For All Teachers, Take Heart In The Nobility of Your Profession

by Robert Wilkinson

A Sufi who is a dear friend sent me some links to places of deep wisdom. The following is from a site dedicated to a Muslim Saint, Ubaid Ullah Khan Durrani, a.k.a. Babajan. What you are about to read is offered by a practitioner of the Montessori method of learning, which is worthy of an entire article in itself. For now, here's a gentle reminder for all teachers everywhere that you can and should take heart in the nobility of your profession.

For your consideration, "The Reward of being a Teacher"

With compliments from The Montessorian (Mrs. Shamim Akber)

As years go by, many teachers are disheartened when faced with children with deviations, children with learning disabilities, and children with problems that stem from a disturbed home life. They ask themselves, "Is what I am doing worth it? Am I making the difference?" The following story will give them the patience to have faith in their chosen profession.

One upon a time there was a man who used to go to the ocean to see the sunrise. One day he was walking along the shore, and he saw a young man picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer, he called out, "Good morning! "What are you doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked, "Why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

The young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them in they will die."

"But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and hundred of starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked another star fish and threw it into the sea, passed the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."

The rewards of being a teacher are rarely financial. The true reward is in knowing that you have the ability and the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child. We cannot change the world for all the children in our planet, but we can affect the lives of the few in our care.

A big thanks goes out to Shehzaad Maroof who led me to this gem!

© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson (Small edits for readability.)

Comments

[J. Sue Gagliardi]

Wow, that story warms my heart and feels so right. So very few of us are here to affect millions all at once. We're not all Oprahs or world leaders. We are here, perhaps, to affect just one at a time or just one; period.

[Suzy]

Just one..that's all it takes.

Beautiful post Robert.

Peace.

Suzy

[lisbeth]

Hi Robert, I read about the Starfish story, once, in one of Dan Millmans books; coming from a sage woman he had known while in Hawaii. Of course this little gem also holds true for anyone involved in Rescue work...sponsoring a child or providing a foster home for an animal(s). One of my big dreams, as yet unfulfilled, is to make a difference in the lives of our four-pawed friends. Have a great spring day! lisbeth

[lisbeth]

Robert, I just happened to think after sending the former...the same woman from Dan Millman's book ( I read this long ago ) had taught him to say.."Create" a great spring day! ( instead of have ). When I think to say this, sometimes it sounds a bit contrived, I don't know, but ultimately, it is right on the button. Funny! lisbeth

[magenta]

Great reminder, but it's critically important to realize that we are ALL teachers at ALL times, certainly not just to children and not just in a classroom. AND we are of course likewise ALL STUDENTS at all times, because if we cease using our essential awareness toward the evolution of consciousness ( our own, and therefore everyone's) we're just taking up space here !

One of the hosts of an NPR program used to say "Make it a good day !" which I thought was a terrific improvement over "Have a good/nice day ". Sadly, now he doesn't say that -or anything else - so I can only imagine that someone higher up must have objected to his reminder that we ought to take some responsibility for how our day goes ! Go figure...

[Laura Shaw]

Thank you for this. It encapsulates a philosophy I've embraced for years: I can't take care of the whole world, but I can take care of my little kingdom. Love this web site, thank you for the gift of it!

[Robert]

Hi all - Even though this story has been retold many times, it's always good to remember that it really does only take one person in one moment to change a life forever. As it is said, there are no large or small miracles. There are only miracles. We assist in the creation or expression of many throughout our lives, and our intensity and focus really do matter. And our meditations have an effect, whether we think they do or not.

[Anne]

Thank you.

[AceStar]

just beautiful dear Robert! u always choose the best this article says so much .... Baba Jan is like a Spiritual guide to me after reading his Bio (book) i realise my path so open and universal like the universe want me to go into the depth explore the land of unknown we all need someone to push us and Baba Jan did all for me a true Modern Sufi :)
i still remember those days when i start reading his book i couldn't read more then 1 lines and start to explode really those 6 months i finish it and read many times after that and always found my answers in it :)

thanks Robert for being a true and sincere friend to us all :)

Love

good luck

[Robert]

Hi Anne - You're welcome.

Hi AceStar - Glad you like this post. I thought you would. Some teachers push us into the unknown, and of course, the Sufi saints have some great ways of doing this!

[victoria]

Thank you for reminding us that it is one person at a time.

I just called all my online students tonight, even though some where not home, they sent notes thanking me.

One starfish at a time.