Remembering that my life is good!

[sabrinamari]

An email received about 10 minutes ago reminding me that I am fortunate, essentially happy and doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing:

*****

Good afternoon Ms. Chase.

Do you recall teaching an Introduction to Anthropology class back in the summer of 1992? I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that it was a crucial turning point for me. I went on to study at Rutgers Newark and to major in Anthropology and History. Even though I am not working in the field I have been able to use anthropology in all of my relationships and especially in my career as a financial consultant. You'd be surprised! It helps me tremendously that I have been trained to analyze people and their needs from their perspectives without influencing the outcome with own ideas.

At any rate, 14 years later I was having a conversation with a colleague about the Wicca priestess I met in an anthropology course at Rutgers...I remembered your name and thanks to Google here we are!

Talk about the power a teacher has! I hope that you are doing well and am sure you have inspired thousands of other students over the years.

Please don't hesitate to call me if I can be of service to you in any way.

Thank you very much.

(Ex-student's name here)
Financial Consultant - Investments
Portfolio Manager
(Ex-student's Company's Name Here)

****

Thank you, ex-student. You reminded me that today is a good day, and this is a good life, and I should avoid feeling sorry for myself because overall, this is a pretty good place to be.

Feeling good!

If any of you are thinking about whether or not teaching is a worthwhile career, please give it careful consideration. If you can live on the salary, it can be a wonderfully rewarding profession.

Comments

Yes

[owllady13.livejournal.com]

You are definitely a very cool lady. I was in awe of your abilities in the FG class, and that is one of the things I will be posting about, should my shoulder ever allow.

Thank you!

Re: My cynical side says.....

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Hee hee! Probably good advice.

Ms. Cynical says.....

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Don't let him try to sell you any mutual funds.

:)

Re: Yes

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thanks, my dear. Actualy, I was hoping you might post a bit about your wonderful aromatics and how you decided on the recipes for the blends.

Re: Yes

[owllady13.livejournal.com]

And I may just do that too, though that will be harder to figure out. I never reallly *think* about it, I just follow my hand...

More in-depth thought is necessary, I reckon!

[onyxtwilight.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's so sweet! :-)

How's that for an answer to "hey, universe, I need a pick-me-up!"?

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

A really good one. I'm impressed---it's a very clear statement that I should chill because I'm on the right track.

I'm listening; I'll chill.

[willowoak.livejournal.com]

what a wonderful thing! both you for having inspired the student, and the student for tracking you down all these years later to let you know just how much that class and your teaching meant to him/her.

Go you!

[shaminin.livejournal.com]

Wow!! That's fantastic. It is always wonderful to hear something like that. Makes you step back and sort of take a look at your life and you're role in this world... I'm so glad she made the effort to tell you how much you impacted her life. You are a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, charismatic presence in this world.

Much love,
Shannon

[eponacrony.livejournal.com]

Wow what a reminder of the impact we do make on people. How great for you.

[onyxtwilight.livejournal.com]

[sarcasm]

Wow, you mean you actually LISTEN when the gods say something? What a radical, unheard-of concept. Who would ever have thought of that?

[/sarcasm]

;-)

[seedmoon.livejournal.com]

That's very cool. Being someone who had you in their lives for a while and then went years with practically no contact, I understand what a lasting positive effect you can have in someone's life.
There are quite a number of us who are thankful for having known you.

Glad that someone went through the effort to point this out to you.

That being said, I can't resist:

"back in the summer of 1992.............At any rate, 14 years later ..."
Too bad their grade school math teacher didn't make the same sort of impression. *duck* :)

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Yes...and this gentleman is a financial consultant. Oh dear.

But I am still grateful.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Gods, I love it that you guys can make me laugh even in the midst of Ph.D end stage trauma.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

{{{Shannon}}}

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I just need to relax about this whole Ph.D stress thing and have faith that it is right and everything will be OK.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

{{{willowoak}}}

[quiet-wyatt72.livejournal.com]

Ditto on the teaching. Every once in a while I run into old students in person or otherwise, and its really rewarding to hear them say they've opened up or changed in light of teaching.
--


So, didja get the package yet?

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Not yet but eagerly, eagerly awaiting! (happy bounce, bounce, bounce)

[methastra.livejournal.com]

That's just awesome. One to print out and keep a copy of in your wallet/purse/whatever for when you need that 'why do I do this' pick-me-up.

It's amazing when you actually encounter what happens from the ripples your life creates in the world around you.

Blessed Be,

- Brian G.