According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word selfless is defined as, "having or showing great concern for other people and little or no concern for yourself." When I think of selfless people, parents come to mind. More specifically mothers. This may sound super strange, but my short time in Poland has helped me to realize that I have a nurturing spirit. I absolutely love helping "my" kids when they need it. And I want to provide the best learning experience for them that I can.
There have even been a few moments when I have felt like a parent. For example, one day I found myself making a grocery list (a grown up moment in itself) on the back of an extra coloring page for my four year old student. I have also made small sacrifices for "my" kids. I really enjoy drawing and before I came to Poland I purchased a fifty pack of Crayola Super Tip Markers. These were going to be used during my downtime. Little did I know, they would come in very helpful with some of my students. In case you don't know, when kids color they press down hard. Hence the tips of the markers do not maintain their shape. This is something that I am ok with. The joy that comes to the kids face makes it worth it.
During these times I think back to the selfless sacrifices parents make for their children. Many times these sacrifices are huge, but I am thinking specifically to the small ones that are often overlooked. There have been times where I have wanted a treat or something that my mom has purchased for herself. However she put her own desires aside and allowed me to have this special something. Or maybe we were out and what she ordered tasted better than what I ordered, and she was willing to trade me.
When I think of selflessness I think of God. We are all His children. Being the Creator of all things He could easily have His way. But instead He has selflessly given us the gift of freewill. Sometimes we take this freewill and run wild. There are other times where we really want something and so we make it happen. And maybe this something wasn't what was best for us. No matter, God is there waiting for us to crawl back to Him. That in itself is amazing.
There have even been a few moments when I have felt like a parent. For example, one day I found myself making a grocery list (a grown up moment in itself) on the back of an extra coloring page for my four year old student. I have also made small sacrifices for "my" kids. I really enjoy drawing and before I came to Poland I purchased a fifty pack of Crayola Super Tip Markers. These were going to be used during my downtime. Little did I know, they would come in very helpful with some of my students. In case you don't know, when kids color they press down hard. Hence the tips of the markers do not maintain their shape. This is something that I am ok with. The joy that comes to the kids face makes it worth it.
During these times I think back to the selfless sacrifices parents make for their children. Many times these sacrifices are huge, but I am thinking specifically to the small ones that are often overlooked. There have been times where I have wanted a treat or something that my mom has purchased for herself. However she put her own desires aside and allowed me to have this special something. Or maybe we were out and what she ordered tasted better than what I ordered, and she was willing to trade me.
When I think of selflessness I think of God. We are all His children. Being the Creator of all things He could easily have His way. But instead He has selflessly given us the gift of freewill. Sometimes we take this freewill and run wild. There are other times where we really want something and so we make it happen. And maybe this something wasn't what was best for us. No matter, God is there waiting for us to crawl back to Him. That in itself is amazing.