Written on August 17, 2024 2:01pm. Posted on August 18, 2024 3:00am – PST
I continue my walk in the valley.
Not all valleys are desolate or ugly.
Correct?
So the point of this “Part 2” to the previous post is to look for the positive in the walk in the valley. Look for those opportunities to bring positive energy to someone else. I want to share with you that I had some really great moments this week. Without embarrassing some people, I can’t go too deep into those moments.
Just to remind you and me, here are pictures of some impressive valleys. There can be real beauty in the valley.
Beautiful Rose in the Valley
Being a teacher, especially the last 12-16 years, is a real challenge. I can only speak on my thirty-five years. All in California. In 1989, we didn’t know who are teachers voted for or slept with. Today? We know both answers and even more about our teachers! Why? How did we think that teenagers (or younger) needed to know our political party and our the gender of our sexual partners would be beneficial in the education of our scholars (students)? NOT GOOD! Not healthy. Isn’t there a saying, “the more we know about a person, the less we will like him or her (I know, “So Binary, Paul. So 1989!” — giggle)
When I started my career in 1989, I had great hopes that all I was going to do until I retired was be a music teacher. I am still blessed to be a music teacher, but at a charter school for 4th – 8th grades (some day – we will add HIGH SCHOOL 😉 So, the job / the mission has changed just a bit and I am still making music with young minds / hearts!!
One of many things I have learned since 1989 is, being a teacher is like being a gardener and the students (scholars) are the roses. Well, I forgot that roses have thorns.
I strongly believe when one has had 30+ years of experience in a career, that one should be more than willing to share their wisdom, lend an ear and shoulder to lean on.
A fellow teacher – very good man – told me that he was thinking this would be his final year teaching. Less than 10 years into his career.
“Interesting “John” (not his real name) I felt the same way on Friday.” That Friday would have been August 9, 2024!
John (not his real name) looked at me in shock!
“Well, John. I have been doing this since 1989! Technically, I am retired. I am collecting my retirement. I am not really in the mood for things not to go well. I just want to relax and read. But, cooler heads prevailed. When I saw the scholars walk into the lecture hall (band room) and how happy they were, I recalibrated myself.”
He smiled.
“And, after what you just told me John, maybe I am supposed to be here for you!”
“Really? That’s nice of you, Paul.”
“John, I am still attempting to figure out why God wants me to stay here. Stay in education. You (John) are one of the reasons. When you need me, I will be here for you.”
A Pine Tree in the Valley
Then today (August 17, 2024).
I take long walks. Here is the picture of that walk
Quite often I carry a flag. Today, I carried the “Appeal to Heaven” flag.
A stranger stopped me and asked me, “What does your flag say?” He reads it aloud. “That’s a cool flag, man.”
“You like my flag?”
“Yeah. It’s cool.”
I ask this stranger, “Do you believe in God?”
“I do!”
“Can I pray for you?”
“Sure.”
I put my hand on his shoulder and said a prayer. HE SAID ‘YES!’ How cool was that? I was so excited about the opportunity to pray for this stranger that I stammered and had to start over. Talk about a beautiful moment in the “valley!” What an honor it is to have a stranger allow me to pray for him! Seriously.
Huge smile from him and, he was on his way.
Just a Reminder
So, take heart! There are beautiful moments along the valley floor. You just need to look for them. And at the same time, you and I want to get to that mountain top. Don’t settle for being in the valley. Don’t be fooled by the beauty. The mountain top allows you to see the overall beauty of the valley! Being on the mountain top needs to be the goal!
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