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pgreen 
1:39pm, October 23, 2009
I had a wonderful experience this week. I give/teach a class every 2 weeks on "Life after Birth".
I have been teaching this on going class for almost a year now and do find it so gratifying and mutually enriching as the teacher , a good teacher, learns most from their students ! Most weeks I know everyone enjoys the class and I do see the results as my students attitudes and perceptions have grown and matured. Everybody gets involved in the dynamics of the class and I just allow the "flow" to flow for the hour and a half. I pray that I can provide illumination for those who need answers to their personal questions and issues. My belief is that God speaks through me and I really never follow any standard format or lesson plans.
The point is that this week; one of my students shared a great story. He works in the banking industry and has a real Alpha male ,type A personality as his boss. Well, as the world is spiralling and the economy becomes more destabilized; the boss seems to becoming unglued as his need for "control" and his identity becomes destabilized too !
It was this week that my student choose to share one of our lessons with him . Many time we speak about what makes us as humans happy? The essential answer is that"people and relationships" not things or materialism provide true happiness. For in the deeper issue of existential happiness lies the questions of " do we matter" and do our lives make a difference at all.
So, as my student was dropping this question on his boss, he watched a transformation take place in front of his eyes. Some people may call it a revelation or a " moment of truth".
Since then , this "boss" has almost changed and has started becalmed more tolerable and just letting go of his wants for what are his needs.
The point of all my ramblings is that, my student shared that I have made a great difference in his life and he now shares with others his appreciation and helps spread what he considers "light to help dispel darkness". Since I retired almost a year ago, I miss the daily encounters with my clients. I miss helping and impacting others. I miss being able to freely without any language impediments ( here I have to speak pigeon spanish). communicate and get verbal feedback. Perhaps the message I heard this week is that I still transmit and help. People do matter and where ever I will go the opportunity will be there. My growth comes through the challenge; yet the results will always be the same if the heart is straight.
Maybe in this case the teacher must become the student to realize that " the classroom of life is never closed for retirement or vacations".
Love you all and thanks for being a part of my life.......
Phil
Comments
Nice story thank you for sharing.
marylouwho
Phil, God speaks through all of us, if we will listen. Doing what feels right and natural is always good, it shows that is what is intended. The language barrier may offer the opportunity to help others in different ways now. Perhaps as one door closes another opens. I always suggest that people become still and listen for signs, they are there.
God is great.
Paindora
Your story made me want to start my teaching again Phil..it is wonderful to be able to share thoughts, feelings and knowledge in a spontaneous way. Like you, Melvyn and I never used lesson plans etc...This is a wondeful story of 'connection'...and how our words and energy can spread to others and ultimately change lives. It is a very responsible role to teach..and it sounds like you are a brilliant and thoughtful teacher...
Diana..
twilightmoon
What an satisying experience! "People and relationships" not "things and materialism" are what it is all about. xxxooo
dkay
As im sitting thinking about my own sinus misery of the past few days,i am also learning along this road of life.So much is needed to learn,as well as to teach.It's a never ending glorious ride thru life,thank God for teachers such as YOU>>>Namaste Tu Hermana
WahiyaShamanwolf
Phil - Once again your words are eloquent and the honest and caring nature you exhibit comes shining through in the words you so graciously share with us. We "humans" tend to get caught up in the material world all too often and it is good to see that another "human" has seen the light of "people and relationships".
It is heartwarming to see that you are able to continue to learn .. the teacher learning from the student .. for if we are truly, truly blessed in life we keep our minds open and continue to learn .. always.
Try to remember that one never knows when a word, a hug, a touch or some small thing we do in kindness can be the "one thing" that makes a difference in the life of another. If a very kind man had not extended his friendship and a (((hug))) to me, as well as some thought provoking quotes, I would never have lost the weight I lost. To this day he believes I give him too much credit .. but I alone know what a profound affect he had on my life. As you helped this student .. and he pays it forward .. that is the true gift of our relationships .. to keep helping others.
May you find peace and happiness and continue to touch the lives of those around you. Many thanks ..
Ranae
heartgirl
I just read nice tidbit in Beyond Fear, the Teachings of Don Miguel Ruiz.
It is the love that comes from you rather than the love that comes to you that makes you happy.
MAK1AH