TEACHERS

Who are our Teachers? 

My Dear, Loving Parents

Our teachers come in many forms. Our parents are our first educators. We are instructed in early life lessons. 

Our school teachers and staff tutor us in academics.

Books are a great source of learning. There are many brilliant teachers in our reading materials. 

The Endless List of Teachers

Teachers can come in the shape of mentors, coaches, counselors, trainers, advisors, consultants, and our very own intuition. 

Our distant relatives, neighbors, acquaintances, and community uncles and aunts.

Our coworkers, employees, boss, business, and professional personnel.

People we meet on the streets, at events, occasions and any chance encounter.

And our close friends and our family, our mates, and our children can be instrumental in schooling us.

A Lifelong Process

As we climb the ladder of life we continue to learn each stage of the way. For learning is a lifelong process.

The universe can be instrumental in teaching us. Sometimes we learn lessons through being 'kicked upstairs'. That is learning lessons the hard way. 

If we are not in tune with our higher selves, we run the risk of being 'corrected'.

However, the benevolent universe is always self-correcting us.

We are taught through constructive criticism. 

Our experiences teach us valuable lessons. So too, our mistakes.

The Most Important Lesson

However, the most important lesson we learn is to be teachable all throughout our lives. When we believe we know it all, we cease to grow.

Having an open mind, being careful, and doing our due diligence utilizing research, can greatly aid our growth and enlightenment.

Final Thoughts

So to grow and develop at any age is to be malleable, to listen, and to be humble.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann ©1927