Ellen Hitchcock: Articles
Discover the Teacher Within and Move into Possibility Thinking
In seeking wisdom, the first step is silence, the second listening, the third remembering, the fourth practicing, the fifth -- teaching others. -Ibn Gabirol

July 13th 2008 - Discover the Teacher Within and Move into Possibility Thinking
In seeking wisdom, the first step is silence, the second listening, the third remembering, the fourth practicing, the fifth -- teaching others. -Ibn Gabirol

Autumn is the season of harvest and supports our walking the path of the teacher. Wisdom, the art of living in rhythm with your soul, your life, and the divine is the human resource of the teacher archetype. The practice that guides us into our truth, our wisdom center, is the practice of letting go of attachment to outcome and opening our hearts, minds, and spirits to possibility thinking.
We can all recall important teachers in our lives, people who listened to us, believed in us, encouraged and challenged us to take risks and to fully express ourselves in the world. We, however, are our greatest teacher. Our life, our journey with all its wonders and challenges is a storehouse of wisdom. We only have to step into the journey of living a life of wisdom, a life of teaching and learning.
Personal mistakes and the mistakes of others are important teaching experiences; however, unless we examine them, we repeat mistakes and never move into true wisdom and learning. The four landmarks of wisdom—truth, reliability, integrity and honesty—serve as guides to help us identify harmful patterns and assist us in making needed behavioral changes in our personal and professional lives. (1) Truth is the ability to be factual, genuine, sincere, and loyal. (2) Reliability requires that we keep our commitments, agreements, and promises. When we are reliable, we can be counted on to “say what’s so when it’s so” with right timing and honorable communication. (3) Integrity calls for careful examination of our responses in relationships. Are our thoughts, feelings, and actions in alignment? (4) Honesty is more than truth-telling. The practice of honesty is guided by truth but calls us into discernment, requiring us to survey situations for justice and fairness. Take a second look at challenging situations; use these four landmarks as guides for correcting mistakes and making changes that strengthen us as teachers of wisdom.
The consistent practice of sufficiency, trust, authenticity and reflection facilitates accessing our inner wisdom teacher. We are in our sufficiency when we recognize we have value apart from our roles in life. We are more than the work we do. Trust—giving up the need to know, look good, be right or do things perfectly—increases character and gives us the strength to “shape-shift” and make changes without fear. Authenticity requires that we “see” what is real, genuine, and true, not what we want it to be but rather what it really is. Reflection—turning the eyes toward the heart, leads to insight—the capacity to see the unseen, which carries us into the field of possibilities and inspires taking purposeful actions that support our life dreams.
Silence is the healing salve of the Teacher archetype. When you are “walking the land of gray clouds”, uncertain what steps to take, sit with your head bowed, look inward, and ask yourself the important questions of the heart. You hold the wisdom you seek. You are the one, the wise teacher. As you let go of attachments to outcome (how things should be) and incorporate these sacred teachings in your life, new opportunities will present themselves. Trust your experiences, step into your wisdom self and live in rhythm with your soul, the true path of wisdom.

Ellen Hitchcock, author of Nature’s Magical Moments: Reflections on Nature and Self, is a licensed clinical social worker and personal life coach in private practice. “Wisdom Whispers” workshops/retreats are designed to assist people in exploring the deeper aspects of self so they can “walk the mystical path with practical feet” and be “change-masters” in their lives. Next Wisdom Whispers Retreat - November 7-9, 2008 For more information: www.creativementor.net or e-mail her at ehitch@comcast.net.



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Ellen Hitchcock
PO Box 6606
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
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