LIFE: THE GREATEST TEACHER OF THEM ALL
On Teacher’s Day, let’s take a moment to look back on all the people, circ*mstances, situations and events that shaped our lives with the lessons they taught us. It is often said that there is no better teacher than life itself and what better way to say a big thank you for all the learnings that life throws at us, than being appreciative of these valuable lessons that makes us who we are.
Learning by doing, or not doing!
As a child, we are often told what we can and cannot do. But a child’s mind is curious and full of questions, and often when there is no explanation given for why we can and cannot do certain things, we do them anyway. We might end up getting hurt, but the experience itself teaches us a lot. We may also get to hear the proverbial ‘I told you so’, and ‘why did you do it when you were told not to?’ but whatever it is, if it caused any kind of pain or distress, you are unlikely to do it again. That is a lesson in itself.
We learn from everyone and everything around us
Living in a society, we are surrounded by people from different walks of life. We have our immediate and extended families, neighbours and friends, pets, teachers, trainers, helpers, drivers, doctors, storekeepers…the list is endless. We interact with people on a daily basis and knowingly or unknowingly, each interaction teaches us something. We learn by watching others, by listening to what others say, by observing actions and reactions, by doing what others do. Witnessing an act of kindness often prompts us to do something kind for others as well. Listening to what others have to say, positive or negative, has learning hidden in it. Watching a sporting event on television, walking your dog in the park, playing a game of basketball or cricket, having a conversation with your grandparents, buying groceries from your local market, dancing to music in your room, sitting by a beach, capturing a photograph, asking your parents how their day was, spending time with your friends – the most simple things we do has learning hidden in it.
Circ*mstances, good or bad, become our biggest teachers.
Very often, life throws unexpected circ*mstances at us. How we deal with those circ*mstances is what teaches us a lot about ourselves. Certain circ*mstances can turn our lives around a full 360 degrees. We question what happens to us and often say, ‘but why me?’ or ‘why not me?’ We seldom find answers to these questions, but the circ*mstances that we find ourselves in, however negative or positive, teach us endless lessons; lessons about ourselves, about others, about abilities within ourselves that we never knew existed, about new found strengths and talents, ways to deal with the circ*mstances and overcome them if required. And what’s more, we find ourselves better prepared to deal with things more effectively and efficiently, should a similar situation arise.
Listen to your inner voice
Follow your intuition. Listen to your inner voice. It knows you better than anyone else. When we find ourselves at crossroads in our lives, we seek out solutions from others on how to deal with a particular situation or person. While advice is always welcome, it can leave us confused and exasperated when we find ourselves getting advice from too many people. That’s when you look inwards, to yourself, to seek out a solution for what you are going through. Your inner voice is what becomes your guiding light. Engage in a mental dialogue with yourself and seek out your own answers.
End-note
In literal terms, life is defined as a characteristic distinguishingphysical entitieshavingbiological processes, such assignalingandself-sustainingprocesses, from those that do not, either because such functions haveceased, or because they never had such functions and are classified asinanimate. Quite mind-boggling, you would think! Now to a more simplistic approach to life. Life is what we make it out to be. We enter this world on our own, we leave on our own. What happens in between is what our lives are made up of. Life teaches us the most important lessons that are there to learn, and thus life become the greatest teacher of all.
As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the field of life lessons and experiential learning, my extensive knowledge and understanding of the topic enable me to delve into the concepts presented in the article posted on Sep 05, 2017, titled "LIFE: THE GREATEST TEACHER OF THEM ALL" by EdTerra Edventures. Let's dissect the key concepts and provide insightful information related to each.
Learning by Doing:
The article emphasizes the concept of "learning by doing" and highlights the childhood tendency to explore despite warnings. This concept aligns with experiential learning theories, where individuals acquire knowledge through direct experiences. Scholars like John Dewey have extensively discussed the significance of learning through practical engagement, emphasizing that experiences shape one's understanding of the world.
Learning from Surroundings:
The text points out that we learn from everyone and everything around us, including family, friends, and even daily activities. This reflects the social constructivist perspective, asserting that knowledge is constructed through interactions with the environment and others. This aligns with the works of Lev Vygotsky, who emphasized the role of social interactions in cognitive development.
Life's Circ*mstances as Teachers:
The article suggests that life's unexpected circ*mstances teach valuable lessons. This aligns with the concept of transformative learning, where individuals undergo significant shifts in perspective and self-awareness through challenging experiences. The idea resonates with the works of Jack Mezirow, a proponent of transformative learning theory.
Listening to Inner Voice:
The importance of listening to one's inner voice is highlighted as a guiding light during life's challenges. This aligns with the concept of introspection and self-reflection. In psychology, Carl Rogers emphasized the significance of self-awareness and the therapeutic value of an individual's understanding of their own experiences.
Definition of Life:
The article briefly touches on the literal definition of life, differentiating physical entities with biological processes from inanimate objects. This is a nod to the scientific perspective on life, encompassing characteristics such as signaling and self-sustaining processes. The text acknowledges the complexity of this definition, contrasting it with the more simplistic, subjective view that life is what individuals make of it.
In conclusion, the article elegantly weaves together various educational theories, psychological perspectives, and philosophical notions to underscore the idea that life, with its myriad experiences and lessons, is indeed the greatest teacher. The concepts discussed align with established theories in education, psychology, and philosophy, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the profound impact of life on individual learning and growth.
