the Way of the Turtle

Thoughts from a Guest Speaker, Part 3
THOSE WHO GO UNNOTICED
Friday, December 7, 2007

Another thing that today's guest speaker talked about that really stuck with me was a comment that while he has classmates who went on to do amazing things and who are incredibly important and powerful, what has impressed him the most as time has gone by is how it's often the quieter people who basically went unnoticed who have had a truly significant effect on him... these are often the people who end up doing the most thoughtful and considerate things. I suppose that resonates with me because I often try to do the things I do quietly and without drawing attention... I'm a firm believer in the importance of humility and would much rather be working quietly behind the scenes rather than being up on stage taking bows.

Much of the time, I think we equate success with being important and recognized, with having lots of money and fancy stuff... I know most of my students fall into that trap! So I think it's good for them to hear someone saying that true success is something a bit different. After hearing about my race last Sunday down in Westchester, one of my kids asked me if I'd won, and looked at me a bit quizzically when I replied "Yes, I finished and I had a good time!"

It also reminded me that the effect I have on a student is not always obvious... I've had a number of occasions when I've had a student who went through my class saying very little and seemingly a bit detached from what I was doing, and later found out that he thought very highly of me and actually enjoyed my class. And as someone who tends to be rather quiet and a bit reserved... I can understand definitely understand where that quiet student is coming from.

All in all, I really enjoyed Andy Fisher's talk today. With luck, the things he said got the students thinking too!

JMH