I’ve long said that our teachers often come to us in disguise.
One of my favorite quotes from Notes from the Universe (I know, I’m obsessed – but it’s sooooo good!!!) states: “Whosoever may torment you, harass you, confound you, or upset you, is a teacher. Not because they are wise, but because you seek to become so.”
Read it again. Does it resonate with you?
So, that annoying neighbor with the loud music is a teacher. So is that dude that cut you off on the highway today. Oh, and your annoying boss that micromanages your projects is one too. Not because any of those people are necessarily super wise or enlightened, but rather because you seek the lessons life is serving you.
Maybe it’s not another person that torments you. Maybe it is your self – or an aspect of your self: your body. My friend Jessica, after having gastric bypass surgery and losing nearly 200 lbs wrote in her blog:
And now I realize it’s the biggest gift that I have ever received: weight. By having the opportunity of being obese, and also a “normal” weight, or at least on my way to it, I have been able to hone the qualities that I found most endearing in a person. I also was able to learn at a very young age that it doesn’t matter what a person looks like, and not to judge by appearances, the way that most people did with me.
The most important lesson I learned is that you have to love yourself, before anyone else can love you. Happiness lies completely within the individual. No one else can make, or break it for you, without your permission. Throughout high school, I cursed the body that I was “given,” and now I realize that it has made me a stronger, better person.
Our tormentors take many forms. Other people. Our body. Our weight. Cancer. Our hair falling out. Being gay. The size of our penis or tits. Whatever it is.
But perhaps your greatest tormentor is also your greatest gift. Just maybe.
January 29, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I normally don’t tend to write comments,
but this just made sense to me.
Thanks for that, and keep up the good work!
January 29, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I read something 20 years ago which hit me like a 2×4 on the back of the head. It was written by Confucius: “If you see a man who is wise, emulate him. If you see a man who is not, examine yourself.” I still love it.
January 29, 2008 at 7:53 pm
fine.. but i still want a bigger penis
January 29, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I love this little message as well…It’s marked as one of my favorites in the book!
However, I must say that I haven’t found one I didn’t like…
January 29, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I am so glad for Jessica, I have an aunt that is going through the same surgery and being there and just supporting her through the process was such a joy. She lights up everyday to know that she is better-ing herself for a much longer life, and it is very pleasing to know when people are there for you when you go through such big turning points in your life…
Dave you are really a great friend.
January 29, 2008 at 9:18 pm
hmm… I guess you could say that about any experience in life… “bad” or “good” because everything you experience is another piece of the big puzzle which is you….
…Deep stuff…
January 29, 2008 at 9:51 pm
This “love yourself for who you are” seems to be the overall theme of this blog. Dream. Imagine. Do. Explore. Life is an adventure. Live it up! Sometimes life stings, but after the sting comes the tingle:)
BTW, it’s not the size of your penis that counts. It is the orgasm. That’s the stuff! And, it pleasure intensity factor is determined in no small part by the state of your mind.
January 29, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I will be your teacher:
It is spelled “losing” not “loosing.”
January 29, 2008 at 10:41 pm
This blog today seemed to resonate with me more than any other to date. I have many people, both good and bad, in my life who serve as teachers. They all have those characteristics from which I learn and progress beyond to better myself on this journey. Thanks for the reminder that no matter who they are, or when they come into my life, they all serve as teachers and help me become, well, a better me.
Love you Dave – thanks so much – J
January 29, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Often times, we learn a lot more from people/situations that we don’t like, then things we do. So we should appreciate everything.
January 29, 2008 at 11:55 pm
You see? I’m his teacher, come to point out his vanity and selfishness and utterly childish take on spirituality.
January 30, 2008 at 12:35 am
Yes indeed wise brother–and why? Because we are always a vibrational match to that which we are receiving. If we are not likeing what we are receiveing (manifesting) then the operative question has to be: what am I thinking about you that is keeping me from resonating as I truly know I am? The ONLY answer to this question HAS to be that you are thinking something that has created a vibrational discord. Knowing you are ultimately in control of this, all the world is both your playground and your teacher!
January 30, 2008 at 12:42 am
we are here FOR the contrasts–that’s why we are here! When you know what you don’t want, you launch the clearest desire of what you do want–and if we can just focus intentionally, deliberatly on that–oh my oh my, if we can just focus on what we want, the laws of the universe part heaven and earth to work their magic for us!
January 30, 2008 at 8:19 am
We are all but………… pilgrims……..on the way.
January 30, 2008 at 11:30 am
does that include being short?
January 30, 2008 at 11:38 am
We need to ask questions of torment, harass, confound, or upset, who is are teacher? what it teaches? when does it teach us? why does it teach us? This I think is where I can reflect on my teachers.
On the side did you mean confrontation or confounds?
January 30, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Again…another true statement. Realizing every situation has a potential to be a learning experience, has really helped me through alot of tough times.
January 30, 2008 at 1:16 pm
how’s jessica?
she’s really a nice girl~
i wanna see you and she doing a talky blog again~
January 30, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Davey..came home today very tired of my boss..this little lesson was nice…thanks..it made me stop being mad..
January 30, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I’m great :0)
January 31, 2008 at 12:40 am
People make good teachers in our lives – ones we like, and ones we are not so fond of.
Extreme experiences are too. My Big Bad Brain Injury has probably been one of the greatest teachers in my life. I think I appreciated being disabled before, in a way, but not like I do now – having spent time not being able to do so many physical things (like, move my left arm, stand and walk, etc.) that I could take for granted now.
And while I am still mildly mentally challenged, it’s nothing like not being able to sustain memory one second to the next, to string together a chain of awareness.
I was just thinking hunger is a teacher, in a way. Kind of funny though – I have “lost” that feeling with my brain injury. I remember something about feeling a sharp almost pain in my stomach when ‘hungry’, but I have felt nothing like that since June of ’89 when I was injured. Hunger is a great teacher though; as is eating, being fed. You can take that metaphorically all over as well.
I’ll leave with Dick Cheney & George Bush are wonderful teachers of mine too! Not sure just what I’m learning from them I don’t already know, but those 2 and others of their ilk annoy & challenge me more than about anyone I can think of. Maybe they’re supposed to teach me patience & compassion.
cheers,
John
February 7, 2008 at 4:40 pm
how do you reconcile this with the people burned in the gas chambers of Germany for being the people who love who they were?
February 15, 2008 at 3:35 am
Got to admit it Davey. Your full of wisdom at very young age. A “Guru” for that matter… How I wish i could have that same wisdom…