Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: A lot of Thinking about Me Me Me... Blah Blah Blah

Sunday, March 27, 2011

A lot of Thinking about Me Me Me... Blah Blah Blah

This past week has been a pretty big week for me... my first time teaching photography classes. I'll be honest, I felt like I do about a lot of things I do in my life... like what the heck am I doing? Can I really do something like this? It was kind of a leap for me, but once I settled into teaching the classes, I realized that it's no big scary deal... I think teaching for me is second nature, and I love photography. I love talking about something that I love. I love having a group of people who want to listen to every word I have to say about something that I love. (I'm pretty sure Brandon often wishes I would just stop talking ;).

When I was in high school, my Algebra class would often ask the teacher if I could show how to do a problem on the board, because they could understand things better with the way I explained them. I've taught violin lessons since I was a teen, I've taught fitness classes at the gym, I've taught Young Women most of my married life. I've taught first aid, CPR, and who knows what all I've taught my kids... there have been a few good things among the bad. ;) Adding photography to my list of things to teach seems kind of natural. I guess my mom teaching violin lessons every day after school taught me more than how to "be quiet and not bother my mom unless the house was on fire or someone was dead". ;) I think I got a lot of my love of teaching from my mom. She used to teach us art in the summers too... and there were times when she was my violin teacher growing up.

Anyway, I've been thinking about that a lot lately... why I love to teach. Why I'm drawn to it. I actually had plans of teaching high school math, or elementary school. Luckily I didn't graduate from college, because that's probably the teaching that I am NOT cut out for. Subbing taught me that. ;)

I've done a lot of thinking about who I am too, and I think some of this has to do with why teaching works well for me. I had a long talk with one of my counselors in YW the other day. She is one of the sweetest, spiritually strong women I know. She told me that I am someone who has the ability to really love these girls, and to see good in them no matter what, and understand them and relate to them... that was a huge compliment to me. I got another compliment from someone I love recently... You are able to see the real joy of life and the people in it which not everyone can do. You are able to have a mirade of friends of all walks of life and find them all equal. That is very rare. It made me cry when I got that message... because it was at a time where I was feeling not particularly loved or accepted as myself.

I realized something... that I am very very far from being perfect (well, I didn't realize that... I already knew that), but that I had a quality that was good... something that I can use in this life to bless the lives of others. When my counselor said almost the same thing to me again, I realized that this might truly be a gift that I have, and I am grateful for it, and I want to expand that gift, and use it for good... to bless the lives of all those I know, those I'll meet, and in doing that, blessing my own life.

If you've read this far into my self-indulgent reflective ramblings... you're amazing. Or extremely bored. I've just had a lot of self-reflection lately, and sometimes this blog gets to be the outlet for my whirling thoughts.

3 comments:

Rachel Holloway said...: I agree with every single thing--and you have no reason to think otherwise! :) Seriously, you're just one of those people...and it's so natural to be drawn to you for all the good you just automatically bring out in people.

Wishing I were closer. Truly I do. I would soak in every ounce of knowledge you have, because you have so much to give--and do so, SO freely!; 6:08 PM
tracy said...: I love the message your friend sent you! She is right...you have that gift and you DO use it to bless others. I am grateful to be one of those in your circle.

I love teaching as well...it invigorates me to share something I know or love or am interested in with other people.

Sending love across the frozen tundra to you.; 9:50 AM
Mike, Sha, Kenna, Kate, & Garrett said...: Funny thing is. A few days before you posted this, I think I on my way to your class, I thought this same thing. You were born to teach. Some people just are. I love that you find something that you love and you just have to share it. Lucky for me I get to learn from you often.;); 5:06 PM

Post a Comment

To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche