Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Everyone is a teacher

Reminder to self – Everyone is a teacher.


As a group facilitator, I often have the privilege of being taught by my students. During a day of reconnecting to creativity through restoration and rejuvenation, I invited participants to select an image to introduce themselves. The images were as varied as the people around our circle, but my teacher of the day presented in the form of a sprite of a woman, weighing no more than 90 pounds fully clothed and soaking wet. Well into her 80's with hair of spun silver, she wore a bright scarlet dress accessorized with a huge medical collar strapped around her neck.

With twinkling eyes, she held in her hand, a photo of a rugged snow-capped mountain with soaring peaks. Out of her mouth came the words, "I am one who explores the trails." Incongruous as it might seem for this frail woman to make such an unflinching statement, no one who witnessed this scene doubted her. In fact, I could actually envision her roaming that mighty mountain as she shared deeply from her heart, her memory, and even her future. With her words, her stature grew and she became the towering mountain. I could see all dreams come true - hers, mine, and the world's. It was a glorious moment.

To live fully is to believe in dreams, unflinching truth and living our heart's desire. Today’s teacher demonstrated all of those wrapped in a petite package of wisdom. May we each learn from her example.


Consider today:


· What is your heart's desire?

· What trails do you hope to travel this year?

· What would it mean to speak the truth out of your deepest desires?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I LOVE your fierce trail crone. I find the same as you when I run Enneagram courses - the teaching is entirely reciprocal, and often in very deep ways.

roxanne s. sukhan said...

Oh, I love this post, particularly the image of that lady wearing a scarlet dress!

Gabrielle said...

I recently came across a place online called Dream University, with Marcia (oh dear, now I can't remember her last name; it starts with "S", I think, but you could google Dream University). You might like it; it's quite inspiring!