What Teachers Make

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...
You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
· I make kids wonder.
· I make them question.
· I make them criticize.
· I make them apologize and mean it.
· I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
· I teach them to write and then I make them write.
· I make them read, read, read.
· I make them show all their work in math.
· I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
· I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
· Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...
You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW.

THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT:

"Teachers make every other profession"

Take a few moments of your time that you consider so precious and thank your teachers for what you are today.

The paradox of our time in history is that:,...

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

wider Freeways but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less,

We buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families,

More conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense,

More knowledge, but less judgment,

More experts, yet more problems,

More medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,

drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too

little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but

we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,

big men and small character,

steep profits and shallow relationships.

 

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

 

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night

stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

 

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Quotes By Bapu

Every day spend a few moments giving thought and time to God, to nature, your sadguru/ saint, your scripture, and finally your own self.

 

That which happened yesterday and what will happen tomorrow, both are attached to time, to death. Only the present moment, today, speaks of life.

Thoughts of Bapu

Don't search for Guru; when the need arises He will appear.

The Winners Way

Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. John Wooden

The euphoria of the Indian Crickets teams World Cup victory, has ignited a debate as to whether this is one of the greatest Indian Cricket teams and if it can be considered truly exceptional. To win the world cup is no mean feat and to do it beating some pretty good sides speaks volumes about the sheer talent and ability of the team members. However to be considered exceptional it is imperative that the team display consistency, commitment and above all character.

Consistency is all about repeatedly performing to full potential. This is challenging because the conditions could constantly change be it with respect to the conditions of playing arena, or the strength of the opponent or it could be due to unexpected changes that are suddenly thrust upon the participants. For outdoor sports, a huge shower could drastically alter the playing conditions. In sports, injuries to key players are perhaps one of the most dreaded challenges that a coach has to battle to balance the side at the last moment. What is challenging is to mange a consistent performance despite these numerous hurdles that keep cropping up off and on.

Commitment is giving a 100% no matter what the circumstance. The challenge of being fully committed is that there are times when one is dispirited, disheartened and desperate and it is hard to resist the temptation to throw in the towel. Injury worries, lack of form, constantly losing close games are desperate times when being committed poses a big psychological challenge. Often commitment is driven by the need to give it all we have no matter what or who the opponent or challenge is. The difficulty in being fully committed is that we have to overcome the motions of going through the rigours simply to meet the requirements of the rules. It is equally tough to be committed when battling a losing cause or when there is no real motivation that spurs commitment. Yet there are times when the commitment of one single individual even if he/ she is on the losing side wins accolades for the grit and determination to take on a much stronger opponent.

Character is the ability to put the set backs behind, grab the opportunities that come and explore, experiment and exploit the slimiest chance that one can create. Our character is put to the test when we suddenly encounter a loss of form, an unexpected resilience from opponents, when we find the going very tough and when every nerve in us wants to give up but our spirit keeps nudging us on. The upsets caused by the so called minnows can demoralise and weaken the resolve of the higher rated team or players and they are then prone to give up. However those with the real character are the ones who thrive on challenges, can push themselves to the limit and display amazing self belief. Manchester United Football team is one of those football clubs that is considered a tough competitor particularly because of the self belief they thrive on which makes them come up with extraordinary performance during the fag end of the game especially if they are a goal or two behind. It is their character that opponents fear most.

Remember: Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Try this:

Ask yourself if you have some goals or New Year resolutions that demand your consistency, commitment and character to be of the highest order. E.g. if you have a target to lose weight or if you have decide to get some additional qualifications. If you your goals or targets are not so challenging then add a couple of challenging goals/ resolutions so that you can actually achieve a lot during the coming year.

If you are assailed by self doubts and tied in knots with a number of ‘not’s that hold you back from giving of your best have

How to ignite the spirit of courage

“When you have no choice, mobilize the spirit of courage” Jewish Proverb

When we look around us there are times when we feel dispirited, disheartened and deflated and it just gets worse when there are many others like that around us. We are then left wondering if there is any hope for us and if life has anything meaningful t to offer us. These are times when we wished we didn’t have to go through this painful and apparently hopeless process. No matter who one is, no matter how rich and powerful, no matter how intelligent or smart one is, low points in life will always be a part of living. Death is one low point that is a great leveler and is the one common denominator of sadness, pain and hopelessness that binds all living beings.

The average human being is often commonly plagued by the lows that follow death of a loved one, fear of failure and worry about the future. Death is a reality that we must make peace with and accept with equanimity. It spares none and can come most unexpectedly. While affection and love will always tug at the heart and trigger emotions of various hues we need to pick up the pieces and get back on track at the earliest. Since human beings cannot remain isolated, unemotional or unaffected one would need to delve into the personal resources of rationale, courage and acceptance which would form the foundation of the spirit of courage that will pull us out of the quagmire of grief.

Fear of failure is omnipresent too. No one can ride on past success for each one of us has to script a new success story everyday. Ironically, the fear of failure is just as prevalent amongst the rich as much as it is prevalent amongst the poor, it is found in equal measure amongst both the brilliant and those who are below average and spares neither the urban population nor the rural folks. Since we cannot insulate ourselves from this fear the next best thing we can do is to ensure that fear of failure does not overwhelm us. Self belief is the key to open the doors of courage. Resilience and hard work provide the steps to the ladder of success. It also helps to be planned, prepared and persistent for then we would be better equipped to face failure without hurting ourselves too much in the process.

Since the future is the unknown that is both a mystery and an opportunity rather than view it with trepidation, we must look at it in anticipation. View the future like a hand of cards dealt by the dealer when playing a game of bridge or poker. It is only once we have the cards that we can play the game. Just as we look forward with anticipation eager to know the hidden cards, which if it is a poor hand we fold and wait for the next game, so too must we see each day. Patience, hope and the daring to take calculated risks be it in playing or packing up are the mantras to muster courage and fire up the spirit. Fearing the future is perhaps the most passive and sure fire way to lose ones way in the maze called life. Instead anticipate the changes, prepare for it and plod into it with gusto and presto we discover the truth ‘that life is an adventure to be lived not a mystery to solved.’

Remember: “Pure logic is the ruin of the spirit.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Try this:

Do you think you can manage something like what he did under similar circumstances? If your answer is yes…go on attempt to write your own epitaph

Here are a few realities of life. How do you visualize each of them

Monthly bills to be paid

Some illness in the family

Some celebrations that occur

An unexpected surprise or shock