[Come summer heat, much of my blogging momentum melts away. Hence an experiment until Labor Day: fifty minimalist posts about whatever.]
The September 1985 Yale Convocation was the first I attended as a Yale parent and the last at which Bart Giamatti, then President of the University, spoke.
He told the incoming freshmen he hoped the four years ahead would inspire commitment to a lifetime of learning.
He observed there was a difference between being involved in learning and committed to it.
He said, “In ham and eggs, the chicken is involved, but the pig is committed.”
I don’t know about my son, the new freshman. Myself, I’ve never forgotten what Giamatti said. Whenever someone asks me to commit to something, I think about the pig and the ham.
It helps clarify what’s important.
[Re-blogged from January 6, 2014]
ON BEING OLD 
Succinct and to the point! I am on the verge of becoming committed!
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To what, Barbara?
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To tie up a lot of ends. Try to achieve something rather than letting things slide. Time will tell. I’ll let you know when it’s done Nina, thanks for asking!
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You’re welcome. And good luck!
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This is brilliant, I’m going to see if these old brain cells can commit enough to remember that.
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I’m sure you can if I can, Hilary!
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What a great line. Have to remember that one. ☺ Thanks, Nina.
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It is a keeper, isn’t it? 🙂
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It is, I need to record it somewhere. ☺
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Nina, it is indeed a keeper. I don’t like ham, but I want to be a pig! Committed to writing! Christine
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Way to go, Christine! Oink?
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Definitely! Oink, Oink back!
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