Facebook and My Muse
A bolt of light flashed across the dark, dreary sky, thunder roared over the horizon and the merciless rain came pelting upon the tin roofs. Yes I know it was raining cats and dogs and yes that chime you heard ringing was no figment of the imagination, it was really midnight.
But there I was snug at home, still staring at the glaring screen of my laptop. It was already routine for me to stay up this late or even more, looking at the face of what I dubbed as my all-nighter buddy. My hand was resting quite idly on the mouse clicking on my decided answers on a Facebook quiz titled “What is your attitude today?”
Unsurprisingly, a quote I know too well was my result, “The difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person is their willingness, determination and motivation to work.” These attributes in me have been scarce or even absent these past few weeks. In whatever I do, my willingness seems fleeting, not always permanent.
Sadly, I was not alone in this department for I can also see the bored looks my peers are sporting and the long faces they held. It was if the muses that were supposed to be the source of inspiration have all been on vacation. Fortunately, like in all groups, there would always be that person or in this case a muse that would stubbornly go against the norms of the crowd. And that muse decided that I needed an arrow of realization pierced through my side.
It was a Tuesday. Every afternoon of this day would find my classmates and me holding our lesson plan books over our heads under the glare of the sun while waiting for a jeep to drive us to ABES or Andres Bonifacio Elementary School. Our school has this program where we shift from being students to teachers to our adopted pupils in ABES.
So with my usual uninspired disposition, I entered the somewhat stuffy classroom. But then what I saw next broke my mask of indifference and almost made me ashamed of myself. There was my student, Jay Ann, greeting me with a vibrant smile. You could almost see the sparkle in her eyes and smell her eagerness to learn. It was hard not to succumb to her cheery aura and I found myself matching her smile.
My other students came after a few minutes of my standing on the doorway and they were wearing the same look Jay Ann had. Their enthusiasm was almost suffocating and very difficult to ignore. So with a happy sigh and a hearty shake of the head, I started our lesson. But only after a few moments, laughs and giggles filled the atmosphere and our group was easily the nosiest in the classroom. I completely forgot my dilemma of being unmotivated because of the fun that we had. I bet that if my students know the effect they had on me, they would feel really smug about it.
During that small amount of time, you could say that I felt useful again. It’s like gulping refreshing water after traversing the desert with its searing heat. It’s as if I found my purpose again, my will to make this world a better place. Service to others really does leave you with the feeling of fulfilment.
As the common saying goes, “The teachers become students and the students become teachers.” But it being cliché means that history has proven it to be true at many different occasions. My ABES students renewed my motivation and I couldn’t help but feel grateful. In their own little way, they influenced me greatly. They were my muses.
So maybe when I take that Facebook quiz again, my result will change something for the better.
