head of school
TODD B. BLAND
Quiet the Mind Reflect, Forgive, Love I am often asked if I have a favorite building
a moment in which the world is free from
on campus. The answer is easy: the Apthorp
the noise and distraction we associate with
Memorial Chapel. I love the building’s
everyday life: “Outside, there was that
aesthetic, its beautifully unfussy neo-Gothic
predawn kind of clarity, where the momentum
style. Its facade stirs impressions of both
of living has not quite captured the day. The
church and castle; it speaks to me as a deeply
air was not filled with conversation or thought
spiritual and powerful edifice. The interior
bubbles or laughter or sidelong glances.
is exquisite in its simplicity: the stained glass
Everyone was sleeping, all of their ideas and
window, the wooden pews, and the memorial
hopes and hidden agendas entangled in the
plaques on the walls.
dream world, leaving this world clear and
One of those plaques, located on the wall to the right on the approach to the altar, features a plain wooden panel inscribed with
crisp and cold as a bottle of milk in the fridge.” In 2019, the ability to break away from that “momentum of living” requires resolve:
a name, dates, and a sailboat. The name
Sometimes, we are gifted these moments
is James Edward Bland ’58, my father, who
in late nights, early mornings, and in nature,
passed away in 1974 when I was a young
but most of the time, we must deliberately
child. The chapel is the only place where my
make space for them. In our hyper-connected
father is memorialized, and for decades I
world, these moments are increasingly rare
have visited this special place to reflect in
and precious. And yet, they provide such
the stillness and give my full attention to
important opportunities to check in not only
his memory.
with ourselves, but with others.
I believe that there are few things more
I think often of Merritt Levitan, Milton
important than finding ways every day
Class of 2013. Shortly after she graduated,
to quiet your mind, whether it’s by visiting
Merritt was bicycling across the country when
a peaceful place like a chapel, exercising,
she was tragically hit and killed by a distracted
meditating, or engaging in any number of
driver. Merritt’s legacy lives on at Milton
practices that allow us to be fully present
and in the movement her parents and
with our thoughts. My own practice includes
classmates founded in her honor: TextLess
exercising and taking the time to feel gratitude,
Live More. This campaign, which has reached
forgiveness, and hope. These moments
thousands of people nationwide, aims to
may not always produce calm and happiness
end distracted driving. At Milton, TextLess
for us. In reflection, we may ask ourselves
Live More has affected our students in
tough questions. We may confront turbulent
incredible ways: They not only pledge to drive
seemingly infinite resources in the palms of our
thoughts, feel deep emotions, and cope with
without distraction; they commit to dedicating
hands. Yet these same resources can also be
our struggles, including the grief we feel
time without their devices. To spending
a harmful distraction, producing an artificial
for the loss of loved ones. The aim should be
time outdoors, playing tennis or lawn games
connectedness that blinds us to reality and to
not to forget or ignore our troubles but to
on the Quad. To being present, for their
the people right in front of us. Taking the time
understand, to love, and to forgive ourselves
own well-being and for the strength of their
to seek quiet moments of reflection—to look
fully, absent judgment or filter.
relationships with one another.
up from our screens now and then—reminds
In his novel The Collected Works of T.S. Spivet,
The breakneck speed of technological
us of the indispensable and irreplicable power
Milton alumnus Reif Larsen ’98, who served as
advances in our society is astonishing. We can
of connecting in real time with ourselves and
our Commencement speaker in 2011, describes
work with people all over the world and hold
one another.
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