Back to School

This is the week that most children will start back to school. I have the deepest respect for the job that teachers do and for all of their hard work.

Most of us, who have 35-40 hour per week jobs, have no idea the hours that teachers work. Yes, most teachers are able to take some time off in the summertime, but they also use this time for continuing education and learning new skills for the classroom. Teachers spend hours preparing for class, teaching in the classroom, talking with parents and helping students outside the classroom. They spend time looking for the right word, the right book, the right picture or the right song that will inspire the child to the greatness that lies within them. Do you realize the commitment that it takes to be a teacher? I do not think we do. The really great teachers never read the story, they tell the story and that takes practice and more practice. The story is a metaphor for learning. The songs they sing to our children have to be memorized and practiced.

The word education comes from the Latin word educere. This means to draw out from within or to bring out something. It is not about memorizing more facts and figures. I believe the knowledge and the wisdom is within us already. The teacher brings forth the knowledge and wisdom that is within us and shows us how to express it. So it takes a lot of work to bring out the greatness and uniqueness in every child, especially when the world that they live in everyday is all about conformity and sameness.

The results we experience in life are an expression of our awareness. How do we expand our awareness? Through effective education, mentoring and coaching.

So this week, take a moment and say thank you to a teacher. Tell them that you appreciate all that they do to make a difference in the lives of children. One of my favorite teachers who I have great respect and admiration for her work is Ms. Shannon, who is the early childhood kindergarten teacher at the Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School, in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School: Faculty. If you read about her work at the website, you will understand why she is a teacher. Today, Labor Day, she is in her classroom preparing and rehearsing for the week so that her students receive the best. That is commitment.

Decision and Committment

I wanted to continue my theme on decision and discuss another part of decision and that is commitment. If we do really want change, we need to be committed. We need to say to ourselves, “I will do whatever it takes to accomplish my goal, no matter what” We need to give up something of a lower value to achieve something of a higher value. In A Course in Miracles it says that “Miracles come from conviction”

I think one of the best pieces I have ever read on commitment is from W. H. Murray discussing his expedition to the summit of Mt. Everest. He says: “Until one is committed there’s hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative, and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s concepts: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, Begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

So what do you really want? Sit quietly and ask yourself the question “What do I really want” Let it come to the surface of your consciousness. Then make a decision to go for what you want and take the first step. Then and only then will you see the miracle.