Last night we went to a David Wilcox concert, just around the corner from where we live. I'm sitting there in the audience, just soaking in the music, the lyrics, the whole vibe. And it hits me - I've been listening to this guy for almost three decades now. That's like, most of my adult life.
And as I'm sitting there, letting the nostalgia wash over me, I start to realize something. David Wilcox hasn't just been a soundtrack to my life. He's been a teacher. Not in the traditional sense, of course. He's never stood in front of a classroom or given me a grade. But through his music, through the stories he tells and the insights he shares, he's taught me so much about life, about love, about what it means to be human.
Take his song "Show the Way," for example. Every time I listen to it, I'm struck by the profound wisdom woven through the lyrics. The song speaks to the power of love to guide us through even the darkest of times, to illuminate the path forward when all seems lost. It's a reminder that even when we feel most alone, most surrounded by shadows, there is a force greater than ourselves at work, a love that has written the very story of our lives.
That message, that truth, has been a guiding light for me through some of my own darkest moments. When I've felt lost, afraid, unsure of my next step, I've called upon the wisdom of that song. I've leaned into the idea that love is the great playwright, the great director, the great compass leading me home. And many times, it's shown me the way.
And that got me thinking about all the other unexpected teachers we encounter throughout our lives. Because let's be real - when we think about teachers, we usually picture the traditional setup, right? Classrooms, chalkboards, desks in neat rows. But the truth is, some of the most profound lessons we learn come from sources we might never think to call "teachers."
Take our friends, for example. Think about the friends who've been with you through thick and thin, who've celebrated your victories and comforted you through your losses. They've taught you about loyalty, about empathy, about the power of showing up for the people you love.
Or think about the books you've read that have stayed with you long after you turned the final page. The ones that changed the way you see the world, that introduced you to new ideas and perspectives. Those authors, they're teachers too, guiding us through the complexities of the human experience one chapter at a time.
And then there's the world around us. The natural world, with its endless cycles of growth and decay, its reminders of our own impermanence and interconnectedness. The cities we live in, with their intricate webs of history and culture, their lessons about diversity and resilience. Even the challenges we face, the obstacles we overcome - they're all teachers in their own way, showing us what we're capable of, pushing us to grow and adapt.
The point is, teachers are everywhere, if we're willing to recognize them as such. They're in the music that moves us, the stories that inspire us, the relationships that sustain us. They're in the quiet moments of reflection and the chaotic messiness of everyday life.
And the beautiful thing? We get to keep learning from them, keep being shaped by their wisdom, for as long as we're willing to pay attention. David Wilcox has been teaching me for nearly 30 years now, and I suspect he'll keep teaching me for many more to come. Just like all the other unexpected teachers that have graced my life, leaving their indelible mark on the person I've become and the person I'm still becoming.
So here's to the teachers, in all their many forms. May we never stop seeking them out, never stop letting them guide us through this wild, wonderful, endlessly educational journey we call life.
Glad to see you are writing Bob. Keep it up. You have a voice and you have something to say. I suspect you have a lot to say. And that is good. I'm going to mention again (and then no more) The ElderGarten by Sally Z. Hare. I think you will find good things you can put to use. Excellent piece on teachers! Thanks.
Posted by: Richard Owen | Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 09:51 AM