Changing Our Own Story Line…

Dear Reader:

Do you remember that momentous moment in your life when you realized that you had been trying to follow someone else’s path and not your own?

Twice prior to my teaching career…I had opportunities to switch majors over to medical/service or a secretarial career but something stopped me each time. I truly entered education thinking I would probably teach a year or two and then quit, marry, and stay home with family/children. Little did I know that ‘staying home’ was 34 years away when I entered Alston Middle School.

Little did I know that I would find my passion…and it was teaching. Who knew? God knew. My life turned out just the way it was supposed to turn out. And the wait to stay home and be with family has come true too…grandchildren family…the best. And wow…was it worth waiting for…

When I think back to the shy, introverted child I was at the beginning of my life and the “angels” who were planted to help me find my way…I am eternally grateful. I realize the biggest difference for me came from people (I knew and some I didn’t) who moved me along my path with encouraging words. These words literally steered me in the right direction.

And the wrong words…the hurtful words…they taught me how not to act and how not to go down the wrong path. I subscribe to Kelly Rae Roberts website and she had written a personal story on her blog about the amazing power of words…and how they can change a person’s life for better or worse.

How true…and we all need a reminder how important it is that we never say something that causes a loved one or stranger to detour off their given path. Thoughts from Kelly’s blog…

Rediscovering Our Brilliance

Kelly Rae Of Sunshine. Krae. Kelly Belly. KK. Kelly Smelly. Mama K. Kel. Kellogg. KB (short for Kelly Belly). KRR.

Just a few of the nicknames I’ve been given over the years. I never loved the Kelly Belly or Smelly. I was a husky-sized child for a few years and the belly remark stung. In fact, when I was 10, some kids teased me about my legs while calling me Kelly Belly and I DID NOT wear shorts again until I was in my early 30’s.

It took me over 20 years to unlearn something that I thought was true –something that some random kid (whose brain was still developing) said to me in 1985. Can you even? Now that I have a child around that same age, it’s impossible to imagine taking any such remark as truth, but when you’re a kid, these things make such marks on our paths, right?

I also had an art teacher in high school tell me she was shocked that my drawing was chosen to be shown at a local showcase for student art. I never made art again until many many MANY years later.

Sigh.

Adults and kids alike. They say stuff. And when you’re a kid, that leaves a mark. A lot of my spiritual work as an adult has been the practice of unlearning every single mark and returning to my original brilliance that was layered up with mark after mark after mark.

It is such amazing work to be revealed to oneself. To rediscover the brilliance that is no longer covered. To shine and to rise and to reclaim what has always been yours. It requires sacred excavation. And it is deeply valuable, life-altering work.

*When I finally put paint onto paper, my heart + life exploded with renewed passion and joy.

Sending love to all of you. May we all take back our brilliance and shine shine shine.Imagine a world lit up with all that original essence. CHILLS!

………………………………………………………………………………………………….


   

 

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Changing Our Own Story Line…

  1. bcparkison says:

    Yea for chelsey and her group of “farmers”.I know about hurtful words and the ones that come from teachers are the most damaging. I think that is why I hated school from the 7th grade on. Some teachers shouldn’t be teachers.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      There is a whole new future to growing food now…so wonderful. The sad thing about teachers who do damage students’ dreams and precious sense of beings…probably never knew they did it.

Leave a Reply