Blessed Moments - 2

This second helping of stories of blessed moments focuses on my encounter with a book that strengthened my resolve to continue my teaching journey. At that time, I didn't even know the book was already popular and that the author was gaining wide recognition as a result. I was casually going through the bookshelves at National Bookstore Katipunan one afternoon a good number of years ago. Picking up a book here, scanning through another book there, not really putting too much emphasis on what I was actually doing. Until I came across the book.

I had never even heard of the author, Mitch Albom. What intrigued me was the title and the subtitle of the book. And so I decided to browse through it. And I realized that this was a book about the author rediscovering his mentor Morrie Schwartz from his college days and the experiences and circumstances surrounding that encounter that made it very special. That was enough to convince me to buy the book. And I guess that was one of the blessed moments the Lord wanted me to have that day. Because when I got home and started reading the book, I was hooked! I finished the book in one sitting, though at times I felt it was hard to go on because I was actually crying. Crying because of the impact on my life of the Tuesday sessions with Morrie as shared by Mitch and because of the sadness of losing a very special person who made a significant difference in Mitch's life.

And that made me reflect on both my teaching journey and my journey in my walk with the Lord. One very strong realization I had that day is "My life may be filled with uncertainties, difficult decisions, setbacks and defeats but, one thing is sure, I have Someone who will be there with me ever step of the way." Another strong realization was "Teaching is my passion; making a positive difference in the lives of my students is what gets me through the day, whether these days are filled with joy or sadness." One quote from the book sums up what I gained out of that blessed moment when I shared Mitch's Tuesday sessions with his mentor-friend Morrie as I read the book.

I came to realize that I had found where the Lord wanted me to be in terms of my career because teaching gave me the opportunity to devote myself to creating something that gives me purpose and meaning. This was a venue for me to encounter and make an impact on young minds, eager to learn not just the lessons in the classroom but, more importantly, the lessons in life.

One aspiration I have as a teacher and mentor is to be a "Morrie" to my students, not just dealing with feeding their minds but also nurturing their hearts and souls. And that means not just being there for them in the classroom but even outside the four walls - when they need someone to talk to, to share with, to cry with, to smile and laugh with. This aspiration spills over to my being adviser to my younger brothers and sisters in Christ in Christ's Youth in Action - UP Diliman. I just don't want to be an adviser who signs request letters or who coordinates schedules and meeting with them but I want to be their "Kuya Manny" - when they need someone to talk to, to share with, to cry with, to smile and laugh with.

That is why I desire to have the time to devote myself to loving others and devoting myself to the community around me. And those countless blessed moments that I have had in being a "Morrie" or "Kuya Manny" have encouraged and motivated me to continue this journey of ups and downs. This is where the Lord has planted me and where He has given me avenues to grow throughout the different seasons of life. I am a sojourner and this is my journey - a journey of discovering more blessed moments!