Lesson Learned

I am thankful for the many people in my life that have taught me life lessons that I still utilize til this day. Not being your traditional student they used hypothetical or "real life" situations to get students more involved and understand their learning lessons plan much more progressively than the traditional student. Being taught this way provided a lot of life skills that kept me ahead of the game; such as communication, self care, confidence, time-management, entrepreneurial skill set, money management, religion, to name a few.

Effective communication was established and assisted in building my self confidence when I was a young adolescent. Many are taught at a young age that the adult is always right. I can think back to, Matilda the movie when the father gave her that oh so infamous speech that most parents/teachers and faculty staff give to children, "I'm right your wrong. I'm big, your small. I'm smart, your dumb." That whole concept is just fallacious. Early in my school years I was informed that all adults are not even as mature as some children, "common sense is not that common" doesn't matter how old you are people do things without valid reason. Many getting offended by the likes of you to even question them, something I got used to people getting frustrated with me about. Not that I was intentionally trying to upset them but understand the situation or how to avoid in future situations. Everyone will make mistakes. As long as we can acknowledge, learn and change for the better. Why should one be wrong for wanting to know why things have to be done a particular way? Much of the population are programmed to operate like robots just doing it without even a single thought, or knowledge of what they are doing. To cross-question a process is not always an act of rebellion nor does it make the individual right or you wrong, it means they do not know themselves let alone explain to others. I learned to not pass judgement on those for not knowing any better if not properly educated. How can one understand if they cannot explain.

Once I was able to communicate more efficiently what I was in need for, I was able to tell what I liked, disliked, if I was able to grasp or struggled with, so that I could surpass my current situation. My teachers always said the same thing, I was a good kid with lots of potential if I applied myself was a totally different thing. Truth of the matter was I never felt as though it truly challenged me. I slept thru school up until about fifth grade just doing the minimum pass most of my test. Back then testing was about 40% of your grade so if you can do that and a little bit of work they did not care to bother you.

Once I made it to about 4th grade, the teachers curriculum began to change. Hearing in the history books about the "Indians" or "Native Americans" was the term they used at the time was very troubling the information was very inaccurate. That was when I realized history was just that his story. Who wrote the book? A .... I do not need to say it we all know it was not coming from the actual people that were effected by these doings. That was the first time many people heard me speak, let alone passionately. People do not know what they speak of just heard or read. Learning "common sense is not so common". That was I began to question why I had to do particular classes, who even approved the school curriculum and how do we get the books revised from inaccurate information. From that point on I was fixated on proving how wrong they (scholastic system, books and the teachers who co-signed for them) were.

I actually began paying attention in school. Math was my strong point, multiplication and division was my favorite because the teacher would give a treat to the student who could prove that the teacher's book was incorrect. You had to show the work entirely in order to be rewarded. That was the beginning a lot for me. I began to take school much more seriously excited to have a challenge to look forward to. The teachers taught us never give up or be ashamed of where you come from because that does not define you a individual. The only person that defines you is you. Getting off of topic because the class was doing exceedingly well, one teacher took the time out to teach us about WSJ back when the paper was like $2 (that was expensive back then), she introduced us to the stock market. I also was reading the paper to keep an eye out for the real estate market. So, keep on doing what you do. I need that to be prepared for the other lessons in life I was not quite prepared for.

So great-full for the opportunity to have the teachers who truly cared about me. Things changed drastically when I had to transfer schools, learning that it had nothing to do with what you knew but who and what you wore. Major culture shock for me, but like other situations I adapted. I just knew certain things were not for me, always getting in trouble for things I did not do. Guilty by association so I began to be more selective of the crowd I kept to stay out of trouble. Being more with me, myself and I. However, just sitting in the wrong spot could make you hot, man was it terrible. Talk about a life lesson, one could never forget. I guess that was a life lesson about being a minority.

The teachers were culturally different went from learning about fundamentals, reading, writing, arithmetic to hard knock life, urban fashion and so much more. The teachers focus was so different. My class experience was very inconsistent due to shortage in experienced teachers wanting to stay. Things changed later on as the administrative began to change.

I learned about self-care, ettiquette, like painting your nails properly. I used to have over forty different colors changing up my colors. Sadly there were some children that were taught about proper hygiene from there parents or family members and it was very mean the way children and the teachers could be to children. Faculty and staff were at times worse than the students like we were not standing right there, killing what confidence was built. Made me appreciate the support I had from the people who taught me. Many of my teachers that I am referring to sadly are no longer around but the life lessons that I learned will forever stay with me.

Began to re-establish a relationship with a higher being. Exploring not just Christianity, learning about real black history and how we have been treated since the beginning of time. This did not just start when blacks were unjustly shipped over or conned out of their freedom.

By this time, I began to stir away from education again, the teachers did not care and neither did I. I learned watch the company you keep, never tell people what you are into because it is not meant for everyone to understand or appreciate, never judge a book by its cover because you never know who you are in company with and time waits on no one.

Fast forward to high school, the attendance officer was not feeling my tardiness and was the first person to actually stay on top of me for it. She actually held me accountable for my actions and I needed that. She changed my entire regimen when it comes to punctuality. Showing up at least fifteen minutes to a half hour early now. That's me usually, I'm that person. I know she looking down at me when running late saying to herself while shaking her head, "Rookie". She was always on my heels about joining track but that just was not my thing.

Being in high school I had my moments but realized even though I did get attention it was not necessarily the attention I wanted so I stayed in the library predominantly. That was my sanctuary where I could just be me. Things had changed but some of the books were as old as the city itself. Now that is history. Some people used to leave notes for the next person who would read the book next, going back to the 60's or 70's; how is that for a time capsule. I learned so many things but the best lessons were life lessons.

My lessons were all so unique too many to share within one sitting. Hoping you enjoyed the few that stuck out when I thought of the many people who have touched me. Never looking at one as negative because that is the way life has turned out. If I had not experienced particular situations there is no way I would be able to deal with certain situations. Some, worse than others. I had to deflect, rebuild and up but always getting back up.