Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Search for Purpose. Search for purpose is the title of a book by Arthur Morgan, A self taught engineer and later president of Antioch College in Ohio. Morgan thus later followed Horace Mann, the enlightened first Antioch president. Under Morgan a work-study program--the Coop Program-- was established, Where students had to combine academics with real-world jobs. At any rate, the book describes that purpose is discovered and created, And that one needs to plan, always having several life pathways ready, In case a first choice is not feasible to accomplish. My choices were careers in music, religion, or biological sciences. Religion dropped to a study of interest only, While music was greatly fulfilled with my orchestral pursuits, But the study, learning and fascination in biology won out. Slowly, this evolved into field biology, conservation, and related small farming. After much thought and anguish, what I have done is now there and manifested: An educational, experimental small farm, working with children, A successful educational land trust, Protecting open space which harbors native flora and fauna, And a writing attempt to teach, provoke thought and preserve my thoughts in life. I guess my deep and most important activity, including the present, Is to always stimulate thought in others to question and understand Why we are here in our condition and to relate ourselves to human and natural history. It has been a challenging, but fruitful sojourn during this one-time experience. Frank Maurer 24 November 2024 1050 Hours.