Everyday I have new teachers. Some days it is a spontaneous five year old exploring new ways of interacting with the world. Some days it’s a seasoned friend sharing a burden of her heart and trusting me to help hold space with her. And some days – like today – it is a new friend who shares a confidence and I bolt out in her defense too quickly. All are teachers.
There has been a few who invite, implore or demand I look again, differently or deeper. The garden and trees in particular have much to share. And Bella, my kelpie dog is the epitome of Joy.
This is really funny, I was just talking about how much I loved my teacher and I got this prompt. My senior year teacher that I was a TA for. I struggled a lot with my academic and personal life and i told her a lot about it and she helped me get through it and defended me. I have been meaning to catch up and talk to her again, I guess I will do it now.
Too many teachers to name. Life itself … Grateful for all here, the journey, and another day to keep showing up, practicing and learning …
Grateful today for much needed rain! Our trees are turning stunning shades of red, orange, yellow, in spite of a recent drought in our Pacific rainforest climate. One local community is on severe restrictions with diminishing reserves of water. Reflecting on practices around water use and management stepping into this day …
I have a 6 year old son with autism who has taught me about patience and acceptance; he does things in his own way and in his own time, and it took a lot of work for me to be ok with that. He makes me a better person daily. 💛
My new cat Rudi is my current teacher, as I try to figure out how to keep us both as happy as possible: 1. make my peace with a bit of gentle nipping; 2. give him plenty of time out in the condo hall – encourage him to get some exercise there and get lots of steps on my pedometer too; 3. don’t let his attempts to nip me prevent me from carrying him into our condo when I want; etc 🙂
Honestly, the most important and consistent lessons I’ve learned, have been from observing or experiencing what NOT to do and how I don’t want behave. However, there are and have been people in my life that I would like to emulate. I did have a couple of teachers in junior high school that had an impact on me. One was a history teacher that taught me to question my assumptions and how to think critically. The other was a photography teacher that taught me about composition, lighting, and how to look at the world through a lens. I use their lessons and hear their voices every day.
Kindness, my mentor of 27 years (RIP) and my son and daughter all immediately come to mind. I’m thankful for my ability to read and the many authors who I’ve never had the privilege to meet but whose words have challenged me and helped me grow. My personal experience–the school of hard knocks– has taught me that I must always remember that I have not walked in another person’s moccasins. Knowledge and knowing are not always the same thing. The principles of Toltec and 12-step have also aided me on my human sojourn.
Beautiful Carol. Thank you! ‘knowledge and knowing are not always the same thing’. Yes! 🙂 In university I stumbled on the book ‘Women’s Ways of knowing – The development of Self, voice and mind’. It was published in 1986. I still refer to it on occasion. The four writers interviewed women from all walks about their journey to find an inner self and voice. They frame the journey through silence, listening to the voices of others, hearing and finding our inner voice, questing for self, and with time integrating voices. Such a journey!
I also appreciate your reference to Toltec wisdom and the 12 step path. So many wise guides in our world when / as we are ready and willing! Also, as Antoinette expresses so beautifully, the letting go …
Hi KC, It took me many, many, many years to find my voice but I have and that’s a good thing because I’m not a spring chicken! Did some research on the book you mentioned. Quite interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Emotions, experiences, practices, and being fully engaged in the present are essential factors in my continual unfolding and awakening. However, I would be egoic if I didn’t acknowledge the Divine doing business as so many I’ve been blessed with whom to engage. Some of my teachers are long-term relationships (parents, children, my first yoga teacher, and Swami J). Some are also people I’ve had casual encounters with, but they bring wisdom when you least expect it. All of this is grace.
Most of the important teachers in my life were the negative emotions I felt as a child. Growing up my therapist taught me how to use them to heal myself (may the Universe bless her soul!) and I’m still learning, because it takes time, patience and self-compassion.
There are also positive emotions and I want to concentrate myself on them, but the first thought always goes to my traumas – maybe it happens because I’m trying to heal them.
It was when I realized that one of the fundamental purposes of our time here was to learn and teach that I became more readily open and available to what I often refer to as the Magnificent Now. For the first time in my life I knew faith; that this moment, whatever it was, contained exactly what the conscious and reciprocal nature of universe intended for me to understand if I could remain coachable.
My two dogs. They remind me that everyone will always be loved by someone, even if its just a pet. Coming home at the end of the day and feeling their unconditional love makes life easier because without love what do we really have?
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Life has been an important teacher in life and my faith mostly but also important love ones that help guide me with challenges.
Everyday I have new teachers. Some days it is a spontaneous five year old exploring new ways of interacting with the world. Some days it’s a seasoned friend sharing a burden of her heart and trusting me to help hold space with her. And some days – like today – it is a new friend who shares a confidence and I bolt out in her defense too quickly. All are teachers.
The occasions I take to look back on my life, have been my best teacher!
I can see how all things work together to create the now!
There has been a few who invite, implore or demand I look again, differently or deeper. The garden and trees in particular have much to share. And Bella, my kelpie dog is the epitome of Joy.
This is really funny, I was just talking about how much I loved my teacher and I got this prompt. My senior year teacher that I was a TA for. I struggled a lot with my academic and personal life and i told her a lot about it and she helped me get through it and defended me. I have been meaning to catch up and talk to her again, I guess I will do it now.
Too many teachers to name. Life itself … Grateful for all here, the journey, and another day to keep showing up, practicing and learning …
Grateful today for much needed rain! Our trees are turning stunning shades of red, orange, yellow, in spite of a recent drought in our Pacific rainforest climate. One local community is on severe restrictions with diminishing reserves of water. Reflecting on practices around water use and management stepping into this day …
I have a 6 year old son with autism who has taught me about patience and acceptance; he does things in his own way and in his own time, and it took a lot of work for me to be ok with that. He makes me a better person daily. 💛
My new cat Rudi is my current teacher, as I try to figure out how to keep us both as happy as possible: 1. make my peace with a bit of gentle nipping; 2. give him plenty of time out in the condo hall – encourage him to get some exercise there and get lots of steps on my pedometer too; 3. don’t let his attempts to nip me prevent me from carrying him into our condo when I want; etc 🙂
I forgot to mention my cats. They teach me love without control.
Honestly, the most important and consistent lessons I’ve learned, have been from observing or experiencing what NOT to do and how I don’t want behave. However, there are and have been people in my life that I would like to emulate. I did have a couple of teachers in junior high school that had an impact on me. One was a history teacher that taught me to question my assumptions and how to think critically. The other was a photography teacher that taught me about composition, lighting, and how to look at the world through a lens. I use their lessons and hear their voices every day.
Kindness, my mentor of 27 years (RIP) and my son and daughter all immediately come to mind. I’m thankful for my ability to read and the many authors who I’ve never had the privilege to meet but whose words have challenged me and helped me grow. My personal experience–the school of hard knocks– has taught me that I must always remember that I have not walked in another person’s moccasins. Knowledge and knowing are not always the same thing. The principles of Toltec and 12-step have also aided me on my human sojourn.
Beautiful Carol. Thank you! ‘knowledge and knowing are not always the same thing’. Yes! 🙂 In university I stumbled on the book ‘Women’s Ways of knowing – The development of Self, voice and mind’. It was published in 1986. I still refer to it on occasion. The four writers interviewed women from all walks about their journey to find an inner self and voice. They frame the journey through silence, listening to the voices of others, hearing and finding our inner voice, questing for self, and with time integrating voices. Such a journey!
I also appreciate your reference to Toltec wisdom and the 12 step path. So many wise guides in our world when / as we are ready and willing! Also, as Antoinette expresses so beautifully, the letting go …
Hi KC, It took me many, many, many years to find my voice but I have and that’s a good thing because I’m not a spring chicken! Did some research on the book you mentioned. Quite interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Emotions, experiences, practices, and being fully engaged in the present are essential factors in my continual unfolding and awakening. However, I would be egoic if I didn’t acknowledge the Divine doing business as so many I’ve been blessed with whom to engage. Some of my teachers are long-term relationships (parents, children, my first yoga teacher, and Swami J). Some are also people I’ve had casual encounters with, but they bring wisdom when you least expect it. All of this is grace.
Most of the important teachers in my life were the negative emotions I felt as a child. Growing up my therapist taught me how to use them to heal myself (may the Universe bless her soul!) and I’m still learning, because it takes time, patience and self-compassion.
There are also positive emotions and I want to concentrate myself on them, but the first thought always goes to my traumas – maybe it happens because I’m trying to heal them.
my guru and all other spiritual leaders and seekers, from many different religious callings
It was when I realized that one of the fundamental purposes of our time here was to learn and teach that I became more readily open and available to what I often refer to as the Magnificent Now. For the first time in my life I knew faith; that this moment, whatever it was, contained exactly what the conscious and reciprocal nature of universe intended for me to understand if I could remain coachable.
My two dogs. They remind me that everyone will always be loved by someone, even if its just a pet. Coming home at the end of the day and feeling their unconditional love makes life easier because without love what do we really have?