"We Teach What We Most Need to Learn" - Richard Bach Inspirational Quote
Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
by Ronda Del Boccio
http://ProfitableStorytelling.com
"We teach what we most need to learn." Richard Bach in Illusions.
I remember the first time I read Illusions by Richard Bach. A friend loaned it to me and I devoured the little volume in an evening. It became an instant favorite that I read about every year or so, and I have bought it and given it away at least a dozen times.
There are many nuggets of wisdom in this book, but one in particular stuck with me from that first reading forward. I repeat and teach it often. And here, I do so again. "We teach what we most need to learn."
When I taught stress management at a local college, I repeated this quote and told my students. "One of the best things about teaching you how to handle stress gracefully is that it keeps ME on track. I make sure to practice what I teach." Did I feel "stressed out" at times? Oh sure. I am no more perfect than the next person is. Yet because I taught the skills, I realized the message was to practice and perfect them myself in my own life.
In other words, teaching is not simply about "dishing out" knowledge or instruction. It is not a place of power but rather a place of personal growth.
Whenever I find myself dishing out any form of instruction, which is often since I am a mentor, I tell myself, "And that goes double for ME."
This quote reminds me that the world is my mirror. Everything I experience happens so that I will discover something valuable. As I teach that value to you, passing it on reminds me of the lesson and opens me to receive new teachings and, hopefully, wisdom.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)I have found that to be true, Ronda, even when I'm needing love. Sometimes when I'm working too hard to make something better for somebody else, it's because I actually want somebody to touch me and tell me they love me. What I do tells me what I need. Thanks for reminding me.
Yeah! Everything is a give and take action, after long study for ourselves, the enxt step for improvement is teaching it to others.I love this short ones! :)
I totally agree with this viewpoint. I too help others solve their problems. I also don't get upset with any bad experience I have or had because there is always something for me to learn and my experiences are used to help others better. We learn from these things and life is a continual learning experience. What fun! Thanks for your article.
Thanks to everyone for those comments and stars! I truly appreciate you and am glad to provide value to you.Ronda
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