The Law of Giving

By Bruce J. Stewart

“The universe operates through dynamic exchange . . .  giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe.  And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.” – Deepak Chopra, Author, Philosopher, Speaker

Have you allowed a student to frustrate you – to rent space in your head?  When was the last time you invested a significant amount of time and energy into preparing and delivering a lesson only to have some students show apathy, disrespect, or belligerence?  This situation has happened to every teacher.  Our first thought is usually, “that student is so ungrateful, and so entitled.”  Or, we might personalize our thoughts by saying, “well if that was my child, you can bet that he would never do such a thing.”

If this has happened to you, ask yourself the following questions:

• “Did I remain in the present moment during the entire lesson I was teaching?”
• “Have I learned how to detach myself from the outcome of a lesson?”
• “Did I demonstrate respect and kindness with all students?”
• “Do I hold a grudge with some students when they are disrespectful?”

Here’s some advice that really helped me.  It’s very likely you have learned the axiom, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.”  I planned lessons meticulously to be certain that I could keep my students highly engaged for the duration of the class period.  However, I learned very quickly that I must also prepare my mind – to establish the best mindset prior to beginning each day and each lesson.  By consciously repeating affirmations to myself, I was able to shift my perspective.  My “mindset” preparation became as important as my methods, strategies, and a focus on critical thinking.  I utilized the following self-affirmations:

• I will practice the Law of Giving this day – I will share joy with all students today.  In return, I can be certain that many students will reciprocate and share their joy with me.” 
• I will stay in the present so that I can be as attentive as possible to all students.
• I will share a smile freely with my students today, so that they can reflect my enthusiasm for learning.
• I will detach myself from the outcome of today’s lessons.  Being detached from the outcome means that I will freely accept the present moment for what it is.  If a student is having a “bad” day, I will maintain my kindness and know that their struggle is an opportunity for growth.

Being detached from the outcome does not mean that you do not have specific objectives for each lesson.  It means that you will allow your positive energy to flow freely during the course of the lesson.  At the conclusion of the lesson or better yet, during your quiet time, pause to reflect on each student’s social, emotional, and academic growth.  The Law of Giving kindness, attention, and encouragement will always work in your favor.