a letter to my students

As I pack the car for my move to New Orleans, I was also putting to final touches on a closing letter for my students at the learning center. Each student I worked with received a letter along with 5x7 prints representing my dreams, a copy of a select folk tale from a book I used for teaching, and info on how to contact me in the future. I am truly thankful for the five years spent tutoring kids I learned so much from. Below is an image from the annual apple picking field trip I helped create, along with a copy of the letter, and one of the stories given out. Thanks

Student,

As this chapter of my life comes to a close and a new one begins, I would like to thank you for the time we have spent together. While it has not always been fun it has been a great learning experience that I have grown from, and hopefully it has been the same for you. If you ever have questions or are in need of guidance feel free to contact me. Keep this pack of items as it will grow in value to you over time. Below are my thoughts for moving forward from here. Not all of it will make sense now, but as you grow it may be of assistance.

Life is your choice. While young you have time to learn the ropes of society, but there are many distractions and pit falls within and many people young and old become lost. We live in one of the most entertained and least informed countries in the world. What does this lead to? Television is a twisted and wishful perception of life, teaching us to feed on drama that then seeps into our everyday life. Television was created to sell products, making corporations super wealthy and keeping the majority of the population numbed to the world’s true condition. Consumption has become comfort, a dangerous association for life. The fragmenting of our communities has been intentional to aide the growth of this profit game made to fill the void. Ask yourself who wins as this reality plays out.

"Whenever a people are separated, and they focus on what they do not have in common or label themselves different from others, it is a perfect disguise to keep them from discovering what they do have in common. This separation keeps people from banding together and becoming very strong." “Whenever people oppose people, those in control benefit," -F. Light

Be strong. It is a gift that you are here in this world. You are here to make a difference, but first you must realize and love yourself. This takes time and can be hard, and you must learn from the struggles life places in front of you. Don’t run from them as they are hard to escape, and running leaves you weakened by the stress of fear. Life has a natural flow to it much like a river. We must follow the stream like a fish. Those who resist this are worn away and at times can hurt those around them, by denying the natural flow of life. Think positively and you will eventually conquer any challenge. As you learn to stand up on your own, you will discover people who will aide you in your journey and people that will need your help too.

“The thing about living a lie is wondering when they will find out.” - Tune-Yards

“Those who serve life adapt to changes as they act. Changes arise from the times; those who know the times do not behave in fixed ways. Therefore I say, “Ways can be guides, but not fixed paths; names can be designated, but not fixed labels.”” - Lao Tzu

It takes love and an open mind to create. Start with small challenges. It can be anything from cooking a meal to reading a book to greeting a stranger. Prove to yourself that YOU CAN do it, and put your heart behind the actions you take. You will find that this overtime will soothe and strengthen your soul. Big tasks will present themselves over time, but first you must know that you can complete something, so start small. Try not to harm others for your gain, and if you do something wrong own up to it and people will respect you for that. Strive to not brag about yourself as actions prove your abilities more than words. And any word can be twisted to trick those listening, so listen and speak thoughtfully.

“Don’t be surprised, don’t be startled; all things will arrange themselves. Don’t cause a disturbance, don’t exert pressure; all things will clarify themselves.” – Huai-nan-tzu

"He who knows men is clever; He who knows himself has insight. He who conquers men has force; He who conquers himself is truly strong." - Lao Tzu

I am personally concerned with our disconnect from nature. Electric power is barely 100 years old and in that time we have quickly manipulated our living environment for luxury. Control of light and temperature alone has changed our way of life, but to what end. If you forget how to connect and listen to our planet you may get thrown right off of it.

Along with our connection to the planet it is important to connect with the food you eat. Food should be from the Earth, but much of what is eaten today is fabricated by chemicals and man made substitutes that slowly make us sick and dependent on the expensive health care system. Your body is the most important machine you will own, so consider how you fuel it.

The world is hungry for change and it is only a question of how it will go down. This is your time here and it is your choice what part you play. If you don’t exercise your connection to the world, your rights as a living being, your body and mind you will lose it. If you lose it those running the game will win. The struggle is what makes us strong. Move forward with quiet words, an open mind, and love in your actions. Change is a part of nature and simplicity is key.

"Mysteriously, wonderfully, I bid farewell to what goes, I greet what comes; for what comes cannot be denied, and what goes cannot be detained." - Chuang-tzu

Sincerely,

Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee

The Boatman

A Sufi Story from the Middle East

A scholar asked a boatman to row him across the river. The journey was long and slow. The scholar was bored. "Boatman," he called out, "Let's have a conversation." Suggesting a topic of special interest to himself, he asked, "Have you ever studied phonetics or grammar?"

"No," said the boatman, "I've no use for those tools."

"Too bad," said the scholar, "You've wasted half your life. It's useful to know the rules."

Later, as the rickety boat crashed into a rock in the middle of the river, the boatman turned to the scholar and said, "Pardon my humble mind that to you must seem dim, but, wise man, tell me, have you ever learned to swim?"

"No," said the scholar, "I've never learned. I've immersed myself in thinking."

"In that case," said the boatman, "you've wasted all your life. Alas, the boat is sinking."