Meeting in the Middle!

Have you ever had the amazing opportunity to work with your mentor?  Your guru? Or, your master teacher?  As a professional? I had a recent conversation with a retired teacher- friend who is now regularly emailing her former high school English teacher.  They have met in the middle, so to speak.

It reminds me of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story called The Curious Life of Benjamin Button.  He and his destined lover only had those precious years when they were the same age and on the same playing field because he was aging backwards as she was getting older.  The movie from 2008 was well-cast with Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson.

I had two such sainted experiences when I met my high school freshman English teacher on the city bus some years back. She had moved on to become the English Department Chairwoman at one of the city colleges.  I was happy to share that I had taken her lead and had also taught English on the high school and college levels.  She was pleased to hear it!

Years hence, I received a one-year Lectureship at my college alma mater.  To my astonishment, my former English professor was still working on campus and had also become the Department Chairman.  We had a hearty chat and though he probably did not remember me, he was still impressed that we had become colleagues.  We too had met in the middle!

I am always gladdened and amazed when I run into my former students who are doing well and have made good choices.  It does the heart good to know that seeds tenderly sown produce bountiful and beautiful fruit.

Teachers teach but, they can still be taught.  This certainly holds true when they are able to witness the fruits of their labor.   Buddha said, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”  But let’s reverse that and say, “When the teacher is ready, the student appears!!

Lynn M.                                                                                         May 25, 2019

 

 

 

Thank A Teacher!

“If you can read this, thank a teacher.”

How many times have you seen this phrase?  Did you stop and immediately remember one of your primary school teachers?  It is a catchy phrase that will make you pause and realize that without the patience and expertise of a teacher, your life would be much harder.   You would not be able to recognize those words that are printed everywhere you look!

If your life is decidedly improved and fruit is falling all around, again thank a teacher.  Probably the books that you have read have contributed to your glorious windfalls.  As you bend down to scoop up your bounty, think of terms that you have learned like the fruits of your labor or it works if you work it.

You can think of helpful words written by some guru or spiritual teacher.  Silently give thanks for all of the encouragement, anecdotes to negativity and upward leadings that helped you move closer to your movable feast.  Your first teachers taught you how to  decode, pronounce, comprehend, apply  and ultimately read those sainted words.

You moved on into adulthood and you read with greater ease.  You practiced and read, read and read.  Then, you began to search for some answers to life’s mysteries.  You leaned on your spiritual teachers for guidance.  Their words helped to straighten out your thinking like a newly pressed  dress lying on an ironing board.

You continually read, studied, highlighted and wrote notes in the margins. The creases in your brow became less crinkled. Your facial wrinkles evaporated as understanding increased and then bunches of grapes appeared representing light. New fruit and fresh greenery emerged as the harvest rolled into view.

You sighed and took a reflective pause. Then you counted your blessings.  As you gather your gold, you should graciously thank your teachers!

Lynn M.                                                                                       March 4, 2018