Rubber Necking

"Turn down the radio...I can't see." We used to laugh when my mom would say that; most times on the highway approaching a fatal accident. Everyone would grow silent in order to get a glimpse of the aweful scenario. The traffic inched in solemn stares away from the horrific scene of overturned vehicles stacked and crushed into one another. Even as the distance grows further the image is still haunting; thoughts chase and grab the idea of  "what if" or even how easily that could have been me. if only we'd left a few minutes early or if i hadn't forgot my wallet and the image didn't flash exactly where I'd left it on the kitchen table as i was waiting my turn at the four way stop.

    You begin to meditate and affirmate that it wasn't your time. it wasn't my time. it wasn't my turn; all the  while slowly  and reluctantly but certainly you turn up the volume again so you can drown out the vision with audio. 

  There are so many things that blast in our ears on a daily basis that prevent clear vision. Ipods, blue tooth's, blackberries...fear, selfishness and unforgiveness. We allow these distractions to distort our vision making it difficult to hold on to what this life that is here for a moment and gone in an instant is really all about... Us, relationships, love, forgiveness, sharing, and comforting. We are here and have been strategically placed exactly where we are and with the people in our lives  can we fathom that NOTHING is happenstance? if we did we  would learn to cherish the here and now here on earth.

My experiences as a professor (thus far)

I can truly say that my time in the classroom has been more than a rewarding experience. I've had the chance to meet many intrepid students who have already made an impact on the world. In my daily walk, my age separates me from many of my colleagues. This doesn't mean that I'm totally green when it comes to experience or than I feel that I adapt to new technology quicker. It means that my students have found it easy to relate to me and my teaching style. At times, I've found that we share some of the same interest. All of which, make for a wonderful classroom environment.

My goals as an educator include enabling my students to be true to themselves at all times and inspiring a new generation of scholars that will not only graduate, but go on to obtain terminal degrees. There are times where the paperwork seems insurmountable and the extra tasks tedious. Like Murphy's Law dictates, these are the times where my students tend to drop by. Sometimes the matters are serious, while other times, not so much. However, I'll never think twice about putting cumbersome paperwork aside to listen to the student. There is no deadline more important that someone's son or daughter. After many of these meetings, I feel energized and more than capable of completing previous tasks.