The Best Teacher

The best teacher is also the student. And you are your own best teacher.

We are, every one of us, teachers. We teach everyone we touch. Not by our instruction, however, but by our presence and by our example. We are all, every one of us, also the student for we all have experiences. And these experiences constantly push us to think about life in new and more evolved ways. We are constantly learning. We are constantly studying. You are both the teacher and the student. The teacher is the object from which something may be learned. The student is the one who is open to this learning. And you are both of these things. For by your mere presence, by your mere example, you cannot help but to function as a demonstration of some lesson to someone else. And by your mere being you cannot help but to experience life. And from these experiences you cannot help but to be inspired to reflect on life.

The best teacher is also the one who empowers you (not to follow the light of another, but to recognize the same light you see around you within your own self). And you are your own best teacher for only you have the power to impart this kind of power to you.

True empowerment never comes from an outside source. True empowerment always comes from within. The whole world may be singing the praises of your beauty, of your wit, of the value of your presence and your contributions to the community at large. But until this praise is affirmed within yourself, you will carry no real authority from it.

The best teacher always tailors every lesson to meet you at your personal level of understanding.

And you are your own best teacher for not only are you the one that chooses your own understanding, you are the only one who is constantly framing every little thing in your experience to appeal to your own interest.

In this consideration, the best teacher for you is always you. Have confidence in yourself. Trust that the higher power which you see operating through those you admire also resides within yourself and that it is there to guide you on the path that is not merely best for, but uniquely suited to you. Therefore, look not to others to guide you. Look to others to inspire you (and absolutely resolve to be open to that inspiration when it comes). Look to others to serve as teaching aids, not superintendents of wisdom. Seek all guidance within yourself. Measure all reason within yourself. This form of inquiry truly, and ultimately, can never err.

Each must shine by their own light.