As I approached the last year I taught, I wanted to experience the that and live it to the fullest with each students. At various times during the year, my resolve was tested. One day, due to illnesses and family situations, the number of students who attended was a handful. I set lesson plans aside, going with the flow. It was an excellent choice. We enjoyed ourselves and it created a way to approach these situations, and teaching in general, throughout the year.
That day, students created stories as part of short animated films. At times, we were silent. Other times we shared and laughed. Throughout, we helped each other with new tools and I learned right along with them. Much like teaching art I did not come into the day with much knowledge about tools and techniques we used. Instead, it was very improvised and I told the students this right up front.
Several days later, I walked the river valley and reflected on how we experience unplanned moments and rewards that emerge. Alan Watts reminds me of the difference between faith and belief. The former allows me to go through life less anxious, with reduced expectations about the future. The latter needs us to shape a world to fit a belief system into and defend it. It is not that the future won’t arrive. It is I cannot anticipate the next moment, only living in the present moment and improvising to what emerges.
Life’s meaning–
A question teases–
To live into;
To thrive in;
What is my purpose?
Moments separating;
Connecting, dancing in paradox.
Each moment emerging;
Unplanned–
Yet, orchestrated.
Revealing meaning moment by moment.
Unmarked journeys–
Question,
Not answers–
Certain missteps–
Do I see around corners?
Over hills?
Accepting on faith,
Feeling, sensing, experiencing,
Not seeing.
A gentle hand,
Touching, guiding,
Each of life’s step,
Emerging in light,
And, shadow.
I took this picture during the walk. The path drew me to it, with its hill and curve at the top. I only saw what was immediately in front. Even then, it was limited by shadows and vegetation blocking my view.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
Life is exciting because while we enjoy the present, we never know what is around the next corner.
As children, that is what enthralls each of us and, at the same time, scares us a bit.
Thanks for the reassurance in your words
On Sat, 4 Jul 2020 at 6:47 am, Teacher as Transformer wrote:
> ivonprefontaine posted: “As I approached the last year I taught, I wanted > to experience the that and live it to the fullest with each students. At > various times during the year, my resolve was tested. One day, due to > illnesses and family situations, the number of students who att” >
You are welcome Roy and thank you.
If you plan things, there are no surprises, no delights. Winging it is the fun part.
Yes, that is so important, to live a deslightful and enchanted life.
There’s a balance in life. A little planning and a lot of surprises. LOL We each need something that fits us. The people who find it, are the lucky ones. 🙂
We need a bit of a plan. The surprises seem to have more meaning when we do.
The present moment is the only moment, my message too. Life is the best teacher, right in that moment every tie. Thanks for your fine presence, and happy fourth!
Thank you Pujakins. There is no other moment we can be in. Take care and stay safe on the Fourth.
When I taught high school and college, the greatest thing I learned about lesson plans was that they are not carved in stone. I learned to zig and zag where necessary but stay the course in the long run. BTW – I am still in touch with over 40 of my former students.
I agree Allen. As I became more comfortable, I used them as the framework and allowed what emerged to take root. Quite often, it was in the emergent moments we found the greatest learning.
I am not sure how many former students I am still in touch with. I have a combination of K-12 students, university students, and former hockey players, so it is probably somewhere around 100 that I actively communicate with. Every now and then I run into someone who I don’t recognize and they ask if I am Mr. P. or greet me by saying “Coach.” I learned to ask who they were. They change so much and I appear not to. I run into these former students and players in airports, at conferences, and in schools and arenas I visit. It makes me feel like I made a difference.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
YOWZA!
Thank you Jonathan.
Welcome you are!