You Are Special.
We need to fight against the myth that we must "qualify" and earn our value as citizens, family members, individuals. We don't.
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Teachers are going back to school, along with kids. I’ve long been involved in education but I won’t be going back to a classroom. However, I still have a few more lessons to teach - as readers of this journal will and are finding out.
“This world wouldn’t exist without you. You are necessary. You are special.”
It’s been a rough few pandemic years for everyone. My sole hope, my back-to-school wish is for us all to value each other in an unqualified fashion. Kids especially need this unqualified love but adults too. You are valuable not for how high you can jump, how much you can remember, how big your wallet is, how fast is your car - NO. You are special period, full-stop.
On certain mornings, as we turn a corner, an exquisite dew falls on our heart and then vanishes. But the freshness lingers, and this, always, is what the heart needs. - - Albert Camus
Kids have suffered the worst from all the pandemic flip-flopping and the scare and fear dolled out like candy. My wish is that all teachers take the message of Mr. Rogers to heart. He’s a gem, my Buddha and he got it right - I LIKE YOU JUST FOR BEING YOU.
I see so many adults out there who need a hug, a big hug. I see so many without real community anymore. I see so many crushed by the pressures of “having to” be, get, do x, y and z. Don’t buy into it. Yes, take care of business but everyone is special just for being, being themselves. We need to swallow that and live that knowledge more, day to day.
So much of the rot we see in this life starts early with a child not being loved or rather shown love. I don’t mean the over-the-top kisses and declarations. But the love that is deep and calm and accepts the other as they are. And without that, it snowballs from there. The kid that can’t keep his folks happy. The kid tries to keep up but can’t. The kid afraid to fail or afraid to mess up or be yelled at.
You’d be surprised how many of us are still this hurt kid, looking for acceptance. Like Amanda. Triumphing despite.
Let’s start this school year right, ya’ll.
Peace, Love, Understanding. Compassion. Over and out.
And as a tradition, I leave you with a poem, a few scratchings on the road of my mind.
You Are Special
Yes. - You!
You are special
and i don't mean
because U R unique
one of a kind
'nd all that B.S.
they feed you down at
the self-help section.
No.
You may have
brought down 387 Spitfires over Germany
You may have
painted better than Picasso ever done
You may have
been declared a saint
(and damn well know you ain't)
You may have
been the first man on another moon
I don't give a shit
nor does the universe
for
you are special
in, of, and, as (you name the preposition)
you are.
Don't believe the buggers
that nail us to a wall
and describe how this one
is a work of art
the other not.
Don't believe the number numers
the rankers with their files
the check markers with their critic's smiles.
You are special because
you are necessary.
Each photon of your enormity
says that
you are here and
this world wouldn't exist
without you ....
You may be a rock star
or slinging beer at a bar.
You may be on stamps
or enjoy fast cars.
Doesn't matter ...
Rich or poor
slow or sore.
You are special.
So relax and be.
There is nothing you
have to accomplish or believe
save,
you are special
a god that makes this world
go round
special found
as you are, are
here 'n now.