A Teacher

Becoming “enlightened” is certainly a process, some get it quickly and others work at it all their lives. For me, it has certainly been a process of learning, relearning and most of all remembering to reclaim what I’ve always known, but had felt unable and unwilling, fearful to remember.  I’ve come to understand that through my life experiences, I was forced to or convinced to forget what I knew.  Today I know.  I know that I am an enlightened being and for that I am grateful.doggie_a-teacher

Many would say that to be “enlightened” means to be educated, informed, lettered, and literate, informed, aware, liberal sophisticated, refined, cultivated, open-minded, knowledgeable, liberal and broad-minded.  I would add that it means being teachable.  Obviously it is important to know what you know and don’t.  But it is also essential to know that no matter how much and what you know, there is always room to learn more, become further informed, educated or cultivated. 

I did not always know this, but the truth is that teachers are everywhere, the question is, am I always ready to learn or shall I say able to recognize that I am being taught, even when I don’t recognize the lessons.  Will I allow every opportunity to teach me something, move me towards my wholeness and greatness?  Am I taking note that teachable moments are always being created, consciously and unconsciously?  As a student, I have learned to listen and seek lessons with all my senses.  I have learned to seek always to be taught and to recognize when teachers show up in my life. 

I believe I have always been open to finding teachers and have allowed myself to be taught. I recognize when I have found a teacher and I have no problem embracing their offerings.  I remain open and in a   receiving place, with a willingness to listen.  I recognize that we are all teachers and students at the same time. Somewhere along the way I got that teachings are in the trees, the skies, in animals, and in all situations.  I’ve also come to understand that a teacher does not exploit, manipulate, or is arrogant; a teacher allows themselves to be taught. 

 

What have you learned lately, from your surrounding and your life?

For the next 24 hours, once a week, take note of who and what you learn something from.  

Share with me the many new teachers you discover or re-discover.

1 thought on “A Teacher”

  1. It is amazing what happens when the student is ready and the teacher shows up. Jordan, my 7 pound Yorkie-PO
    has taught me more about Love then i could have ever thought. He’s taught me that love is patient, unselfish and ever lasting.

Comments are closed.

RUNNING THROUGH DARKNESS
MEMOIR OF A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

BY SANTA MOLINA-MARSHALL ‧ RELEASE DATE: MAY 3, 2022

This debut memoir chronicles a woman’s spiritual exploration and growth as she overcame a disturbing childhood and helped others heal.

Brought to America from the Dominican Republic as a youngster, Molina-Marshall should have led a happy life. Her father was a diligent worker, and his large family wanted for nothing. But the author recounts that her dad had a drinking problem and was a serial philanderer. Molina-Marshall’s long-suffering mother left him for a woman. Then it was all downhill for the bright, 12-year-old girl, who was shuttled between foster care and relatives. According to the author, she was sexually abused by the husband of one of her siblings. This resulted in Molina-Marshall becoming alienated and moody. By 15, she simply tried to survive. In her favor were grit and a restless intelligence. She quit school, rented a room, and found a factory job. Time went by, and for a while she was happily married. Yet when her husband left her, her life truly began. She turned to religion for answers but decided that blaming God for her woes was a cop-out. 

In this absorbing and moving memoir, Molina-Marshall’s vivid storytelling is fearless. She frankly discusses the truths she discovered and the indignities she suffered. These admissions are disclosed with a touch of resignation and plenty of bite. However painful, everything she experienced was a lesson, and she bravely realized that she was part of the problem: “The fear of being hurt, rejected, or abused often led to me feeling lonely and misunderstood. No one knew the agonizing pain I felt being trapped in my thoughts and anger. I was becoming my biggest threat.” 

The author skillfully recounts her intricate spiritual journey. To deal with her psychic wounds, she searched for an inspirational system. Her open-mindedness led her to the interfaith concept—cherry-picking from various religions and spiritual movements, yoga, and Indigenous beliefs as a way of finding peace. Along with her female partner, she built a therapy practice, making use of every spiritual element that aided her and others. The road was bumpy, and she found that women of color in same-sex relationships were not welcomed everywhere. To do good works—and finally live on her own terms—she effectively overcame bigotry.

An engrossing, cathartic account of empathy and success through determination and confidence.

Pub Date: May 3, 2022   |    ISBN: 978-0-578-38315-6  |   Page Count: 264    | Publisher: From Trauma to Triumph  |   Review Posted Online: June 13, 2022