It's Teachers' Day again, and I'm always very thankful to receive anything from my students. It's very difficult to explain the warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction that I get only from teaching; the feeling I get only from these children that I know I have made an impact on.
I have always wondered why, after to many jobs in the past 15 years, why do teaching still rank top on my list. During the drive home tonight, I pondered and I think that I might finally have an answer. Teaching itself is not the most enjoyable thing really, and anyone who has ever tried to teach someone anything will know. Some days it drains and frustrates me, especially after a long day in the office, but it always pays off. Apart from knowing that your students really like and appreciate you, I think the most important thing is that children are inherently innocent and straight-forward. You always know if they are happy or upset, or if they are telling the truth. However, I realized that the best thing about teaching is that I can truly be myself when I teach. I am the most honest and sincere when I'm with my students (and their parents). It's something that truly aligns with my principles and values as a person. And of course, knowing that you make an impact on someone's life is itself really satisfying. Every single student that came to me made great improvements. One of the most memorable moments was when a few of my tuitee saved 20 cents each from their pocket money to buy me a lemon tea from the nearby coffeeshop (because they knew that I like it). You know that they really like you when they saved their pocket money just to get you something to make you happy.
All these set me thinking yet again.
Recently, a friend said that her son do not really enjoy going to school and prefers to 'nua' at home. It's partially because the dad is in the property line and is usually 'nua-ing' at home on weekdays, at least that is how the son sees it. Thus, the son perhaps looks up to his father and naturally wants to mimic him. In another conversation with a colleague at work, she said that some of her very rich friends continue working simply because they want to lead by example and let their children know that they should work hard in life to get what they want. They do not want to sit around and let their children know that they can live a good life even without working
Recently, a friend said that her son do not really enjoy going to school and prefers to 'nua' at home. It's partially because the dad is in the property line and is usually 'nua-ing' at home on weekdays, at least that is how the son sees it. Thus, the son perhaps looks up to his father and naturally wants to mimic him. In another conversation with a colleague at work, she said that some of her very rich friends continue working simply because they want to lead by example and let their children know that they should work hard in life to get what they want. They do not want to sit around and let their children know that they can live a good life even without working
These conversations made an impact on me, and made me rethink about quite a few things. I do believe that the best way to teach your child is to lead by example. I'm not sure what I might get out of this, but it sure set me thinking. What values do you want to impart to your children and how do you align yourself with these values?
I think I have more than I ever need, I don't care for power nor title, I don't care to be 'rich' to lead a lavish lifestyle and afford material wants. I am contented and more than happy with all that I already have, and honestly, I'm not sure if there's anything else that I really want or really matters. I'm this contented with my life the past 30 years that even if I were to die now, I would die with no regrets.
So, what makes a life worth living? What makes a purposeful life when at the end of the day nothing really matters, or does it?
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