We stand on the shoulders of those who’ve come before. Our accomplishments, no matter what we want to believe about our own gifts and grit are also the result of countless little gifts, acts of kindness, and contributions of others as well. Despite living in a culture that can at times perpetuate toxic hyper-individualism and feel like endless chaos and greed, how might you be a better center of calmness and kindness?

Throughout my teaching career, no matter what I was teaching, this is always my ultimate goal–to provide this for my students. I figure if I can do this, then, and only then, will they really learn what content and curriculum I’m offering. In fact, I’m only a teacher today because of the contribution of an unknown person at St. Olaf in August 1993. At about the time I had given up finding my first permanent, full-time teaching job, and had decided to go to graduate school in ecology instead, I got a call from Cannon Falls High School asking me if I’d be willing to come and interview for a job. I hadn’t applied for a job at Cannon Falls. Turns out, a late resignation right before school started led the principal to call the St. Olaf education department and ask for names of some recent graduates. I don’t know why my name, almost two years after completing my student teaching, was on someone’s desk, but it was, and I’ve been a teacher ever since. And I think that has been a good thing.

No matter what we accomplish, there are hands of the universe at work to help you along the way. Sometimes, it’s purposeful, like the kind of love and support I’ve been the beneficiary of from my parents and rest of my family. Sometimes, it’s a friend, and sometimes, it’s just a “random” person just doing their job. They are all little gifts that help us along the way and ultimately contribute to who we are.

We are not alone.

I’ve been working on some new songs, and just started the recording process with some fellow musicians/friends–at this point working on arrangements, with the goal to start recording soon. Those are some not-so-little gifts they are offering me, and I’m very thankful for their contributions.

One of the songs is this one titled “The Sweetest Thing.” It’s about a couple working to hang on to the memories of the “simple gifts” that others provide for them. There are too many hands who’ve provided “little gifts” and contributions to this song (like all others) to name.