Lessons of a lifetime
Teachers come in all shapes and sizes. While our professors teach us things essential to do well professionally, our grandparents teach us about our culture, and even our alarms can teach us to keep trying again and again even though people are not responding to our efforts. Art, music, literature, movies and sports are a boundless source of inspiration and can teach us a lot about patience, empathy, teamwork and finding our own individual identity. Life has its own way of teaching us, but we must be open and mindful of the lessons we learn and not overlook them because after all, these lessons are the true wealth that we earn in our lifetime.
Hagrid from Harry Potter once said “I am what I am, an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth botherin’ with.’ An’ he was right.”
Even though sadly we won’t have Hagrid reminding us to love ourselves anymore, his lessons will always be in our hearts. Let’s take a look at a few more “teachers” who enlighten and inspire us in the most unexpected ways.
- Albus Dumbledore (from Harry Potter)
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.”
Dumbledore taught us to never be proud or vain. He could always find something to value in anyone, however apparently insignificant or wretched. He reminds us not to get caught up in our hopes, dreams, and worries about the future and the past — because it can distract us from the present. Is he telling us to practice mindfulness? Maybe, in his own unique way.
2. John Keating (from the Dead Poets Society)
“Just when you think you know something, you have to look at in another way. Even though it may seem silly or wrong, you must try.”
Keating inspired his students through poetry. In direct contrast to the school goal of preparing students for college, Keating taught his students that occupations were noble pursuits to sustain life, but passion is the reason to live. He encouraged his students to look at things differently when they thought they knew something.
3. Remus Lupin (from Harry Potter)
“It is the quality of one’s convictions that determines success, not the number of followers.”
Lupin taught us about discrimination, loyalty and friendship, and a person becoming better than their circumstances. Due to his perseverance, caring nature, and ability to connect with his students, Lupin is one of the best teachers. Having a teacher like Lupin would be great, though we could’ve done without the werewolf part.
4. Master Shifu (from Kung Fu Panda)
“If you only do what you can do, you will never be more than who you are.”
Shifu is reluctant at first, but he accidentally realizes that with teaching methods adjusted to an unusual student the whole educational process may actually make sense. Even though master Shifu is a red panda, he sure makes a great teacher. (Although we would like him more if he gives us a dumpling without having to go on a ten-mile hike)
5. Master Oogway (from Kung Fu Panda)
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘the present’.”
Without Oogway’s guidance, there was no chance that an indolent, slacker panda who did nothing except dreaming about learning Kung Fu could have become the Dragon Warrior. Oogway reminded us all that we are more than what we think. When a slow-moving tortoise can create the swift art of Kung Fu, we don’t need to look any further for inspiration.
6. Kabir Khan (from Chak De India)
“ Maine kaha tha na, team banane ke liye taakat nahi … niyat chahiye”
Mr. Kabir Khan teaches us that letting go is important when it keeps you from moving on to the next big thing. He decided to go for the position of the coach for the Women’s hockey team despite what happened in the past, and while he definitely wasn’t a ‘gaddar,’ it was only when he let go that he could prove otherwise and he did so with utmost grace.
7. Dr. Jug (from Dear Zindagi)
“Don’t let the past blackmail your present to ruin a beautiful future.”
Dr. Jehangir Khan is the philosophical teacher who helped us find happiness in life. He taught us that we must accept our past and move on, to build a future for ourselves and to look at life from a different perspective. Having a teacher like him would be amazing, and we’re not complaining about the good looks too.
8. Ram Shankar Nikumbh (from Taare Zameen Par)
“Har bachche ki apni khoobi hoti hai, apni kaabiliyat hoti hai, apni chahat hoti hai.”
He broke all the “rules”, by referring to his students as “Friends”, motivating them to think, instead of cramming, revealing the weakness of his childhood, that he faced the same difficulties in studying, instead of showing off his present degrees and qualifications. He made us realize that these were stereotypes, never meant to rule.
9. Naina Mathur (from Hichki)
“Tourette is in my speech, not in my intellect.”
Naina Mathur is a teacher who has Tourette syndrome and has to prove herself by educating a group of underprivileged students who are extremely mischievous. Her determination to make them better people ultimately shapes their careers. She teaches us that where there is a will, there’s a way.
We fly, not because we are special, but because life showed us the right direction through angels whom we call teachers. Just remember to be open to learning, growing and evolving and even the moss on a stone might end up inspiring you!
