Inspiration

these days, i think about how i would like to be an inspiration to my students. i don't want to just share/pass on knowledge.. whether it's math or another academic subject. i really feel like i want to be a spiritual blessing (and they definitely don't need to know that someone prayed for them) and also be able to teach them life skills. i'm still learning everyday. i mean i sat in a conflict management/resolution therapy session the other day and man, i wished i had someone speak to me on how to deal with conflicts when i was much younger! i've since (sort of) thought through things a little more and here's my simplified list of what i should do:

1. be open. basically, have a teachable heart.
2. be direct & honest, but maintain grace and kindness
3. focus on someone else's strengths

apparently today, i learned that the tone in which you say things matter a lot. perhaps i'm meaner to family - i don't know. perhaps it's been always this way - me not knowing how to interact with my own family members. living apart/away for the number of years i've had has probably just made things worst (things get swept under the carpet and are never mentioned in the open) and since there hasn't been a need to say things out, it's just status quo. hurt feelings build up and then, blown up some how. it's good i caught a glimpse of it today. i still don't really know to respond. i suppose one can't change overnight either.. but still, i can be that agent of change. my "baby" brother is now grown up and i need to learn how to treat him differently.. or well, "similar" to how i'm treating my friends, which interestingly, i feel like i'm treat them like baby brothers and sisters too. ah well, life is complicated.