“The hardest lesson to learn was the least complicated”

I’ve spent most of my life working in classrooms. Monday I have an interview with the Massachusetts Department of Correction to teach prisoners at one state prison and it got me thinking today about my teaching career and the years I’ve spent in school as a student.

Some of the hardest lessons that I learned never happened in the classroom.

When I think back to childhood days spent in school, I remember standing in the corner many times for being too boisterous in class (Teachers in the 1960s really liked kids with ADHD!)

The failing grades I sometimes got (because reading was hard for me and I was too distractible to study) made me believe back then that I’d never amount to much. It’s a wonder I ended up becoming teacher at all, never mind earning a master’s degree!

I still remember Mr. Coogin from High School telling me to forget about attending college because he didn’t think I had what it takes and wouldn’t “cut it.”  Well, Mr. Coogin, despite your history class that put me to sleep, during my senior year, one thing I learned from you was never listen to  outside static in my life.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”~ Eleanor Roosevelt

How many times do we let the opinions of other people influence us?

Making decisions, losing self confidence or gaining self confidence…why does it have to be influenced by other people, especially our teachers, bosses or significant others?

My answer: It shouldn’t.

If I had listened to Coogin, I’d have missed wonderful years spent at Boston College and watching Doug Flutie throw that infamous miracle pass.(Coogin should forget Tarot Card reading for a side job.)

Listen to the Indigo Girls and not the dummies

Like the harmony repeats in the song above, sometimes the hardest things learned in life are the least complicated. Whether it’s tying a shoe or writing in cursive…life’s lessons are tough and life isn’t for the faint of heart. But letting outside static influence how we perceive our selves should never be a choice we make for ourselves.

Whether I teach in a classroom, in a prison, or through my writing on line, one thing I’m certain about:

Critical remarks are often made by people who half of the time don’t know what is best for us and are motivated by jealousy or ignorance. For example, my last boyfriend made a prediction which was pretty foreboding about my future. After I broke up with him, he told me I’d never find anyone who would be as wonderful as he was (and he even capitalized NEVER in his outrageous email.) Turns out, he read Tarot Cards like Mr. Coogan and should stick to firefighting because today I’m grateful he’s part of my past. He was…

… just another broken jigsaw piece that didn’t fit into this puzzle called my life.

I’m happy I threw that piece away and his “static” or ridiculous comment was motivated by ignorance and a bruised ego.

Lesson learned:  Never let anyone predict your future for you.

Always remember that you steer the wheel on your ship and the power is in your own attitude. One great blog to read is called “Life; not for the faint of heart” and Cynthia Occelli writes wonderful posts that will inspire. You should check out her site at:

http://www.cynthiaoccelli.com/. Cynthia knows about learning life’s lessons and shares her powerful wisdom.

Being happy doesn’t have to be complicated!

Hope you will check it out!

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012