Where Does Stenning Come From?
Twenty-Seven Years of Chaos and
Confusion
|
 "Two
roads diverged in the woods and I,
I took the one less traveled by
and that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost
Ever since George and Kay decided to name their
third born child 'Stenning,' he's been repeating it and spelling it to
countless non-believers over time throughout the world. (Except to
restaurant reservations and related nuisances when "Karl,"
Stenning's middle name, will do... and save about twenty minutes.)
But what exactly is a 'Stenning?' Where does it
come from, what does it do, who interacts with it, and where has it been?
All these questions and more hope to be answered in the following history
pages. And if YOU have anecdotes, pictures, or other such contributions,
please let me know and I'll be happy to include them, if not a cheap and
simple way to get your mug up on the net! ;)
Family stories, growing up, thoughts, events, and
lessons learned...
Europe, Barrington, Northwestern, Lincoln Park...
Friends, family, loved ones... |
1
Steve, Steph and me striking an oh-so natural pose in
Steve's apartment late last fall.
The following is an essay I wrote for one of
my college applications during the Fall of 1991. I have not changed anything
since the original version other than putting in a few of the photos &
captions...
What idea has most influenced my life?
Openness is more than a idea to me; it is the way I conduct my
affairs. It includes many different aspects that unite to help me achieve
happiness, such as communication, the capability to share oneself, relaxation,
and genuine love of life. At any given time one of these aspects acts as a
guideline for my intellectual and social life. I have been told a number of
times that I just didn’t seem happy. This was true - I wasn’t. Although to
claim that I have now achieved perpetual happiness would be foolish, I can
claim that I am on a path towards personal satisfaction with my life. The key
towards this feeling is that I have been the one who has laid the path. I don’t
want something other than my own conscience to write my path, for knowledge is
achieved only through experience, not passiveness.
©SS
Communication with my friends and teachers allows me to
learn from their wisdom, insight, and conflicting opinions. I maintain an open
mind which leads me in many directions. We discuss colleges, our treacherous
college application essays, school classes, women, the existence of God,
economics, skiing, physics, fast cars, relativity, and Freud. "Are you
o.k.?" "Call me - I’m here if you need me." The lack of
communication is the cause of many problems because solutions cannot be
developed without mutual communication. Without interaction, man becomes a
thoughtless animal incapable of acquiring knowledge.
Becoming close friends with others by being able to share my
personal thoughts is a great help in being at peace with myself. My friends
know my secrets, faults, and strengths. They know me well. The bonds that form
go far beyond any materialistic value, for happiness is the result of feeling,
not of wealth. We help and taunt; counsel and debate; amuse and abuse; and
congratulate and make fun of each other. I couldn’t live without it. There
comes a point when self-reliance doesn’t do it anymore. When I reach that
point, I rely on my friends. That’s life.
Life can be hell. Deadlines. Homework. College applications.
Jobs. Little sleep... Stress. Putting most of my joie de vie in writing is
difficult, but when I was in eight grade I was in Robert Frost’s woods. I
saw the two roads diverge... and I took the one less traveled by. I thought a
great deal and came to a simple conclusion: Life is what you make it. I
battled the animal called stress and learned to relax. I want to enjoy life so
I don’t let the little things bother me anymore. I notice people who get
overly concerned by trivial events, and I can sense that they are struggling
for freedom from themselves yet they don’t know how to find it. I think I
have. One simple word I’ve told myself and my friends many times. Tell me
about it. Let it out - I’m your friend. "Relax."
Only after one develops these openness techniques will he be
able to appreciate and genuinely love life. Life is precious. such a cliche;
yet to me it’s more than a Hallmark card. A smile is priceless and a
"Thanks, Stenning" can make a cloudy day turn sunny. There are
millions of people out there. I do whatever possible to help them in any way I
can because I know that I too need help sometimes. It is comforting to know
that there are caring people out there for me. They are open.
There is so much to life that it is a shame when souls don’t
take advantage of their own choices. If they would only open themselves to new
ideas, others, the world, and, most importantly, their own conscience.
Openness is freedom. Freedom is life, opportunity, and love. And, in the words
of the Who, who put it best: "I’m free, I’m free, and I’m waiting
for you to follow me."
2
Spring Break skiing Freshman year with Chan Stowell in Utah.
Friends from my summer at the CNA Consulting Group.
Under construction
**All photographs (unless otherwise noted) are
the property of Stenning Schueppert and may not be distributed or circulated for
any purposes (personal or commercial) without his express written consent.
Questions or comments regarding selected photographs are, of course, welcome.
1: Photo taken by Erica's sister, Autumn 1997. 2: Photo by Chan
Stowell. Created 5/98; Last updated January 23, 2002; v1.8.
