It is hard to write this last blog summarizing my experience and where I have been..
As I have been looking at the past blogs through the semester.. I must say WOW.. where was I and where I am heading are two different things. I see, how limited my thinking was. How I had visions that were tied down with tradition, perceptions, oppression, thoughts and many more things. As I have been thinking all day of what to write and listening to one of my favorite songs I ponder on the path I have taken this semester and the choices I made. Some of the things I have learned :
This is my second motto for the semester. No matter what people say, no matter what you think, never ever give up on someone. You would be amazed at the outcome of people whom others don't give up on them. I remember a story an inspirational story about a teacher who never gave up on a boy and how little gestures had turned his life around. When I find it on youtube i'll add it to the blog.
life is an obscure box, we only get to see the wrapping of one's life, and most of the time, this wrapping is chosen by the person him/her self. No matter what the color of the wrapping is, we will never know the true nature of the person from the inside. thus, I advise that we take time out of our busy schedules and really look deeper into people.
Letting go was hard for me to do because I am an organizer, i like things planned out. When I let go, i learned a lot. I learned that priorities are more important than deadlines. I learned that treasured time should not be cut short. I learned that things will get done no matter how much you stress for them to get done.
Well I cannot say that the following is a poem but merely a scribble of thought...that describes the journey I have fathomed. You have to understand, i write free-verse, with no punctuation so everyone can understand it they way they want :)
the map of life has been torn
its colors have faded
the paper turned yellow
and the edges are wrinkled
many parts have holes
due to its many folds
many scribbles have been written
notes, names, love letters
is the new life being written
or does this one need tape
do we get one map per life
or do we get spares
or are all of them simply extensions
from the one big thing
i have no answer to give
nor a vision for what's coming
but what i have is much more
a faith a believe a hope
a wish for a better tomorrow
improvement innovation creativity
a strength for change
a wit for knowledge
and most importantly
a big heart for love
Yes, I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know that at the end of every dark tunnel there is light and with every fall there is victory. One of my favorite inspirational videos of all time is of Derek Redmond. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ9Lek6HMOw
I learn that when I fall I can always get up and finish my race. Nothing can hinder me from finishing my race if i just believe.
Caroline, Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts, ideas, photos, poems, and inspiring moments with us through your blogs. I just read through all of your posts and wish that there was a like button for me to click for the responses you made to each one. Outstanding reflective efforts. Good to know that reflection IS a big part of your life. Finally, you shared a moment in history in this you tube video. I remember that I was looking at these games live and cried during this event. How touching! But what does it say to us about our roles as parents or our roles as teachers or our responsibility to ourselves to do something when there is no reward? Thanks for sharing your heart.
ReplyDeleteI believe our roles as parents, teachers, mentors is to love unconditionally. Do not pick favorites, give all you have. Understand that each one is different, do not generalize. We should simply guide and support but the path is chosen by the person him/her self. We only cheer from the sideline until we are needed, then we lend our support and help the goal be reached. But in the end we have to remember that sometimes, even if it hurts, we have to let go.
ReplyDeletethe reward! now that is a controversial word. the reward is inward satisfaction that the person in front of me is happy, successful, healthy and shining. Tangible rewards are endless, but those hugs, smiles, high fives are priceless. That is what counts. I am no dreamer, but you could say, i experienced both rewards, and the latter is the one that tucked on my heart strings.
peace out!