信念 Faith

今天有一位學生跑來和我說她覺得自己在這個世界上很渺小,我任教的這個班級都是女生,她們相當的精明且有參與感,我卻在聽到問題的當下無法馬上開口,因為我突然想起十六歲的自己,我完全能體會那種感受。回到還是學生時期的自己,當時的法文老師Don Wallace對我影響很大,有一天他突然提到想帶全班至法國旅遊的想法,對我們這些沒見過世面的學生來說,去法國就和到外太空一樣遙不可及。第一,學校沒有任何經費可以支援;第二,如果自費對某些家庭來說是無法負擔的,但Wallace老師仍不怯步。

於是班上的同學開始了打工之路,我們曾在每週六清洗校車,接著我們決定籌劃一場大型音樂會,而我們只是一群對音樂會是什麼都沒有概念的學生。儘管如此,我們仍盡我們的所能將場子撐大,找來了當地的音樂家、雜耍團、和特技表演團來助陣。開場時間是晚上八點,我們七點三十即開啟大門歡迎賓客,會場是在一個蠻荒涼的地方,隨著時間過去,我們的心情越來越複雜,至七點四十五分整個會場仍是空蕩蕩的一片,時間來到七點五十分,這時大家都認為法國行已經離我們遠去。突然間荒涼的小路上突然傳來吵雜的聲音,人、車輛及自行車就像鮭魚返鄉一樣魚貫而入直到滿座,我們的法國行也真的實現。

這個經歷讓我思考對於自己和自己身處情況時的信念,所以我將這個概念解釋給那位學生,不要小看自己,我們可以成為我們想成為的人,如果我們年經時為人生建立了一個方向或目標,即使在過程中有所改變,過程會讓我們的心智茁壯,使我們建立信心,在這一段時期,父母和老師帶給我們的正面能量也很重要。當我還在就學時教育方式和現在完全不同,老師的指導方針就是能多嚴厲就多嚴厲、能多殘酷就多殘酷,高中時期班上66個人只有11人能順利畢業。教育對學子來說沒有任何啟發。不過這種情況在現在已經相當少見,這些年輕的學子很快就會知道很多權力都掌握在一些有錢、有勢力卻不懂得回饋到社會的人身上,我希望從中學到的這些的年輕人會積極改變這一切。我很欣慰和榮幸我有機會認識我的每一位學生,不論年長或年少。

Asia Tops Biggest Global School Ranking一文中將台灣在科學及數學的領域列為全球第四名,美國則排名二十八,我認為台灣人更能力成為主動思考者,唯有一件事讓我覺得有點擔憂就是電子手持裝置如手機與平板,有時這些產品會帶給學生在思考上負面的影響。Norman Vincent Peale說道:「當我們選擇不再隱藏自己而決定認識真實的自己,體會那個心境是成長時的重要時刻。」

One of my young charges said to me today that I feel very, very small in the world. This is a class of only girls and they are bright and attentive. I was, initially, at a loss for words because I remember feeling just the same way at 16. One of the greatest gifts in my youth was our French teacher Don Wallace. He got it in his head that we were going to have a trip to France. Now, this could have been a trip to Venus or maybe even Pluto, it seemed so remote a possibility. Firstly, our school had no budget for this kind of trip and secondly, not all the parents had the money either. Mr. Wallace was not to be deterred.

We started out by washing logging buses (1) every Saturday morning, next we held a raffle and finally it was decided to hold a huge concert. We, of course, were kids and had no “rock and roll” concert experience. Regardless, we proceeded with an enthusiasm that outweighed our inexperience. We found local musicians, a juggler and even an acrobatic team. It was going to be so much fun. The show was set for 8:00 and we opened the doors at 7:30. The venue was at the end of a long winding road: somewhat isolated. Soon it was 7:45: the visceral pain I was sensing soon began to get more and more intense, no attendance — no trip to France. The clock struck 7:50 and still empty chairs. I felt like I was going to die. Suddenly the road exploded with people and cars, and bicycles. The town came and filled the hall to its full capacity. We got our trip to France: it changed my life.

This led me to thinking about faith in yourself and your situation. As I explained to the young woman, we are as big as we want to be. If we develop a plan or a direction early in life, even if it changes, we will slowly grow in metal stature and gain the self confidence that we need. It is crucial, however, that the authority figures in our life, at this time (our parents, teachers, etc.), be positive and encouraging. When I grew up we had, what has been labeled as, negative teaching. Your teachers were harsh, cruel and demeaning. In my grade one class there were 66 students, only 11 graduated twelve years. There was no respect for education or thoughtfulness. This can no longer be the case. These young people will soon learn that power has been stolen by the rich and powerful who have no desire to return it or share it. This is where a person’s self -respect will be a critical element in changing the world and the young will have to do it. I am deeply touched by the many, many students that I teach: both young and old.

The article Asia tops biggest global school rankings places Taiwan is in fourth place in worldwide rankings in math and science: the US is twenty-eighth. Where would you want to study? Taiwanese have the capacity to be deep critical thinkers. The only danger as I see it is the electronic gadgetry, the cell phone, the tablet, etc., which may get in the way of intellectual development. The great thinker and motivator, Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993), leaves is with a thought: One of the greatest moments in anybody’s developing experience is when he no longer tries to hide from himself but determines to get acquainted with himself as he really is.

A small joke: A boy just broke up with his girlfriend. “You’ll never find anyone like me again,” the boy sobbed. “I certainly hope not,” was the girl’s riposte.

This week, please reflect on your own greatest.

Every day look for something magical and beautiful.

Quote: Most of us spend a disproportionate amount of time in a state of worry and panic. Action is the only solution: even mistakes can be rectified.

Footnotes:

1) A logging bus is a sturdy vehicle that takes loggers up to the actual logging site.