We are all born teachers. Some choose education as their career and others only discover their mission when dealing with the task of helping their own children become human. To simplify: we are born people, but we became humans. Yes, we humanize ourselves as we interact with others. As we coexist we develop educating each other. And, in doing so, we can recognize our primary vocation: to be educator. We educate ourselves and others constantly (the ones close and even the ones afar), day after day. A demanding activity that often goes unnoticed.
During special annual dates, we pay respect to those fostering our education: Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Teachers'Day. However; on the other days, we forget the responsibility that is to be in front of each other. Being human in all our wholeness, including the lights and shadows of our humanity. No dramas. No martyrs nor Saints. Only people seeking to grow through life and find the meaning to their own existence.
Family and school have an essential role to play since they are social institutions that represent the accumulated knowledge of education – whether based on theory or on practical grounds. Family is the first place for education. At home, we are welcomed and cared for. So much love and dedication is given to a child at this stage! Without this utmost dedication, where would we be? We're here because someone cared for us, with their best and their worst (the entire package comes along). No matter how hard we try though, we cannot fool ourselves. We must recognize the challenges that exist in ourselves. I would like to talk more specifically about this “emotional baggage” we reach out and use everytime we interact with each other: our strengths, beliefs, hopes, values, actions and conversations.
Our words are extremely formative: they build and destroy beautiful things. What we want, what we think, the goals and priorities we set, our weaknesses, fears and sorrows. All, I repeat, all make who we are. We share this unique disposition that we are made of with all we meet. Many times, we are can control ourselves; we camouflage and omit certain facets of our being, but not for long. But to do it so deliberately requires hard work and mastery. Maybe some people can actually do it. But time and cohabitation are our faithful friends and they reveal everything. Sometimes, the truth is reveled suddenly and all at once; other times, it reveals itself slowly, little by little. But, if we reflect on our joint responsibility as educators, we should conclude that is up to us to review our own predispositions. What are we carrying around in our “baggage”? Which "journey" or "adventure" are we bring along? Which "memories” do we have? Is it something that we have inherited from our families? Or are these memories or something we had learned in childhood?
We need to seek self-knowledge so we can recognize our own characteristics and attitudes, as if you were doing an inventory before moving from our home’s: oh look, I found this and that; look at all this stuff is inside me! It’s my emotional baggage. Be careful though with self-judgment: there are no victims nor slayers. Otherwise, our energy would dissipate in this endless duel that goes on in our minds. When we move, we can always review what we really want to continue to carry with us. Lot of things in this analysis won’t even be noticed during “the inventory”. Phew! We can't handle so much consciousness! We still have a life ahead of us to find ourselves. Otherwise, what fun would that be? It's almost like knowing the end of a movie before we could see it.
Things unrevealed are kept in a more hard-to-reach compartment called the unconscious. Handling such deep emotions requires much work and determination, in some cases, finding someone more knowledgeable about the human behavior maybe be necessary. But, let's look at what you find in your baggage. What do I want to save? What can be left behind? What can be returned to its original owner?
For awhile now, I returned borrowed stuff I have accumulated along the way; these things no longer fit me causing only unnecessary weight in my luggage. This cleanup work is arduous! And during my thirties specially, such cleanup work seems to be the keynote of my “grown-up" years. However, it’s undeniable such cleanup process is extremely beneficial to human life, as it helps us to get down to the basics. The essential is profoundly enlightening.
Besides, it releases the next generation from pondering about unimportant things so they can pursue greater tasks. Maybe intense examination is the task for the new generations. After all, they are the "reviewers" of our script and our history. They will continue on from where we left off, or perhaps they will be working on what was passed on from our ancestors. They will continue the story in way they want or are capable of. However, we can give them a precious contribution by evaluating and reassessing continually what it’s worth preserving within ourselves. That's why I say that the future belongs to adults. If we keep what is essential, we will keep in our luggage only what is worth carrying.
Then, if one day they call us conservatives, we can respond calmly: thank you. And return a smile with satisfaction. Our task as educators is being recognized! And if we are called a rebel or transgressive, be thankful, for the new is being reborn in us. Being different from the way our parents were, or not doing what is expected of us, it's not being an ingrate. It's a blessing. A sign that we are closer to our own authentic shelf. However, this result will only be possible if we go down the road of self-knowledge and self-learning. Then we will know who we are and what we can offer as service to others and the Earth.
