendering our desire to control to the Lord, 

even when it seems our lives are taking routes away from where we feel God has called us.

Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys the word of his servant?
Let him who walks in the dark,
who has no light,
trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God.
But now, all you who light fires
and provide yourselves with flaming torches,
go, walk in the light of your fires
and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:
You will lie down in torment.