One-Dimensional Existence

The other night Dave and I were at In-N-Out. We were discussing life. So much of my life is consumed by work. He gave me a piece of advice. "You can only redline for so long... then you're gonna crash. You'll wish you had listened and taken time to rest. Don't become one-dimensional."

That is one of the greatest dangers for new teachers in California. With all the stuff we carry, it is easy to let our work define us. This is not healthy. Our primary existence is spiritual; we are spiritual beings first. Our secondary role as teachers is mental; we train the mind. To place the mind before the spirit is backwards; it frustrates the very instincts that enable us to teach.

I am not a teacher because I am smart. Many smart people are terrible teachers. I am a teacher because I am responsible, literally, "response-able." When a child's need comes before me, I can anticipate and respond to meet that need. Part of that is training; part of that is instinctive. My most effective responses come from my spirit, not from my mind. The spirit is where relationship lives, the love and trust that are the bridge to convey knowledge. Without that bridge, I'm simply driving knowledge trucks into the river of forgetfulness. The kids will not learn without that spirit connection.