The View From Here

I’m sitting here wondering what in the world am I going to blog about this week?   I’ve had several ideas come to mind, but nothing just stood out.  I thought about trying to use this new list of sentences that you’re supposed to use when you’re trying to encourage someone to succeed…

You can do better.

Give it all you’ve got.
I’m so proud of you.
How can I help?
I’m here if you need me.
I’m glad you’re here.

But everything I came up with just didn’t seem to be the right thing to say or I couldn’t say it in the way that sounded like it fit.  So I tossed it out….LOL!  Actually, it’s in my note file and I’ll use it later.

However, I have had this one thought going over and over in the back of my head that Donna and I were discussing a few weeks ago.  I wrote it down and labeled it “The View from Here” because that’s basically what it described.  The view from where we were at the time and it was an unbelievable view. 

As you walk the path of life, sometimes that path can be really rough.  At times you might think you’re never going to make it through, but somehow you do.  The thing that Donna and I were discussing was a comment she made concerning our life.  She said, “As you travel the road of life and you look over your shoulder, you don’t always see the beautiful brooks and the fields of clover.  You don’t see the beautiful things you want to see.  You actually see the rocks and the hills; you see the valleys and the cliffs that you’ve had to walk through and hang over.  It’s when you look from a distance at what you’ve been through and over come and realize that what you see isn’t the rough roads and the rocky ledges, but a beautiful mountain with a breathtaking view of what God has allowed you to walk through, together”.

The thing that sticks out the most is the fact that we look over our shoulder instead of turning around to look at what we’ve just come through.  Looking over the shoulder only gives you a view of the closest thing to you.  It doesn’t give you a good look at everything.  If you can’t see the beauty of the path and all you can see is the danger, you’re not going to appreciate the path…you’ll regret it. 

We’ve all heard to leave the past in the past and we should.  But at the same time we’ve got to learn from it.  We’ve got to understand that not everything about the past was unpleasant.  There were some beautiful brooks and some peaceful fields that allowed us a place to relax.  At times we were able to walk down paths covered with huge trees that provided protection from rain and sometimes the hot sun.  Not everything was a cliff and steep hills of rough, sharp rock. 

So the next time you feel like life is too rough and you need a little encouragement…stop, turn around and look at what God has allowed you to face.  What you’ll see is a breathtaking view of waterfalls and snow capped mountains.  Seeing that will make you feel like you can overcome anything because you’ve come through and over everything.  You’ll realize that the view from here is actually uplifting, encouraging and will give you the strength to keep pressing forward.  Ain’t God good? 

Just my thoughts on a page.

It May Be Old, But It's Dependable

I was recently reviewing some pictures in my phone and came across one I took back in June during our visit to Picayune.  It’s a picture of an old bridge we use to cross when we walked to school.  The bridge is about 40 feet long and stretches out over a small creek.  Crossing over it at the age of 42 brought back a lot of great memories from my youth.  Plus it gave me a chance to tell a few stories to my kids.  It was really a great moment that I’ll never forget. 

As I looked at the picture I realized that someone had enough courage, determination and wisdom to build this bridge.  Someone had the right idea of helping the children attending Roseland Park Elementary School get there a little safer. 

That bridge is still standing and crossable today.  My boys and I walked across it and played on it, we even read some of the names that are carved into the railing.  But when we approached the bridge initially we were careful.  At first I wouldn’t let them on it.  I wanted to make sure that the wood wasn’t rotten or the boards weren’t loose.  I wanted to make sure the bridge was safe to cross.  After I crossed it and completed a thorough inspection, I called for Connor and Collin to come to me.  At first the boys were a little skeptical about crossing.  They were careful about where they stepped and how they placed their weight on the boards, but after the first few steps and seeing me comfortably walking back and forth, they begin to loosen up and enjoy the time on the bridge. 

My point with this is we all have areas of our life that we’re uncomfortable with crossing.  We each have things that we’re afraid to cross and wonder how in the world are we going to handle it?  Well, someone has already been down that road and built a bridge.  Someone has already understood what it’s going to take to overcome the smelly, muddy, nasty creek and provided the means to cross it safely and comfortably.  

The problem is we look at the bridge and don’t want to cross because it’s old.  We think it’s unstable and undependable so we start looking for other ways.  We start trying to find a “new” way to cross an old problem.  This in itself brings more stress and anxiety into our lives.  We bring more problems into our life all because we don’t want to trust the way someone has already provided.  True, the bridge looks old; that’s because it is.  It’s been used for many years by many people; it’s been tried and tested and it still stands.  There may be a board that’s loose or a nail sticking up, but it’s still the safest way to cross. 

The next time you have an old issue crop up in your life and you don’t know how you’re going to get across it, remember there is a bridge that you can use that’s been tried and tested over many years.  Trust it.

Just my thoughts on a page.

Legend...Become A Great One!

This blog is being dedicated to teachers.

August is here and the return to the classroom is just around the corner.  As I reflected over missing my 25^th high school reunion, I began remembering many of the teachers that I had in high school.  I remembered the way they taught and some of the techniques used to gain our attention or to help us remember certain formulas.  Some I remembered by how they sounded when they taught; while others I remembered their silence.  I remembered how some looked and presented themselves as professionals, while others just presented themselves.  I remembered some would sing to us and others would read to us.  Some would instruct, while others sat at the desk as we entertained ourselves.  Floods of memories entered my mind and many of the thoughts were positive and encouraging. The greatest and most important thing is that I remembered the teachers who had the greatest impact on my life. 

I consider many of my junior high and high school teachers to be legendary teachers.  Why, you may ask.  The main reason is they did something amazing…they continued to teach.  They continued to push forward and give all that they had to the students in the classroom.  In spite of the long hours involved in preparing and in spite of the minimal salary, they continued to direct, inspire, encourage and most of all, TEACH students.  To me that’s just one characteristic of a legend; to push through any obstacle that may present itself and be victorious and successful. 

In my opinion, remembering a teacher and how he or she made a lasting positive impression on you is an honor to that teacher.  To be impressed means to be affected deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; to influence in opinion.  There were several teachers that did just that in my life.  They affected me deeply and had great influence in the direction of my life. 

I want teachers today to know that you’re making a difference in the lives of students.  You’re impressing upon them to be and do better, to learn and become educated.  You’re instructing them to be successful not only in the classroom, but in life as well.

Your efforts in the classroom will allow students to grow in ways that he/she could have never imagined.  If YOU don’t show them how to push and encourage themselves to overcome obstacles or to figure out a solution through creative measures, they may never achieve success in life. 

You’re being an inspiration to the students by finding new ways to explain an old process, by being creative in the way you teach.  You’re leaving an impression, a mark so to speak, and a piece of yourself in a student’s life that will never go away.  For instance, when you bring the guitar to school and sing songs just to make English Lit fun, or when you smile and go over that Algebra formula four more times until they finally get it, your students are learning that consistency and patience can help solve even bigger problems in life.  Many students come from unloving and uncaring homes.  The next time you stop and listen to a student’s problems, they learn that there are others who really do care.  All of these actions are leaving lasting impressions that will never go away.  You’re becoming more than just a teacher at this point; you’re becoming an everlasting memory.

I mentioned earlier one characteristic of a legend, but what really makes a legend? What makes Muhammad Ali a legend?  Is it because he’s a three time World Heavyweight Champion with his boxing stats of 61 fights with 56 wins, 37 with a TKO?  What made “The Champ” a legend?  Was it his political stand and support of the Muslim faith?  The answer is, both.  His actions are why you remember him. 

What about the legends of the NFL such as running back greats like Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders and Walter Payton?  All three have tremendous records and great stats, but how did they get those statistics?  Hard work and ability is what got them noticed…dedication to the game is what made them a legend. 

In my eyes, there are legends that had nothing to do with sports.  People like Erin Gruwell who turned a group of troubled kids into more than anyone, including themselves, thought they would ever be.  She inspired them by being creative in her methods, and today many of her students are teachers because of the impression she left on them. 

But the question still stands.  What made Ali, Sanders, and Gruwell all legends?  Each one did something spectacular.  Each one, although different, had some of the same qualities and characteristics.  They each took a risk, they each had a personal interest in the cause set before them, they each had a connection with the audience; whether it was the fans in the stadium or the kids in the classroom.  Each one put in the hard work and dedication to see dreams fulfilled in not only their lives, but in the lives of those around them. 

Each one of you has the qualities of the aforementioned legends.  You’re each a risk taker, dedicated, you’re educated and inspiring with the methods you use in the classroom.   Each one of you may have students sitting in front of you this year that will one day sit at a computer and blog about the great things they remember about the teachers in their life.

Legends…each of you are capable of becoming one.  The question is will you put forth the effort it takes to be a remembered as a great one? 

Just my thoughts on a page to a group of MASTER TEACHERS!