Teaching

        In some way we are all teachers. With our actions and our words we may teach a negative or positive lesson. We may teach a lesson as we walk down the street by the expression of our physical body or the expression on our face. We may do some small act that impresses another or causes a passerby to think. Most people think that to teach you have to be standing in front of someone and talking and instructing. We go to different people to learn. We go to classes, to conferences, we listen and learn, and we practice what we want to learn to reach certain goals. Sometimes the most important lessons are the silent ones, those times when a person's manner or grace teaches us by example. Also, sometimes there are lessons that cannot be described but are no less important than factual ones. A person's laughter may lift our spirit and cause us to treasure the beauty of a laugh. A small action of kindness can change and soften the receiver. So many times we are unaware that we teach others just by our being. As you come to understand this, it can make us more aware of others and more observant. We can see lessons in people's patterns of behavior and we can learn from them. We can see mistakes and avoid them. We can also be our own teacher. Within each of us is a teacher. This teacher speaks with silent words, but can speak volumes. This teacher can instruct if we listen well enough. Sometimes it is difficult to know what the words and the instructions are, but we can learn to listen so that we are able to follow the guidance which is there for us.

        If someone has taught you a lesson you think is valuable and they don't know it, tell them. It is always encouraging to hear that we have helped another person. Learn from those around you. Learn from your environment. Learn from your animal friends. Learn and grow as you listen and observe. As you do so, you will become a better teacher and a better student of life.