Never let anyone out there tell you that Heaven does not exist because God has sent me an angel <3
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT THINK THAT BY SIMPLY BELIEVING IN SOMEONE, YOU CAN HAVE A HUGE IMPACT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIFE.
THIS IS THE STORY OF THAT SPECIAL TEACHER WHO WENT THAT EXTRA MILE. SHE WAS THERE TO ENCOURAGE, INSPIRE, AND GENTLY GUIDE ME SO THAT I COULD FIND MY PLACE IN LIFE. IT WAS HER MENTOR SHIP THAT HELPED ME REACH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SUCCESS THAT I COULD EVER REACH...SELF-REALIZATION.
I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS HAPPY, I MUST HAVE BEEN FOOLING MYSELF THOUGH, BECAUSE WHAT I WOULD SOON REALIZE IS THAT IN ORDER TO BE TRULY HAPPY, YOU MUST ALSO BE CONTENT.
So, what words would i choose to define what it is like to be "content," the only words that come to mind are inner peace and gratitude. Now, looking back, i realize that i couldn't have been happy or content back then because i was wrapped up in "my future." My desire to be successful in life, kept me on a constant goose chase and brought tons of stress and worry about how i was going to reach success. During that time, my thoughts of success meant that i would be just where i wanted to be in life, with a good job, have a family, graduating college with my doctorates, living in a nice house in my dream location, driving a nice car, and someday owning my own business. With these thoughts of how i was going to achieve these goals for my future. So i began focusing all of my attention on what i needed to do to get these things in life. Instead of living in the moment and enjoying my time with the people that i loved, i spent my time worrying about my grades and how they would affect my chances of transferring to a good college, what major i should choose so that i could find a job that paid fairly well and that i enjoyed, how i was going to advance or get promoted at the place that i was working at the time so that i could learn more about running my own business, etc.,
The funny thing is, looking back on these times, i realize that i was chasing something that was within me the whole time, happiness, and it had nothing to do with achieving those goals or anything that i envisioned in my dream of a "happy future." Everything in life that was truly invaluable was all the things that i was breezing by without being thankful for, which is every part of me that makes me who i am as a person, and all of the things i was passing by without gratitude while focusing on the things i wished to acquire, such as being lucky enough to be blessed with such a loving family, awesome friends, caring teachers and mentors, children who i could be there for, and coworkers whom i adored. Not to mention all the beauty that great mother Earth had blessed us with that i had not been taking the time to stop and appreciate.
At that moment, my focus shifted from the future to the hear and now my mind shifted to my higher consciousness, as i realized that i had already reached my highest success, inner peace and contentment. From that point forward, i have been able to feel blessed by every moment, and although i am still working on achieving many of my goals, I definitely do not depend on any of them to create my happiness or define who i am as a person!
MEETING MY MENTOR, MISS PEGGY CLIFFORD............and the journey begins!
Interpersonal communications class would lead to a crucial turning point in my life, thanks to one special teacher, Miss Clifford. Her methods of teaching by encouraging introspect would turn out to be the best thing that has ever happened to me. Her unique approach to teaching would not only include the curriculum, but also exercises and self-assessments that would end up being just as beneficial as the course itself by contributing towards our self-awareness and personal growth. Personality and multiple intelligence tests, tests to determine whether we were right or left brained and how it relates to our abilities, evaluations to determine our style of learning and communicating, as well as weekly journal assignments to reflect upon topics related to our self-concept. By assigning these assignments, we were forced to focus inward, which resulted in my desire to make changes and become a better version of myself. With each change came an increased confidence in my ability to accomplish goals, and a greater sense of self-worth.
In the midst of hard times, especially when realizing my faults, Miss Clifford was always there to coach me through the tough times. In doing so, she has taught me the most important lesson in life, that is was not the words that she spoke to me, but rather her intentions and unspoken words that contained the most meaning. When I would go to her during times of emotional crisis, seeking answers, rather than answering my questions, she would respond with a question. At the time, I was not able to see the significance in her actions and often time left feeling more confused than before I got there. It would not be until days later, upon reflection, that I would come to realize that she was not trying to confuse me, but rather she understood that in order for me to be fulfilled and happy with an answer, I must discover it from within myself.
She has taught me that there is no real truth, only a truth for me. By focusing inward, I was able to become my true and authentic self, good and bad, gifts and faults but because I know that my intentions that I base each and every action upon is based upon love and respect for all, I am able to accept all that is me. With this acceptance comes contentment in life because I have nothing to prove, I have already reached what I consider to be the highest level of success one can achieve, self-actualization.
Ever since this moment I have been able to stay grounded, even in times of chaos because I am filled with an inner peace that nobody could ever take away. With this inner peace comes a special joy that allows me to live in and cherish each and every moment, and also the desire to want to help others in the same way that Miss Clifford has helped me.
Although I may never reach the level of skill that my teacher has set as an example, she has helped me to realize that it is my good willed intentions that will help me to find a way, even when their doesn’t appear to be one. When something truly touches our hearts, we remain motivated and keep working towards the realization of our dreams. So, here I am, dedicating myself to a lifetime of learning, and challenging myself and doing what I can with what I have, while having faith in my God to take care of the rest.
