I am extremely thankful for all of the teachers out there. At the end of the day, this thankfulness can probably encompass all of us. Does anyone go through life without teaching, either yourself or others, and either directly or indirectly? Learning from your own mistakes; listening to others; all moments of teaching. The beauty is that growth becomes possible as a result. Once we figure something out, we can change course. We see what can be different in our lane. Without teachers, we do not know what is possible.
The role of a teacher is to introduce you to your inner teacher.
-Loch Kelly
Teachable moments yielding potential growth exist everywhere. Are you actively paying attention? Are you waiting and watching for opportunities, or are you simply surviving, going through the motions? When did you last consider a different approach? What goals do you have for personal growth? Who is your favorite teacher? What lesson or nugget of wisdom from them can you chew on again to work on as a new goal if you need help?
History is a strange teacher. It never repeats itself exactly, but you ignore its general lessons at your peril.
-Madeleine Albright
You are the gatekeeper to your own growth. Are you prepared to proceed down that path? If you have not tended to it recently, then maybe it is overgrown and difficult to navigate. One careful, conscious step at a time, though, will reveal that there is nothing to fear but only to rediscover. Teachers can show you to your own gate, but, from there, your development, growth, and improvement are all up to you. Will you move forward or stay stuck? Do you choose static stagnation or gradual growth? What teaching rings true?
The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of [their] wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.
-Khalil Gibran
Teachers see the potential in populations.
Do you see your own potential?
I do, and I believe in you.
Whether we experience what happens to us as obstacle and enemy or as teacher and friend depends entirely on our perception of reality. It depends on our relationship with ourselves.
-Pema Chödrön
How is your relationship with yourself right now?
Are you working on self-improvement to grow,
focusing on self-acceptance and self-compassion?
Heeded my words not, did you?
-Yoda, GOAT (Greatest1 Of All [Fictional] Teachers)
Pass on what you have learned. Strength. Mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is. Luke, we are what they grow beyond.
Find the way. Your best display. Grow today.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.
- arguably perhaps :) ↩︎