Through the Eyes of Love
It’s a NEW way for us to see…
Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change…
This quote from Wayne Dyer has been a mantra of mine for years. So powerful and so true. If you looked at things differently, what would you see?
This morning is the time I set aside to write and the words just aren’t coming. Instead of becoming frustrated and declaring that I have writer’s block, I directed my energy to ‘know’ what to write…
…And I was guided to listen. I opened YouTube and in my feed was a video by Wayne Dyer. And in this video he shared a story that I haven’t heard in awhile — and it brought tears to my eyes.
Today I decided that I would share this story.
It’s the story of Mrs. Thompson, an elementary school teacher, and her student Teddy Stoddard. I have shortened it some for my article.
Mrs, Thompson started the first day of 5th grade telling all the students that she loved them all the same. This was a lie, as she looked at a boy slumped in his chair named Teddy Stoddard.
She noticed the year before that he didn’t play well with the children. He needed a bath, his clothes were a mess. At times, he would fall asleep in class. Not being the ideal student, Mrs. Thompson was at the point where she enjoyed marking his papers with a big red “F”.
They were at a school that required that a student’s past records be reviewed.
The 1st grade teacher wrote: “Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is a joy to be around.”
The 2nd grade teacher: “Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and his home life must be a struggle.”
The 3rd grade teacher: “His mother’s death has been hard on Teddy. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn’t show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.”
The 4th grade teacher: “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.”
Reading Teddy’s history, Mrs. Thompson now felt ashamed of herself.
At Christmastime, her students brought her beautifully wrapped gifts, except for Teddy. His was wrapped in a paper bag from the grocery store.
She opened each gift and as she opened his she found a rhinestone bracelet with missing stones and perfume that was near empty. As the students started to laugh, Mrs. Thompson declared how beautiful the bracelet was. She put it on — along with a dab of the perfume.
At the end of the school day, Teddy approached Mrs. Thompson and told her, “Today you smell just like my mom used to.”
Alone in the classroom, Mrs. Thompson spent the next hour crying. It was then she realized that she needed to quit teaching writing, reading and math, and instead teach children…
And that started with giving extra attention to Teddy. And as she did, he seem to come alive. She encouraged him and he received and responded. He became one of the smartest in her class.
The next year, Teddy slipped a note under her door declaring her as the best teacher he ever had.
The story continues on with Teddy in high school and college occasionally keeping in touch with a note on how he was and how she was still his favorite teacher. And one day, the note was signed from Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
In this note Teddy mentioned that he was getting married. His father had died a few years prior. Teddy asked if Mrs. Thompson would do him the honor of attending the wedding and sitting in the place that the mother of the groom would sit.
Mrs. Thompson happily attended. She wore the bracelet along with the fragrance his mother once wore…
As they embraced, Teddy whispered to Mrs. Thompson, “Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for making me feel important and for showing me that I could make a difference.”
And Mrs. Thompson whispered back, “You have it all wrong Teddy. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I learned how to really teach once I met you.”
After I listened to this story, I realized I had my story and I did some research. It appears it’s actually a fictional piece and one source claimed it was published as such in 1976.
That doesn’t matter to me. There are many “Teddy Stoddards” out there. We may have known them when we were young or have met once grown. They might not have had the success that this story portrays. They might not have a “Mrs. Thompson” who believed in them.
Has a Teddy crossed your life? And if so, how have you responded?
I have been sharing the importance of bringing more love into our lives. That it’s the most powerful force in creating the life you want. And now — how through the eyes of love, we can help others create their best lives.
How can you be of service to someone that you know — or to someone you may not have met yet? How can you open your heart and mind to compassion and unconditional love?
We live in a world where many are offended by what they encounter. Some even look for things to be offended about… Someone makes a comment and it’s taken the wrong way. Someone cuts another off or drives too slow and they are screwing with them.
It’s time to stop taking things so personally. I’ve written about this before — hurt people hurt people. Are you dealing with someone who is hurting? Are you hurting?
The story of Teddy resonated with me. Growing up there was a family on the next block from me. We went to different schools so my interactions with the boys were in the neighborhood and were not pleasant. Danny in particular was a real peach. I was maybe 8 or 9 at the time.
Danny was around my age and had a younger sister. I can’t remember her name but I remember she used to wear a scarf. I think she might have also worn a wig. She had no hair…
There were times when we would laugh at her — might have even called her a name or two. Our parents didn’t know about this. And we didn’t understand.
We didn’t understand that she had cancer…and then one day she was gone…
She had to be about 5 or 6. What was that household like after her passing? Years later, I realized why those brothers were like they were. What state were the parents in? What state were those boys in?
Did their story have the happy ending of Teddy’s. Not from what I saw. I hope as the years went on, things changed. That someone saw these troubled boys with compassion and love.
I have written many articles encouraging us to tap into our inner power and to find self love. Now I ask for us to tap into that power within and find love for others — especially those we struggle with.
And to understand…
What if we came from a place of knowing that everyone is doing the best that they can — given their model of the world?
And especially where our world is right now. There are so many out there not feeling the love. Can you send them some? Can you help someone who feels broken — open?
I feel 2020 is the year that can break you or break you open.
I hope you will join me in bringing more love and light to this world. Let us unite, as we seem so divided. Release the fear and move into love.
And here are some of my fabulous writer friends sharing their love and light: Trista Ainsworth, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Amy Marley, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Kathryn A. LeRoy, Ph.D., Desiree Driesenaar, Selma, Keno Ogbo, Nomanono Isaacs, Dipti Pande, Francine Fallara, Sandra Szubert, Erin King, Karen Madej, Ann K Frailey, Sumera Rizwan, MaryJo Wagner, PhD, Britni Pepper, Chowa Sekai, Ksenia Sein, Alison Tennent, Livia Dabs, Neha Sandhir S, Lanu Pitan, Sherry S, Agnes Louis, Chris Hedges, Paul Myers MBA, P.G. Barnett, Terry Mansfield, Rasheed Hooda, Henery X (long), Timothy Key, Tim Maudlin, Bob Jasper, John Ross, Joe Luca, JeffHerring.com
Always celebrating, Dr Mehmet Yildiz, Founder & Leader of ILLUMINATION
Until next time ~
Sending you light, love — and understanding.
Until next time ~
Be Well,
