A Day of Reflection

I find it very timely that I am reflecting today about what I have learned throughout the many, many years of my existence here on earth. I say timely, because I am writing this entry on the day when the challenge of our very special guest, Pope Francis, is for us to reflect on how we have lived, and continue to live our lives– whether or not we have looked at the needs of our poor brothers and sisters in God.

Having said this, I cannot help but think that perhaps, one of the reasons why I contemplate on the importance of these new lessons today, is that I needed to have a better understanding of the kind of teacher I want to become. Perhaps, being able to provide new things, ideas, insights to my future students is not enough to be recognized as an effective teacher. Instead, the realization that more and more people need care, attention, opportunities, trust, patience and understanding, is the real message of these lessons and that I must not be complacent with the things that I know now but to challenge myself even further to develop into a “teacher” who would give as much importance to the well- being of her students as that of their intellectual gains. Someone who will not give up when faced with difficulties in teaching situations or difficulties with her students. Someone who will promote values and ideologies but will allow her students to have a mind of their own. Someone who will give students opportunities to try and succeed and not dominate the entire learning experience just because she can. And, someone who will always be mindful that she has been called to play a role that will make a difference in the lives of others whom she would teach.