People are divided about how to regard me. A lot of people think I'm amazing. Some other people disagree. I once told a Bishop in my Faith that "I don't really do anything special. I just do what I ought." I have been blessed that fortune has favored my boldness.
One of my themes in 2011 has been "Truth Will Out". As a consequence, I have been more interested than normal in Hermann Cain's current conundrum. I have made decisions over the past few years on the belief that giving people truth and focusing on what's best for them long term will be the best choice, even if it's the worst choice for me personally in the moment. Most of the time, I have just been lucky.
I am very young and have a lot to learn about love and life and art and success. I came into the situation where you find me without going through the normal process, which is probably why I am willing and able to do what others in my field elect to avoid. People all around me tell me to hunker down and bite my tongue, and while I agree that might be best for me, life isn't just about me. Sure, my life interests me a great deal, but I'm neither the only person on this planet nor the most important one on it.
I think what really makes me appear to be great is because I'm interested in Truth. I don't need to be right or have all the answers from the get go. I seek Truth, and I am happy to be corrected if I'm wrong. Last night in class, I told the students that I have no ego to wound if they know things I don't and no ego to boost proving I know things they don't. I already know that's true, and if we're both edified by coming together, then I think that's better.
Too many people make decisions to avoid conflict and maintain some semblance of harmony. While that may be comfortable in the moment, I learned years ago that eventually you will face a Kobayashi Maru- the no-win scenario. At that time, it will not matter what choice you make: but how you respond is illustrative of your character, and decided that if I was going to be damned anyway, I might as well be damned for being who I really am. Maybe my students, neighbors, friends, and fellow church goers don't like what I do for them today. What I really do is make decisions that I think will be to your long-term and lasting benefit. I learned long ago that the chief cause of failure and happiness is trading what matters most for what matters in the moment. As a consequence, I also teach life lessons to students in class, things that are neither in the book nor on the test, because those things will help them use what they know to make themselves successful on the Test of Life.
After class last night, I spoke with a young lady about her career choice. She said something about how she chose it because it was a guaranteed job and how she couldn't get one doing what she really wanted to do. I asked her to consider if that was really true. Many of the most 'successful' people at least as the world defines success are actually college dropouts. These people MADE opportunities for themselves. I hope my students will realize that they can make opportunities as well and do what they dream.
I know it can be scary to go out and live your own life. I know it can be scary to stand for what you believe. Each time I have braved the odds, I have been carried forth on wings as eagles by my Maker. Maybe the path was rocky or stormy or painful, but I have arrived each time at a Land of Promise and become a better person in a better situation by doing what I ought. Also years ago, someone taught me the truth that has stayed with me that if you do today what others won't tomorrow you'll be able to do what others can't. I am testament to the truth of that statement.
Fortunately for me, the environment of higher education allows me to be bold. I have been able to establish that I'm in charge of the class. I enforce the rules, and the administration, however reluctantly it might be, backs me up by enforcing the consequences. As long as students learn what's on the rubric, the other things I share with them are considered to be enhancements rather than distractions and allowed to remain. Students seem to enjoy my classes more and frequently ask what else I teach and when in hopes of having me again on another subject. I don't know how good I am; I might just be better for them than the other alternatives. I am different, partially because I have a devil may care attitude about whether I keep this particular post. I know someone somewhere will see what I offer and staff me if they can, and that meanwhile God will carry me through the lean times. He already has. For His good fortune and favor to me, I thank Him and bless His name.
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