RE: "Tranquility" - It's good for us!
I can think of an experience. It was a few years ago, when the winter was cold and the snow covered the earth. There's a park near my apartment. There I went for a walk, dressed warmly with my son. It was in the morning, hardly any people on the way and the silence caused by the snow captivated me. While the snowflakes fell thick and round from above, he and I lay down flat on the ground. I felt all wrapped up and saw "millions of flakes trickling down to me very slowly. We breathed in the fresh air and gave ourselves to the beauty of winter. As soon as I lay there, I knew that this moment would remain forever in my memory. The tranquility that held me in its lap, the collection of the Spirit united everything else.
It's nice to have the opportunity to get this gem out of the treasure chest of events.
Good morning, @erh.germany.
Again, you have transported me into your memory :) So incredible how you captured the essence of that feeling with the snow....yes! There is a very special feeling after a fresh snow like a buffered silence that you can feel that is so comforting. I don't know why. You captured that feeling perfectly as well as the air and the trickling of snow - I am there! :) What a beautiful feeling and yes perfect example of tranquility.
I hope that you share more of these beautiful gems - you are an amazing, deep writer that has the ability to transfer feeling through your words.
Thank you. I felt very much inspired by you.
It's one thing to become touched by a piece of literature from a fictional story but another to hear a real life experience as you had it with your teacher.
It gave me hope and it showed me how important it is for children to witness the authenticity of adults. I wondered how many people actually experience something like this and in their memories an adult has truly taken the lead and, in being together with children, actually believed that he was giving something of great value. It makes me a little sad that both parents and teachers often feel a low self-esteem and are therefore not accepted as role models or receive a space in the feelings and thoughts of the children.
Your story is therefore for me once again an anchor for my own work with young adults and my conviction that what I have to give will only matter to these young people if I consider it the same way.
I recently had a conversation with a friend, whose resignation and anger that I just said this to him (everything you do or leave has a meaning) became clear. He does not believe that "normal" people make a difference in this world.
... Also, I even thought of showing your story to one of my sons teachers.
May I ask, where you are located?
Erika
So inspiring, Erika! There is no bigger compliment than hearing that you've inspired someone.
For sure, we ALL make a difference if we want to but I think it is in sharing what brings us joy - clearly this wasn't 'just a job' to this teacher. He had some amazing spark in his own soul otherwise it wouldn't have had the impact that it did. He was drawing on what makes his soul come alive. I would imagine someone else, some experience lit him up like that at some time in his own life. How many people 'know' what brings them joy and makes them feel alive? That's the key.
I think you might enjoy watching this (14min) video. It relates to this topic. Inspiring.
I can honestly and with quite a bit of experience to back it up say that 'everything has meaning' - EVERYTHING ;)
How wonderful that you work with young people - I wish you success in passing on inspiration, joy and creativity to them.
I live in the U.S. and at the time of that story, I lived in Maryland. Shortly after this period, we moved to the deep south where education was very bad. Very bad. If you are in 'education'......try to be that 'one' great teacher - it matters much.
:-) Sir Ken Robinson, I know him and call him the "education pope". I watched all videos on youtube and find him very articulate and to the point. His great sense of humor makes him a leading figure and I am happy that his words are wide spreading.
I always was responsible for the youngsters when the duty turned on my side. I took the people under my wings and was serious about teaching them what I learned in my work. I worked in the media branche as a PR-consultant but long have changed and now work as a social worker with singles and families.
Years later, I got complimented by one of them. He told me: "You always put so much love into your work and you explained everything so well to me. I want to thank you for that." Since then, I was certain about the impacts I had on those who I cared for. The devotion to my work transports to the ones I am engaging with and even without ever getting in touch again I know for sure that they will remember in the same way you remember your teacher.
Young people are full of gratitude to those who not only "deal" with them but truly see them. I know because I do have warm feelings towards those adults when I was young myself. They were not many but enough...
....
I want to thank you to give me inspiration. You made me translating a fiction and start to post it here. I hope, you are going to read it.
Sincere greetings from Hamburg. Enjoy your weekend.
Absolutely the greatest gift:
What we take with us....
Yes, indeed. That "One" adult that truly 'sees' that child makes all the difference. It gives them a message that they have value in this world and they will grow up and give value to others.
Sincerest greetings from the U.S. and I do hope you enjoy your weekend as well :)