The Reason We Remember Some Teachers

I read an essay recently by a man who was greatly influenced by his music teacher. The teacher taught him to play his violin with his heart, not his hands, and that made all the difference. 

Read it this weekend, if you get a chance. 

And, I'd be honored if you read an essay I wrote that has a similar theme. It's about how my high school tennis coach taught me to play with my instincts, rather than my talent, or maybe I should say he taught me to how overcome my lack of natural talent. 

I've always been overweight, so the tennis court probably shouldn't have been a natural fit for me. But you can overcome a lot with the proper training. In fact, I received a life lesson from Coach Gradoville: All of life is about proper positioning. If you talk to the right people, and contemplate what they say, then take action, you’ll find you are exactly where you need to be when the right moment comes along. 

We remember some teachers because they teach us how to live, rather than teaching us what to remember. 

Coach Gradoville died before I ever really had a chance to thank him. But I took some time off work to thank him at his funeral. It didn't feel like it was enough, but it was something.

If you haven't thanked a teacher (coach, pastor, mentor) who changed your life, do it before it's too late.  

Now, let's get to this week's thoughts about slowing down and living deeper:

• Taking time away to rest or to reconnect with God makes some people feel guilty. But, says one writer, extreme busyness is not a badge of honor — it’s a code red. Here's what happened to him when he set aside one full day to focus on his relationship with Christ. 


• This past Sunday, one of the pastors at my church referenced a quote by Alexis de Tocqueville from "Democracy in America," who observed a "strange melancholy which often haunts the inhabitants of democratic countries in the midst of their abundance, and that disgust at life which sometimes seizes upon them in the midst of calm and easy circumstances." Something to think about.


• Do you have phone anxiety? If so, you aren't alone. That's why this article fascinated me: Psychologists Explain Your Phone Anxiety (and How to Get Over It). The article says people made or received six phone calls per day, on average, in 2015. I just went back and looked at my cell phone bill and I made or received 3.4 calls per day in the last billing cycle, of which I would guess that 40% are scams or telemarketers. So, I'm really not a phone person — unless it's somebody I'm close to (then I'll talk all night). How about you?


• Lent started on Wednesday and I'm seeing a challenge making its way around social media that sounds wonderful. On day one, you get rid of (sell, throw away, or give away) one item. On day two, you get rid of two items, etc. If you practice Lent, this might add a new twist.


• I received a postcard this week from a missionary couple I know. They've been working on uncovering the forgotten religious history of the region where they are ministering. "These stories can provoke them to rethink faith in God when they see the lengths that early believers were willing to go to serve their savior Jesus." Seems like a great tactic that any of us could use, no matter where we are.


• If you are looking to declutter, consider signing up for author Jeanie Jacobson's email newsletter. She's funny, practical, and offers spiritual insight for getting organized. Here's a link to her last newsletter. If you like what you see, click the "Subscribe" button at the top left-hand side of the page.


• I'm bummed out to see winter fading. I know I'm out of the norm, but I prefer fall and winter, when fire pits, cool evening walks, and snow storms work together to still the busyness of life. Expectations for appearances are low and time for contemplation is high. Yeah, give me a cold winter night and a good book over anything summer can offer.

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Have a great weekend!