There is a lot of focus right now on teachers. I believe it may be teacher appreciation week of some sort and of course a fair bit of controversy surrounding the proposed budget cuts. I have had my favorite teachers and am delighted to be in touch with some of them via Facebook still today. I admire teachers and all they offer in the day-to-day, but the teachers who have made the biggest difference in my life, demonstrated that they cared about who I was becoming, not just what my performance and grades were. I remember their words, their smiles, their affirmations.
I am not sure all of the lessons in the following letter are learned in the classroom, but I do believe they are learned by being in relationship with Godly adults who have a passion for the children in their care. I am not sure if this was truly written by Abraham Lincoln or not, but I do believe there are some great longings expressed with in the words. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we might raise a generation of young men with the wisdom and discernment that would result if this is what we all desire to see our young people (boys and girls) learn in life…
If you know an adult who is developing children to be true to themselves and inspiring them to understand about the complexity of life and still striving to live it with heart and passion, be sure to say thank you again and again!
Letter to my son’s teacher
He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!
~Abraham Lincoln
