Yevet Tenney

In the last few articles, I have focused on “burning boats” at the beginning of marriage, leaving no escape routes. I have written about burning boats and building new ones. There is one more sealer that must be put on new boats to keep them floating in the turbulent waters of adversity where every marriage must float.

My last few articles have been about marriage and how it is important in the beginning to “burn the boats” as Hernán Cortés did in the early 1500s. He did not leave his men with any possible escape. They must take the Aztec city that was filled with treasure and return in the boats of the enemy or die trying.

This is the third article I have written comparing marriage to Hernán Cortés’ conquest of an impregnable Aztec city. His battle plan was unique: “burn the boats,” not giving himself or his army a path for retreat. It was a matter of win or die. They would conquer and return home in their enemies’ boats or they would be carrion for the buzzards.

Recently, I wrote an article where I cited Hernán Cortés’ conquest and success when he and 600 men conquered an Aztec city. His strategy was simple: “Burn the boats,” not giving himself or his army a path for retreat. It was a matter of victory or death. They would conquer and return home in their enemies’ boats or they would be carrion for the buzzards.

Back in the ancient days of my youth, when I thought the answer to most of my problems would be a couple million dollars, I heard a motivational speaker tell the story of Hernán Cortés.

As I have taught school for many years and raised 11 children in the school system, I have seen many programs come and go. Educators are always looking for a new way to help children learn.