Metaphysics Monday (Belated): Why Metaphysics

“Image courtesy of Serge Bertasius / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”

This is a post to those who are currently studying metaphysics (through the School of Metaphysics).

Why do you study metaphysics?  Why do you keep coming to every week?

Do you remember where you were before you started classes, who you thought you were?  Were you looking for something, as I was?

I know who I thought I was.  I secretly didn’t like or value myself much.  I believed I was an insecure,  selfish, wish-washy, shy woman who was slow-to-warm up and had broken with her spiritual foundation.  I had an interest in the world beyond the physical, but I wasn’t sure how to explore it.  I liked talking about my dreams but didn’t know what they meant.  I wanted to meditate, but I couldn’t sit still.  I believed I had a terrible memory and maybe some form of ADD.

Now, a year later, I am still learning who I am — that is my life’s journey to discover it!  But I already know that I am something special and that I love people!  I have reconnected with my spirituality, and I have begun to explore the world beyond our consciousness.  I still struggle to be still, but I’ve meditated for a full half-hour now, and I don’t lose things as much — or else I find them pretty quickly.  I love intuitive reports, and I love studying dreams. I’m a better listener, I am more present, and I am more giving.

What if I’d never had this experience?  I lived in Bolingbrook most of my life and never knew of the school.  As it was, I didn’t find out about the school through a student.  My life coach — very intuitive herself — googled “metaphysics” and suggested the school to me.

There are others like me, like you, who’ve wanted to know.  There are others who are looking, too.  And they would rather hear about it from you, from someone who has experienced the course yourself.  Is this a pie-in-the-sky easy learning experience?  We know it’s not!  I’ve wanted to quit multiple times — as maybe you have, too.  But I wanted to grow; I wanted to learn; and I’ve grown stronger as I’ve surpassed each limitation.

I’m starting the next class in on Tuesday, July 22nd, and I’m looking for those who are searching as I was.  I’m looking for those who seek unconditional love and who want to be self-empowered — not dependent on any person, place, or thing for peace, contentment, and security.

Please hold the image of the lighthouse in your mind, remember what you were once searching for, and reflect on what you’ve found.  Stay open and radiate the love that is within you.  Let others know that we love them just as they are and that the doors are open to receive.

I love you all. ❤

Beautiful Teacher

“Yellow Rose” courtesy of artur84 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I would like to give a “shout out” to my beautiful, wonderful sister today.  She asked me to come visit her classroom for the last day of her school year to play some clarinet for the students and to bring the ice cream. 🙂

Being a teacher is a very difficult job, a job that is not for me.  But it is clearly for my sister.  The love and work she puts into her profession is clear if you visit her classroom or hear her talk about her day.  Her students really understand that her class is a “family”, and it was amazing to see many of the students crying today, even students that have been a challenge throughout the year.  Why are they crying?  Because they know they have experienced love.  To be in her classroom is to know love.  She loves them and shows them how to love each other. She is their protector, their comforter, their motivator, and their cheerleader.  Her students are blessed to have her.  Congratulations to my sister and her wonderful class.  I hope they continue to find happiness, success, and love for the rest of their lives.

Why My Students Are Not, and Will Never Be, My Children

Someone once told me at a workshop, or in some other sort of “Rah! Rah! Be a great teacher!” situation, that you have to treat your students as if they were your own children. I think this is a ridiculous suggestion. I will never be able to do that. This is why:

1. I will never be her real parents, and I would never presume to take that position away from her parents.

2. I can’t tell her that she had better not talk to an adult or other student in a disrespectful way or (insert other problem behavior here)  or she will lose her favorite privileges, such as time with friends, time at the movies, etc.

3. I can’t read to her every night before bed and read with her by my side — me in my big rocker, and her in her mini-rocker.

4. I can’t make sure her homework is done, that she’s reading and studying a bit every night.

5. I can’t show her how much I love to read and write (I don’t want it to  look like I’m slacking off at work!)

6. I can’t keep an eye on what she does at night and make sure I know her friends and where she goes in the evening.

7. I can’t make sure the TV stays turned off and the videogame system is hidden (or doesn’t exist!).

8. I can’t take her for a bike ride or a walk with the dog.  I can’t play board games and card games with her every night.

9. I can’t take her to parks, museums, shows, or take her with me on vacations and traveling.

10. I can’t talk about her day during dinner and rub her back when it’s been a bad one.

11. . I can’t show her the importance of recycling.  (Only paper is recycled at the school.)

12. I can’t make sure she lives in an environment that is limited in chemicals, using natural cleaners and limiting plastics.

13. I can’t make sure she has a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner and forbid her to eat school lunch or breakfast. I can’t make sure she takes her daily vitamins and gets daily fresh air and exercise. I can’t discourage her from drinking milk (lactose and antibiotics, and RBGH!) and juice (synthetic sugars, such as sucralose) – the only two beverages offered by the school, unless she buys water.

14. I will not be able to encourage her not to say the pledge of allegiance and tell her why. I can’t encourage her to pursue her own interests during the day, at her own pace, at her own schedule. I wouldn’t feel comfortable telling her not to trust the government and corporations because they are interconnected and shouldn’t be. I can’t share my political feelings at all.

15. She will never know and adore my cats and dog, nor my boyfriend, my sister, my mom, my dad, and my grandparents.

16. She will never see me cry, will never see me at my very worst, nor see me at my very best.

17. I can’t talk about how I live with my partner.

18. I can’t talk about sex, what it is, what it can mean to a person, when to have it, and how to safe.

19. I will never be able to tell her that I am perfectly fine with her being gay and that it doesn’t matter what religion she chooses or whether she picks a religion at all, because really, all religions and spirituality are leading to the same place.

20. I will never be able to be affectionate in the way that I would want to be with my own children. In this day of “don’t touch” and “leave the door open” and “never be alone with a child”, can you imagine me, a teacher, making up a student’s hair? Giving a student a great big hug and kiss any chance I got (let alone once), holding the student against me and telling her that she is wonderful and the best thing that has ever happened to me and that I love her more than all the world, no matter what could possibly happen?

21. I will never be able to tell my student that she is perfect, just the way she is, and that it doesn’t matter what grades she gets, what she gets on state tests, and whether or not she goes to college, as long as she is happy and at peace with herself and the world.

Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Valentines to My Students

I’m making some cards for my students for Valentine’s Day. Since I needed to put some thought into them, I decided to hit two birds with one Cupid’s arrow and share it on my blog. Names will not be shared, so I’ve just completed the thoughts in bullet form:

• Thank you for all of your help this year. You’re always ready to fix or take care of anything that’s needed, and you’ve been such a patient helper to those who need help. You’re always smiling, and you’re the last to leave. It brightens my day to hear you say “Have a good day, Ms. Karl” or “Have a good weekend.” You’re reading is improving so much! And you’re math is going awesome! I know you always work so hard in everything you do, and I want you to know that I notice and appreciate everything you have accomplished this year. Finally, keep up the great work you are doing on your writing. Maybe you’ll be a speech-writer, or president someday!

 

•  What a transformation you’ve made this year! You are really blossoming. You’re doing such a great job of being respectful, responsible, and safe. You are trying very hard to stay focused and do your best, and I want you to know that I see it. I appreciate your effort! Thank you for your beautiful smile every morning and your helpfulness every day. Your reading and writing have really improved, and I love seeing you get excited about it! You are a beautiful, smart young lady, and you are perfect, just as you are. Remember that! And don’t let anyone ever tell you anything different!

 

• Thank you for all of your effort this year, especially in class and on your homework. You are such a responsible student! I don’t know if you know it, but you are doing a fantastic job in English. I knew you were strong in Spanish, and soon your English will be as strong! I hope you are able to keep both languages and use them in whatever job you choose. Also, I want you to know how much I appreciate your patience and helpfulness with other students. Sometimes I think you are more patient than I am! Your skills will help you in any career you choose!

 

• I can’t believe how far you’ve gotten this year! You are doing such an amazing job, especially in reading and writing! I know that many things have been hard for you, starting in a new country and in English. However, you are working so hard and doing great! Thank you for all your effort in class and in your homework, raising your hand all of the time to give answers and to tell me you need help understanding something. Thank you for your smile every day and for your good attitude. Even when class is frustrating, you do your best. I’m so glad you’re in my class!

 

• I am so glad I’ve had you in my class this year. I have seen a great change in you, and I want you to know that I noticed! I really appreciate the effort that you are showing in Math and how you’re really trying to understand better in class. You tell me when you’re not getting something, so that I or another teacher can help you out. I also enjoy the stories that you share with me about what’s going on with your family or what you did over the weekend. You are a very smart young man, and I know that once you find your career, you’ll go far!

 

• I want to thank you for all of the effort you have made this year. I know it is sometimes very hard for you to stay focused and still, but I also know that you are trying your best! Thank you for your fantastic smile every day and your sweet helpfulness. I am so glad to have you in my class. Thank you also for the book connections you share with me. I love when you show me a book and that you get as excited about books as I do! You are such a smart young man. I know that you are going to find an awesome career and go so far! Keep up the focus and hard work!

 

• You are making so much progress this year! I love the new energy that you’ve had and the effort you make in class. Your spelling is improving, your math is improving, and your reading is improving! I know that if you practice every day, you will be right at the top, no problem! Thank you for doing your best and letting me know when you need some extra support. It’s been great seeing you during class AND tutoring so that I get to see your progress twice! Thank you also for sometimes being a messenger for your sweet sister, and getting her pictures to me. You are such a gentle, loving older brother, and your kindness will be a great asset in whatever career you choose!

 

• You’ve really been coming along this year! I like how hard you’re working in math, and no matter what you say, I know you can be a great teacher! Keep up the hard work in reading and writing. Some of the things you say and write are amazing! Thank you for giving your best and for how responsible and respectful you have been.

 

• I don’t get to see you for very long, but I’ve enjoyed having you in my class sometimes for science, and I enjoy seeing your smiling face in the morning. Thank you for our talk that we had the other day, and I know things are going to go great for you. You are a really smart student, and with focus, you’ll go far!

 

• You are really coming along this year! I only wish I could hear you better! I love the creativity of your writing ideas and the thoughts you’ve shared about reading. Your fluency is fantastic, and you are getting better and better in all of your work. Thank you for sharing your love of science with me! I love when you show me a new book that you’ve checked out. Keep up the hard work, and remember that you have awesome things to say that we all want to hear! P.S. Thank you for the beautiful picture you drew for me. I would love another picture before the end of the year. I can’t wait to see you be a famous artist someday!

 

• I don’t get to see you for very long, but I’m glad I get to see you during “Power Hour”. I can tell you’re a very hard worker, and I’ve enjoyed what you’ve done in class. Keep up the superstar grades and awesome effort. I can’t believe how far you’ve gone, you’re heading toward the stars!

 

• I feel like I don’t see you much anymore, but I’m glad to have you for “Power Hour.” Great job on all of your hard work in your classes. Your grades were amazing last quarter! You’re really maturing into a wonderful young lady, and I know you’ll do awesome in whatever you do. Just remember to speak up and share that intelligence of yours with the world!

 

• You are really blossoming this year! I love your writing and the ideas you’ve been sharing during reading. And 100% on your last ISAT Practice Test – Wowza! Amazing! Your dedication in class and on homework is fantastic. It will get you far in whatever career you choose! P.S. I know you said before that you didn’t like math, but your hard work is paying off in Math, too. Keep it up!

 

• You have really been working hard this year. Your ideas and insight during guided reading are fantastic, and you do well and work hard in everything you do. Thank you for volunteering in class and being a great example of dedication and responsibility. I know that you can anything you put your mind to!

 

• What a fantastic job you’ve been doing this year! I can’t believe you came here, knowing hardly any English, and how much you can read, write, speak, and understand now!! Look how many levels you’ve gained in guided reading! Look at what you’ve been doing during writing! It’s truly amazing. You are such a strong, intelligent young woman, who does well and works hard in everything you do, and I know you will reach your dreams.

 

• You are doing such an awesome job this quarter! I am so amazed by how hard you’ve been working and how focused you are. Look at how you’re grades have been going up! You are truly a great example of what hard work can accomplish. Thank you for all of your efforts. I know you’re going to keep shooting up for the rest of the year!

 

• Sometimes you will say things that just make me smile. 🙂 I don’t know if you realize it, but you have quite an intelligent humor! And the best part is that you can be funny and make me chuckle, but not disrupt the class! Maybe you should look into being a comedian or a humorist! It’s been great having you in class. Thank you for your work, and I’d like to hear more from you!

 

• You are quite the young man. When I talk with you, I feel like I’m talking with an adult! I can’t believe how much you know and how well your mind works. You ask questions and make comments that every student should! And now, even better, I am starting to be able to read your writing! You have such great things to say, and it will be fantastic when you will be able to share it with the world.. You are going to do great things with your life, and I can’t wait to find out about them!

 

• You are really blossoming this year; I can see it! I am amazed by how much you are growing in your math, your reading, and your writing. I feel like you were this quiet mouse who is slowly becoming a beautiful tiger. I’m so glad that you are in my class this year, and I’m so glad that you are speaking up and sharing your great ideas now. Keep up the great effort, and I know you’ll be able to do anything!

 

• You are an amazing, beautiful person. I have never known anyone like you, and I know I never will. Your strength in all that you’ve been through is more than many adults have. I hope you get to meet your prince charming (Jacob) someday and that you’ll have a very healthy many, many years. I love the thoughts you share out loud and in your writing, and the questions you ask. You really think about things and don’t just accept them, and that is very important in this world. You will make a fantastic scientist, and I hope to read your published reports some day!

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