If one teaches long enough, one becomes a time traveler. Watching countless 12-year-olds trade in their young bodies for newer models called teenager, adult, husband, wife, parent, and now in some cases grandparent, causes the past, present and future to blend into one moment. This is both a painful and pleasurable experience. It makes you wonder why it was not arranged so that youth could know and age could live. In Monopoly, once you take a turn around the board, you get to throw the dice again and take another trip and maybe rectify the mistakes you made the first time.
But in life, once you get to those blue squares of wisdom, you realize "excuses are the keys that open the door to failure," "the only way to have a friend is to be one" and "there is no failure except for no longer trying." Once you get to those "blue squares of wisdom" in real life, your "Go" has turned into a "Stop," because you don't get to go around again.
So, to all of you who are about to start your journey, I say: dress up your Barbies, but pay more attention to people than to dolls. Send your G.I. Joes into battle, but arm yourself with wisdom, not toy soldiers. Visit Oz, but don't be fooled by fantasy, rather, develop your imagination. Wait for Santa, but remember that there is more joy in giving than receiving. Sing your songs of life loudly and strongly. Sing from your heart and spirit, not just your mind and mouth.
As I sit in this body that seems to be aging, I suddenly remember the words of a great teacher. "The body is only a temporary space suit for the soul." Deep inside this soul I feel the stirring of a child who has lain sleeping for many years. "You know I'm not dead," the child whispers. "I've just been hanging around waiting for you to rediscover me.
With your new wisdom and my energy, I'll bet you, if we played again, we could win."
And slowly that "Stop" turns into a "Go," and I pick up the dice of life and throw them for one more turn.
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