You Are My Teacher

I am finding it appropriate (as any good, little, holiday observer would do) on these days leading up to this “Day We Are Thankful”, to bring into awareness my own reasons for appreciation this year.

I am reflecting on the vast concept of gratitude in a more specific-kinda-way.

The stream of consciousness I am experiencing is whispering,

“I am thankful that…

You are my teacher.”

And just who exactly are you?

You are the one who is wise, loving, generous, and patient; overflowing with abundant goodness and compassion towards others, and our Earth. You are the one who inspires me to no end to follow in your footsteps, and make a difference in this world.

It is in you that I see those things that I know are also present inside of myself; those very qualities that I strive to cultivate and expand in my life.

Nice thought.

But wait, sometimes…

You are that person that I would rather not deal with at all, because of your arrogance, anger, egoism, ignorance, elitism, or any other undesirable -ance or -ism that you may, or may not, even realize you are exuding.

It is you who appears to me in the most clever of disguises.

And, if I am truly heeding and recognizing your lesson, dear teacher, I am also learning to spot these same elements in myself- displayed shamelessly for me, by you.

So you see now,You are my teacher.

You show up in many ways.

YOU have revealed my gifts, when I I was unable to see them.

YOU  have humbled me, when I thought I was great.

YOU have burst my heart open, allowing me to experience even greater depths of love the next time around.

YOU  have been the most revealing mirror.

YOU have helped me to sort out the people, and beliefs, in my life that have held me back, and you have opened my eyes to those that keep moving me forward.

You are my teacher.

YOU have believed that I couldn’t do it, and it taught me I could.

YOU have placed limits and labels on me because of your own insecurities, leading me to finally realize that I am limitless.

YOU have also showed me what REALLY brings happiness and fulfillment in life.

YOU have taught me that I don’t need your approval, or blessing, to follow my purposeful path.

You are my teacher.

When I felt vehemently opposed to your point of view, the judgements rising up to my eyeballs-

You were there.

When I formed my own personal Hell on Earth, created especially for me and exclusively by me-

Mm hmmm, I knew it. I thought it was you.

When I finally started to realize that life had nothing to do with acquiring anything or anyone-

Yep. Guess who?!

YOU were the one who showed me that security is an illusion, and that change is inevitable and constant.

YOU paved the path before me, brilliantly exposing what I now know to be true- that dedicating my life to something beyond the personal, and material gratifications on this Earth, is the only way to be on purpose.

And when I looked into your eyes and felt the palpable presence of God-

That was you there, my teacher.

I’m onto you teacher and Im into you too.

I am in reverence of every opportunity to have you as my teacher in this life- the one that I am so privileged to be experiencing.

Although, I was thinking…

It would be nice if you would occasionally introduce yourself first.

You could say’“Hello there. I may be staying in your life for a long while, or I may just be with with you for a very short time.”

“I am your teacher.“

A big, gracious thank you, to all the teachers in life, however, and IN WHOMEVER they may show up.