The Gift on the Other Side

My life has taught me there is always a gift on the other side of grief, heartache, fear, and anxiety.  Whether it was experiencing the broken trust of a deep, long-lasting friendship, the fear of being laid off after just being married, the shock of being told I had a heart attack when I felt no symptoms, the anxiety and trepidation that comes with learning that your child may not survive...

It is not the illness or fear of grief that is the gift.  The blessing is moving through the experience and realizing that there is a core of something indestructible deep within us.  The moment we are transformed, we know that we are in the hands of the Divine.

Why We Teach

We teach so that we can change the world.  Each child who we influence is another ripple in the human change process.  

Teaching and learning is indispensable.  Teachers and learners are indispensable.  

The world changes as teachers and students evolve and grow.  The world changes as teaching and learning evolves and grows.  

The world does not change because of tests or test scores.  There are no final exams in life.  There are no standardized tests in life.  

We heal hearts.  We educate minds.  We empower dreams.  We change the world.

The Bigger 'Yes'

“To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence.  The frenzy of the activist neutralizes his or her work for peace.” – Thomas Merton

Every time I read this piece, I am humbled.  I am aware that even though I am blessed with Divine Grace, I only have two hands and one heart.  I am human and I can only do what I can do, and that’s enough.  I have often been caught in the trap of not wanting to say no.  I truly like to help.  I like how it makes you feel, and I like how it makes me feel.  I still need to be careful of those times when I say yes for your approval.  That is not healthy for me.  Sometimes saying NO is the greatest act of love.

Risk the Inner Journey

“You are that which you are seeking.” – Saint Francis

We must look inward.  Self-reflection is the road to self-awareness.  

When we are lonely, serving another helps us connect.  In service, we are never alone.  

When we are confused, we can become quiet and listen to the “still, small voice” that brings clarity of purpose.  

When we want respect, we need only offer respect to all those we interact with on a daily basis.  

We must be the behavior we wish to see in others.  We do not need to be self-confident or assured we only need to practice.  We only need to risk the inner journey.

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Unity

"In one atom are found all the elements of the earth; in one motion of the mind are found all the motions of existence; in one drop of water are found all the secrets of the endless oceans; in one aspect of you are found all the aspects of life.” – Kahlil Gibran

Beautiful writing.  We are each in a single atom.  We are each part of the earth.  In my mind, I am giving birth and I am dying.  I am creating and growing and I am letting go and saying goodbye.  I am in you; you are in me.  Unity.

I open and close my heart and mind countless times a day. 

The ongoing dance of balance between ego and spirit.