Now, if that were REALLY true I would be teaching math!
I'll spare you my math 'tales-of-woe' at least for the time
being.
What I'm talking about are the 'lessons behind the lessons';
the life skills that apply to just about everyone regardless
of the subject. And the people you think you are trying to
teach are really a mirror for yourself.
Lately I've been noticing some of my students struggling
with less than winning attitudes. Our conversations usually
go something like this:
Me: "Whoa, what exactly are you trying to accomplish here?"
Student: "I'd like to pass this level and do well on my
exam."
Me: "Define doing well. What score would you be getting if
you did well?"
Student: "I guess anything over 85% would be pretty good."
Me: "How would you feel if you got 85% or better?"
Student: "Wow! I'd be really happy about that!"
Me: "And how are you feeling about your studies right now?"
Student: "Gosh, it's kinda hard and I'm getting really
frustrated. Sometimes I don't think I'll ever get this
stuff."
Me: "Would you say you're happy right now?"
Student (very sarcastically): "You're joking, aren't you?"
This leads to a discussion of the importance of practicing
the FEELINGS of the desired results as much, if not more,
than the actual subject itself. I tell my students that if
they can imagine themselves being happy with a certain
result, then they absolutely MUST study with that happy
attitude. In other words, BE HAPPY NOW!
Happiness isn't the result of something. Happiness is a
state of being and it's always a matter of choice.
Furthermore, what you have and share with others MULTIPLIES
in your life.
Day after day, for the past month or so I've been having
these chats with my students. Then just the other day I
stopped and asked myself, "Do you hear what you are saying?
Don't you get it? Practice what you preach!"
You see, I haven't been very happy with the way a few things
have been going in my life. Merely thinking of these
situations could start my blood boiling. Of course, the
more I focused on these things, the faster my life would
spiral downward. My misery wasn't just adding up... it was
MULTIPLYING!
This isn't something new. I've often caught myself teaching
some important principle that I most needed myself.
Now you may not define your role in life as a 'teacher'.
But I'll bet there are situations that continue to come up
for you over and over again. Usually, it's something about
SOMEONE ELSE that bothers you. You may feel a strong urge
to 'help' or 'correct' that person.
Before you do, ask yourself if your 'advice' might best be
applied to you! If it is true that we teach what we need to
learn, then become your own best student.