27 January 2010
The Power of Our Beliefs
Posted by Robin Easton under: Hobnobbin' with Robin .
The other day I watched a video by my friend Steven Aitchison at “Change Your Thoughts” (Click title). Steve talks about doing more videos for his site and then shares some of his experiences as a youth in school. He discusses how our beliefs shape and create our world. His experiences in school might stop many. However, Steven didn’t give up. He went on to become a truly shinning star. His story moved me and inspired this post.
Robin’s Story:
My first grade teacher called out a list of names and said, “The following students are the Chickadees and will sit over here. Chickadees are quick and smart. Next came the Bluebirds. “Bluebirds are a bit bigger and slower but still quite smart. You sit in the next two rows.” My name hadn’t yet been called. Finally came the Robin’s. I pricked up hopefully because Mom had told me, “I named you Robin because Robins are my favorite bird and the first sign of spring. ‘Robin’ means hope, new life and great joy.” The teacher then said, “Now, Robin’s are an even bigger bird, so they’re much slower. So all the Robin’s will sit over here by the wall.” When my name was called I knew I wasn’t the first sign of spring. I was just slow. My heart plummeted to my gut and kept right on dropping for the next twelve years until I walked away from traditional schooling and discovered for myself the meaning of intelligence.
“To believe that the young do not feel deeply, desperately and wondrously is a grievous mistake.” ~ Robin Easton
All the way to eighth grade I was told what was not required of me. I remember sitting in Mr. B’s science class asking, “But what is gravity? How does it work?” Mr B. said, “Robin, this class doesn’t need to know that ’stuff’; only the really smart kids in 8-A and 8-B need to know that.” At this point my heart had plummeted so far down it had gone through my gut, down my legs and out my feet. I’d lost it somewhere crushed on the hard school pavement.
Something Odd Happened.
When I arrived for my first day of high school (ninth grade) I looked around the room and panicked. I thought I was in the wrong room and yet my class schedule told me I wasn’t. How could this be? I sat with all the kids who, for years, had been “above me”. I was amongst the “Chickadees”. I felt I’d finally been given an audience with the Queen in her inner sanctum. Nonetheless, I was sure someone had made a mistake. Should I be honest, go to the office, and tell them of their error? No, I’d just sit tight and not say a word. Each day I feared the principle would wrench open the classroom door and say, “Robin, you’re NOT supposed to be in here. Follow me.” It never happened.
Something Miraculous Happened.
Once I realized no one was going to haul me back to the “lower divisions”, as they were called at the time, I thought, “Wow, I MUST be really intelligent now. Yup, I can do this. No more D’s and F’s for me.” Although I’d always found school painfully boring, at least I now had incentive; my teachers had decided I was smart. All boredom aside, I went through the next four years responding to how I thought my teachers saw me. I got predominately A’s and B’s, and that was without doing any serious studying.
What We Believe, We Create.
A few years later I overheard a conversation by someone who’d worked at the school during those years. She said the classes had been so huge that kids in the “lower divisions” were bumped up into the “higher divisions”, just to spread them out. They did this alphabetically. My name started with an E so I was bumped up. This fascinated me and I thought, “So, they didn’t think I was smart. ‘I’ thought I was smart and responded accordingly. That means I can be anything I want. Someone else’s opinion is not needed to make me smart.” Right then, I decided that my “level” of intelligence would never again be determined by someone else. As a kid it had been, I had no choice. But as an adult I would not only decide how intelligent I am, but I would also discover what intelligence means to me.
In the Australian rainforest I entered a school without walls, one of the oldest and most sacred schools on Earth. I became one with millions of years of intelligence. In doing so I couldn’t help but experience the full extent of my own intelligence and the intelligence of the world I lived in. With time I blessed my childhood teachers, forgave them their fatigue, social conditioning, poor salaries, and let them go with compassion. I returned to that long ago hard school pavement, picked up my child’s brilliant heart and gently tucked it back into my chest. Life would now be my teacher.
“It’s amazing the things we learn about ourselves as adults, about being intelligent… It leads me to believe that school is not the ideal environment to become the person we were born to be, life should be our teacher from an earlier age.” ~ Steven Aitchison. — Dear Steven, it is an honor to know you. You are highly intelligent and very unique. You always were. Thank you for helping me get back part of my heart.
Love,
Robin
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
91 Comments so far...
Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Says:
27 January 2010 at 12:25 pm.
Robin, it’s more than obvious to me that they missed your true genius because you didn’t fit their narrow concept of intelligence. Wisdom is never taught or learned in school, they don’t even understand what it is. Life is the school of wisdom for those who are smart enough to pay attention. In the school of life, you my dear are a 5 beta kappa.
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John - Zen-Moments Says:
27 January 2010 at 1:54 pm.
Hi Robin,
I enjoyed your story. It always interests me to know what people got out of their school years. It varies so widely you know.
Me? I disliked school from 1rst grade until the end. I don’t like people telling me what to do, what to learn, and how to learn it. I was incredibly bored. Instead, I took the onus upon myself to educate myself above and beyond what the schools were trying to jam into my head.
From as early as I can recall I was mostly concerned with the nature of existence, science, philosophy, art, and metaphysics. I would drive my parents and siblings crazy with all my questioning and theories — and then I had to go to school – and memorize the dates and details of battles without ever considering the emotional motivation behind the aggression. God I was bored.
My unwillingness to conform to their methods, or heaven forbid to enjoy the process, kept me from taking on their opinions or any definitions that were not my own. I knew how intelligent I was, and I accepted that I was going to apply it only in my chosen direction.
I have noticed that intelligence, or IQ, up to a certain level, can put you in with the “in-crowd” (the Chickadees), but beyond that level it can easily alienate you. It is most definitely a sword that can cut in many ways. The more dynamically deep a person’s intelligence is, the more they must learn to handle it. Just having such intelligence is not enough to benefit you. If you don’t own it and learn to use it, you’ll be cut to ribbons by the rejection from others.
People fear what is different because it causes them to subconsciously question themselves in uncomfortable ways, and when they are in fear they become aggressive, and they judge, and they reject. We must be centered in our own values to cope with that.
Cheers 
John
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
John, you, again, raise some powerful points here. And WOW!, you were/are one determined, self-motivated, free thinking aware soul at a very early age. Sadly, by the time I reached high school, the torment from other students and teachers had been so intense that I worked out what I had to do to be “cool” and get in with the “in” crowd. and I WAS that from mid 9th grade on. BUT the price I paid was astronomical. I lost my strong independent will, my fierce nature and decisive knowing…..for a time. I was no happier, but at least I was no longer tormented. HOWEVER, when I went into the rainforest at age 25 I made sure I took back who I really am. And I had a “like it or lump” it attitude; this is who I REALLY am and I am comfortable with ME, “And no, you can’t have my soul any longer. I am taking it back for good, even if no one likes me.” It SURE felt good to feel ME again. So I applaud you for being able to hang onto yourself all those years and see it all for what it was and to actively educate yourself to boot. The actions of an amazingly awake soul.
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Linda Wolf (Insanely Serene) Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:46 pm
John and Robin,
I relate to everything you said here – and Robin, in your post – about how school does not fit for some of us. For me, I did well academically, but I suppressed my true self and hung around the fringes, barely fitting in with the misfits. I didn’t even know that I didn’t know how to learn! It wasn’t until I was in college and went on an experiential environmental program that I got back in touch with my own passion and curiosity for learning, and re-taught myself self-directed learning. That’s why today I am a big proponent of home schooling (though I have no biological children), and my partner and I are sending our 14-year-old to an alternative school where it’s run by kids and all they do is self-directed learning. Thanks for bringing up this important topic, education is one of my passions as well. I am enjoying all the comments here as well!
Thanks,
Linda
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:26 am
What a fascinating comment, Linda. I am so heartened to know that you too re-claimed yourself. That is self-evident from the power of your blog and writing. I just wondered right now if those of us who had strong personalities as child, found school more difficult. It made me think of friend’s child whom I’ve know since she was 5 and is now 13, but she was VERY strong willed, wise and knowing right from the git go. She knew what she wanted and had a strong sense of self. And school was exceedingly hard on her. She was later home schooled for some time and it really worked for her. — Your story about college and getting back in touch reminds me very much of my time in the rainforest when I realized that I not only DID know how to learn, but that I was very intelligent…and highly curious. That was an exciting moment to awaken to. Thank YOU, Linda, for your wisdom and solid knowing. I really enjoy it/you.
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nothingprofound Says:
27 January 2010 at 3:21 pm.
The more they say you can’t, the more you want to prove you can. So even discouragement can be a catalyst for success. That’s how it’s worked in my life. In spite of all the nay-sayers I’ve lived the life I dreamed of.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Whooo hooo, “Profound”, I love what you wrote here. Good for you. And yes, sometimes discouragement can be a HUGE catalyst. I agree! It has been that many times in my life. I am also happy for you and touched that you live the life you dreamed. That is soooooo wonderful.
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David Says:
27 January 2010 at 4:37 pm.
“I returned to that long ago hard school pavement, picked up my child’s brilliant heart and gently tucked it back into my chest. Life would now be my teacher.”
What an excellent sentence. I spoke to your sixth grade teacher and we both decided you deserved an A for it.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
David, David, I am sooooooooo touched that you picked out that one line. It was like you picked out some core part of me. It was my favorite line in this whole post. Just in writing it I felt I claimed more of me. It felt right, soothing and beautiful. YIPPPEEEE!!! An “A” from you, dear friend, is gold for me and a treasure in my heart. ) You made me laugh out loud!!!
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Linda Wolf (Insanely Serene) Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
I love that line as well, now that David has picked it out, and I just retweeted it.
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Wilma Ham Says:
27 January 2010 at 7:19 pm.
Learning never takes place in a sterile environment where they try to have one size fit all, that is where copying takes place, but never learning in our unique ways and never discovering our own unique talents. THAT is not honoring our uniqueness, is it?
Robin, you once more showed us that you are unique, how unique looks like and how you do things in an unique way and with that you wake us up to our own uniqueness and lead us out of our own educational nightmare days.
Oh Robin, we are part of a massive intelligent creation, who would we dare not to be other than unique and great and you my unique radiant intelligent BE-ing, lead the way and teach us, really teach us.
Much, much love, Wilma
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
“Learning never takes place in a sterile environment where they try to have one size fit all, that is where copying takes place,….”
WOW!!
That IS where coping takes place. As I read that dear wise Wilma, it really hit home that my entire time in school was a very taxing exercise in coping. It wasn’t until I got home from school and ran into the woods that my little body let down, relaxed and knew true beauty and intelligence. My sweet friend I LOVE what you wrote about being UNIQUE. It REALLY got me thinking about this a WHOLE lost MORE. It is something that I have always hungered for and it is still one of the focuses in my life. “Am I being my truly unique and authentic self? And not JUST being Robin in ‘relation to’ something or someone else. Just BE-ing ME.”
You are so right; when we can be who we REALLY are without ego gettng in there and judging ourselves as to whether it is good or not, right or not, whether others will like us or not, but be US without any external comparison at all, then we REALLY fly, we live in a state of perpetual Divine Grace. I know for myself that it is in being my unique self that all the doors in the Universe open for me and receive me. And yes, dear Wilma. Much, much much love. Always. Robin
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Robb Says:
27 January 2010 at 10:48 pm.
Kia ora Wild Sister,
All I will write is that the eyes of that little girl in the photo are the exact eyes I see now. Well done. Kia kaha!
Aroha,
Robb
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Wild Brother, I am endlessly amazed at what you pick up on in my posts. when I put that little girl photo on the page, the EYES were the first thing I looked at. I’d never seen that childhood photo next to an adult photo of me. AND my immediate thoughts was “my eyes (now) are the same eyes as they were as a child. I have to tell that there was a period from about 7 years old to 25 (before I went into the rainforest) that my eyes did NOT look like this childhood photo or how they do now as an adult. I had to go back and get that 5 year old’s heart. Then I got my eyes back as well. Thank you for seeing and knowing. Yes, Aroha…always, dear friend.
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Lance Says:
28 January 2010 at 6:39 am.
Robin,
I felt all sorts of emotions as I read through this today. You have a genuineness of character that touches my soul even more as I read this.
School. This can be so hard. And this can be so good. Being labeled – whatever that is – is a challenge. We all bring unique gifts to the table. And we rise up to what we believe in ourselves. Robin, you are a shining example of love, and I’m touched by that as I read here today. In fact, your recount here of your time in the rainforest sends chills through me. The most sacred school on earth…earth, and all it’s life…
You give hope to all those who are in any way challenged in life right now, in feeling “beat up” by those around them. There is so much beauty in each of us, in all that we have within us. I believe this very deeply, that all of us have unique and beautiful gifts. Your words today shine that so beautifully….
Love always,
Lance
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Oh Lance!! What a heartfelt sharing. Moved me to tears. It is so beautifully written as to be poetic. I am deeply moved by your depth of insight here and by your EMOTION. I can feel in your comment a heart that is very open. There is some great magic happening in you my friend. I see it in the comments you leave here and other places. I love what you wrote about giving hope. I think having been an “under dog” as a child, in certain areas of my life, makes me very sensitive to others who are or have been down trodden.
I too believe that each of us have beautiful unique gifts. Over and over I am astounded the number of people I meet who are truly remarkable and when I tell them that they are genuinely shocked and will say to me that no one has EVER said that about them or seen that in them. I am flabbergasted that someone could reach 40, 50, 60 or even 70 or 80 and not be seen. In light of that I am firm believer in acknowledging the goodness, the beauty, the brilliance, the creativity and more that see in the people I meet every day. For no other reason that it excites me to see it in them, to feel such brilliance in humanity. Thank you for your goodness Lance, you touch me deeply. Love ALWAYS, robin
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Nadia - Happy Lotus Says:
28 January 2010 at 7:22 am.
Hi Robin,
Your experiences at school remind me of mine. I was one of those kids that did not fit the mold so I always felt out of place and very stupid. The first time I ever heard a compliment about my skills was when I was 19 years old and it floored me because I had never known that I was actually good at something.
When I was a teenager, I realized that there were people who were book smart and then there were people who were life smart. I made my peace with the fact that I would be life smart since book smart people seemed so clueless about what was of value…or what I found to be valuable.
It would be so wonderful if schools would take the time to notice a child’s potential and encourage that potential instead of treating children like a herd of cattle and expecting everyone to do the same. Some people will never be good at math and that is okay. Every person has talent and a purpose
Love and hugs to you!
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
This is LOVELY, Nadia, I was just writing to Lance (comment above you) that I am forever blown away that people can reach 19 years old and even 90 years old and NOT be seen or complimented. That is WHY I feel it is so crucial to let people know when we see their gifts…whatever they are. For some reason I just can’t stop myself from doing this, not that I wold want to. It just feels the most natural thing in the world, but I also realize that it can be hard for some people to compliment others for a whole variety of reason.
I also love your distinction here between book smarts and life smarts. As I read this I remembered as a child that I felt this instinctively, but had no words for it. I went through my days at school with these words caught in my heart: “But I too have something to share. don’t you see it? Isn’t IT important too?”(Even as young as 5 years old.) I worked out very quickly that life-smarts held no value at school. There was no place for them. I couldn’t even find a place for them work wise in my culture either, when I left school. I think it is one reason I loved writing. I could express my truth and insights, and as a writer there was a place for them/me in the world.
I too would LOVE to see a school founded on noticing each child’s uniqueness and innate gifts. THAT would be amazing. And not pushing them into those gifts, but rather presenting them with opportunities to express or experience them for as long as the child was moved to do so. Love and hugs right back to you my dear friend. Robin
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Trish Scott Says:
28 January 2010 at 8:28 am.
Ah childhood. I don’t know where anyone ever came up with the idea that it is a wonderful time. Same folks who gave us Santa Claus I suppose. In my post The Lesson From Piss Ant Flat http://scottfree2b.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/the-lesson-from-piss-ant-flat/ which explores childhood learning/understanding I summed it up with;
“Thank you to all of you who are trusted to look after children’s’ delicate natures, who fail to see past your own stupidity and self loathing, to give the gift of inoculation to these very attitudes. Thank you. “
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I will read your post Trish and am grateful for the link because you are truly a UNIQUE soul. I look froward to your insights. AND I know that you will not beat around the bush. You are forthright and tell it like it is, which I love. With the astounding skills that you were born with for “seeing” and “hearing” I bet your life journey is a whole book in itself.
*** 15 munites later: Okay, my curiosity got the better of me and I HAD to rush over (RIGHT NOW) and read what you wrote!! I LOVE IT. I left you a comment Trish. What a tale. I could relate to what was said to you sooooo much. Been through that more times that I can remember. But I don’t think I handled it quite as was well as you did, not when I was younger. Now, I am much smarter and don’t “wear” so much of other people’s “stuff”. I say, “If it feels ‘off’ it’s because it IS ‘off’.” Bless you dear heart for making my day!!!
NOTE TO READERS: If you want to read a comical, insightful and delightful post click the above link that Trish left in her comment.
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Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord Says:
28 January 2010 at 12:35 pm.
Robin, whenever I read your posts, I feel such a gentle, loving energy fill me. Thank you, first and foremost, for that.
Your story is such a poignant demonstration of how our beliefs shape our reality. My gosh, your story just stopped me and made me recall my own childhood experience, which was the opposite. Somehow, I slipped into the “smart kid” group early on. When I reached high school, I was at the top of my class, but I remember thinking it wasn’t because I was so much smarter than anyone else. Instead, I was good at memorizing things, and also my name preceded me (by that I mean that teachers had heard I was smart and graded me as such from year to year).
These days, I wouldn’t say I’m as intelligent as my secondary education told me I was. I was lucky – that’s all!
More importantly, these days I know that true wisdom comes from the heart.
That’s the only intelligence I think I’d ever want to be judged by.
Sending you incredible love, Robin, and many thanks for being such a wonderful force in this world.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Thank you dear Megan for your kind words. They touch me very much. What is interesting is that YOU have the same affect on me. Like I said the other day on your blog, JOYGIRL is truly the RIGHT name for you, for how you live and treat others.
I LOVED hearing your story and cherish the honest way in which you told it. So humbly. It REALLY got me thinking about how when I reached high school and I thought that the teachers saw me as smart, that I wanted to prove to them that I was…AND YET, it wasn’t that my “thoughts” made me magically smarter. Because I still hated school and was bored out of my mind….but what I DID realize was that I was VERY good at short term memorizing. I would memorize all the facts that I thought the teacher would ask on a test and them make a story out of them. So then in class all I had to do was silently re-tell myself the story and I could recall the facts I’d learned. BUT two days later all was forgotten. Except for French and creative writing. I naturally excelled in those classes, without even trying.
Most important here is your singularly beautiful lines: “More importantly, these days I know that true wisdom comes from the heart. That’s the only intelligence I think I’d ever want to be judged by.” Moi aussi, ma cher ami d’aimer. (Me too, my dear loving friend) I am profoundly moved by your willingness to love, to give with open heart and generous spirit. You stand out in this way, a truly beautiful light. Love, Robin
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Steven Aitchison Says:
28 January 2010 at 12:44 pm.
Robin, you are one of the most intelligent people I know and I truly believe your mother when she said:
“Robin’ means hope, new life and great joy.”, that’s what you bring to my experience of the internet.
I really mean it when I say I am deeply touched that you believe in me so much, sometimes I have to get out of the old pattern of not believing in myself and keep walking through the power of belief, and with candles such as yourself, Jonathan Wells and Dragos Roua my path is always shining.
Regarding intelligence; it’s not the belief we have in ourselves per se, it’s the power of the beliefs of others that gets to us, we just have to learn to ignore other peoples beliefs.
Thank you a million times Robin
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Aww, Steve, I cherish your words here. They reflect your highly sensitive nature. Well, my dear friend, trust me when I say that you have really encouraged and lit my path is huge ways. I’m sure far more than you may yet grasp. So we encourage each other and that is what makes it magical. The more I hear of your story, the more I see confirmed for me what I saw in you right from the git go. You have a great story to tell, one that will heal and help many people. All you need do is be what you’ve been doing all along…be yourself. Believe me, that is MORE than enough. I also loved what you said about other people’s beliefs. YES!! And thank YOU dear Steven. Hugs, Robin
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Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, CPC Says:
28 January 2010 at 12:58 pm.
Such a powerful story! Thanks for sharing it. I wanted to cry for little Robin…However I know she turned into an amazing woman!
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Oh Tara, this is SUCH a precious comment. It really means the world to me. It made me immediately feel how happy I am that your beautiful little girl has someone who sees her. How blessed you are to have each other. Your words about me went right into my heart. Thank you for such tender kindness.
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Amanda Linehan Says:
28 January 2010 at 5:08 pm.
Hi Robin – Wow. I guess what we are told about ourselves and what we actually believe about ourselves are two different things, but sometimes seem like they are one. Life opens up quickly to us when we look for ourselves as best we can, while taking what we have been told about ourselves with a grain of salt (or maybe an entire pinch!)
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
This is GREAT dear Amanda! It really got me thinking when you said: “…what we are told about ourselves and what we actually believe about ourselves are two different things, but sometimes seem like they are one.” I had these thoughts.
I think we not only really need to be aware of what we are thinking about ourselves, but what we are taking in as truth from OTHERS, and what they are thinking/saying about us. As I’m sure you know, no matter what anyone thinks or says to us, it is irrelevant IF we choose not to take it in. If we choose to look at it and ask, “Do I believe this is true of me?” If not, we can let it go. It’s not ours.” My husband does this VERY well. He once told me that if someone says something “about” him, to him, that he asks himself if HE feels like it is true or not. If not he simply lets it go. Like being in a store, trying on an article of clothing and putting it back on the rack when it doesn’t fit. It requires being really honest with ourselves, but I believe being honest is something we can ALL innately do. Especially if we see that we don’t have to defend ourselves, that we are just checking out something with no attachment to it. It takes a bit of practice but is easily learned.
I ALSO had this thought from your comment. I have found that the more “I” know who I am, the more “I” believe in myself, the more empowered “I” am….then the world seems to reflect that back to me. It is quite remarkable. I’ve never thought about that in quite this way until I read your comment here. So thank you soooo much. You’re wonderful!!
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Bern ~ Walking in Stillness Says:
28 January 2010 at 5:20 pm.
That is wonderful story to show that we are only what we believe we are to be. I have a similar but different story where I was just a quiet child and didn’t respond to what the teachers were saying. They told my parents I had a problem. Looking back, I would have to say they were reflecting upon themselves and that they were the one’s with the problem. I was just a still being.
However, in the fourth grade I met the smartest girl in the classroom and who became the smartest girl in high school too. She made me begin to resonate. I wanted to get her attention, so I started to emulate her apptitude. Suddenly, I was considered one of the smarter kids in the schools I attended. But I didn’t buy into it. I just knew how to read the teachers and saw exactly what it was that they wanted. Its not that I tryed in school….there was nothing to try….I just reflected what they wanted to see. It wasn’t till college that I decided to figure out why everyone was playing this game and why people didn’t even succeed at playing it very well. Eventually I stopped playing altogether, and began my own journey through the wilderness on route to Being me once Again.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Wow!! Bernie, this gave me goose bumps! I felt you were talking about so much of my life. I love this story you shared. It is beauuutiful. This line moved me to tears as I have seen this in you: “I was just a still being.” YES! Very much so. And the part about “…seeing exactly what they wanted…” made me realize that this was also part of my awakening. I worked out what they wanted and then a way to give it with minimal effort on my part.
What a beautiful soul you were then and are today. Your words about beginning “your own journey through the wilderness on route to be being you once again” REALLY resonated with me. Nature just IS. She does not judge or lie or manipulate in anyway. I found the most intense love and infinite compassion that I had ever known. In the wild I too knew Robin…once again. I find your relationship with Earth deeply moving and really beyond words. I am so grateful for all you share and ARE. You have become what you love and it is exquisitely beautiful.
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Stacey Says:
28 January 2010 at 5:46 pm.
Robin,
How beautifully you share your story! This is such a spectacular illustration of how poorly our school system seems to serve our children, and I believe it has only gotten worse with time.
I grew up in one area, but often switched schools, between private, public, and a moment of homeschool. This gave me an interesting perspective on the world of schooling/learning, one that many do not get to experience in one lifetime. I saw many different teaching styles, good teachers, really bad teachers, and teachers who’s hands were tied by the school system they taught for.
No school I went to was perfect, although I did enjoy some MUCH more than others. I did tend to prefer the private schools, and probably would have flourished with homeschool if that had been a larger part of my life. I saw so many times how the public schools were trying to force everyone to fit into the round hole, whether or not they were square, triangular, or any number of other shapes. I witness very little that the school systems seem to do good for most kids. I think there are a select few that thrive in the current system, and everyone else is miserable, being forced to follow the same path.
Why can we not develop a learning system that encourages each individual to follow their passions? Why does each person have to learn the same exact information, forcing us all into the mold of what is “ideal”. And when we are trying to force everyone into one mold, then there are ‘classifications’ of intelligence (such as you were placed into), because some people resonate with the information being taught, while others might just need a slightly different teaching style to understand the same information.
I could go on and on about education, and the endless ways it seems to set our youth back, rather than being a vehicle to propell them forward in life. I would love to see a change in schooling, until that happens I highly encourage people to homeschool their children, because within this perameter one can encourage their child to shine bright!
Your story also beautifully illustrates the power of intention. A concept that works strong in all aspects of our life! When we believe in ourselves, we can truely accomplish anything we want! Thank you for remembering that within yourself so that you could be a star shining so brilliant in our world!
[Reply]
Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 9:48 am
Oh Stacey!! You are sooooo lovely. This whole passionate sharing really moved me. I want you for my teacher!! LOL! Your awareness of the uniqueness we each posses is very strong. As I was reading this I thought, “Wow, imagine if all my teachers had had Stacey’s outlook. I would have THRIVED!! Love your analogy of a “square child” being forced into a round hole. I know people use this expression, but somehow the passionate and truly genuine way that you expressed it literally made my body FEEL how I felt as a child. And I thought, “Stacey REALLY sees kids/people…AND appreciates individuality.”
I also was fascinated by your school background. It’s amazing the diversity of experience you had. I couldn’t help but wonder if THAT was part of the reasons you are so free thinking. I’m sure were there times, like you said, that is was hard to switch schools, but at the same time maybe nothing was long enough to TOTALLY cram you into a round hole….at least not for long. AND what an amazingly strong spirit you had to have constant change so young.
I taught piano to kids who’d previously had traditional piano lessons and “failed’, but still wanted to play the piano. I can’t read a note of music and these kids EXCELLED. I first assessed where THEY were at on every level, emotionally, mentally, physically (attention space and what drew their attention), and also in terms of HOW they best learned. So I met them where THEY were at. And they truly were brilliant souls. EVERY single one of them. I simply showed them how I saw the piano (and talked to them as my equal), how I heard and felt music, and then showed the patterns I saw on the piano and how I went into myself to hear music. Stacey, these children learned how to transpose music without me EVER mentioning that word or showing them how to do it. They created REMARKABLE songs that came from their heart and soul. They learned to see the piano as something that simply made sounds and from their decided what sounds THEY liked, and what sounds did they like NEXT to each other, note-by-note.
Oh Stacey your passion for freedom and individuality is SO life-giving. It fills me like clear clean rain. We humans so often underestimate the ALREADY brilliant intelligence of children, and each other as adults. My culture and especially the school system goes into “teaching” with the intent of filling children’s head with “stuff” instead of seeing and honoring what ALREADY exists, who and what children ALREADY are. We don’t really need schools that TEACH; we need schools that inspire and create opportunities for children to express the passion and intelligence that is inherent in ALL life. Dear Stacey you have moved me to tears today and given me the gracious (and spacious) opportunity to explore my own feelings about this. For that I am eternally grateful. Thank you dear one for being one who inspires the magical child in me. You are a beautiful and blessed soul.
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journeytime Says:
29 January 2010 at 12:25 am.
Sometimes it takes a long time to surrender the accumulation of conditioning to find one’s own authenticity and live in the moment of the now.
namaste
d
[Reply]
Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 10:12 am
Hey my dear creative otherworldly friend. So good to experience you here. And YES, shedding unnecessary conditioning and “going home” can not only sometimes take a long time, but it can sometimes take drastic life-events to awaken us, events that may “seem” horrendous, ugly, not “right”. unfair, and so on…and YET, they can create cataclysmic shifts in the course of our lives, shifts in our perception, shifts that we may desperately need… and might not create on our own. Namaste my wise friend. Robin
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Tweets that mention Naked In Eden Blog – Robin Easton » The Power of Our Beliefs -- Topsy.com Says:
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suzen Says:
29 January 2010 at 2:04 pm.
Hi Robin! Uh-oh, your heart and soul are showing again! Very moving story, Robin. Your writing is like a beautiful painting, rich colors and textures and so much light!!!!
Your “school” in the rainforest is the one we should all have! My reputation for taking on the educational system here, preceded me to every school board meeting! I plum wore myself out years ago! If I were God for a Day, I’d have all the schools cleaned and burned and start over again.
My dad used to tell me education never meant you were intelligent but he still made me go to school! I do believe there is “book smart” and “intelligent” and they do not necessarily accompany one another. Having a true and open thirst for learning and experience, which you no doubt brought with you on your journey, rewarded you a hundred-fold in what you took away from that experience I’m sure! I know I’ve found that by being open to learning, especially now in my senior years, helps to keep me alive and in awe.
And learning from you is WONderful!
Hugs
SuZen
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 10:38 am
Uh-oh! yes, my heart and soul ARE showing, BUT not ALL see them like you do, dear SuZen. Lucky ME to be seen by one so kind and loving!!! As you read from my story that was not always the case (to be seen by wise loving souls). Wow, so you are not only a beautifully gentle soul, but you are a warrioress who braved the ridged school system. I am very impressed by that. Although you wore yourself out, which I can understand, I am so proud of you for actively trying to bring positive change into the lives of children.
You raise such an important distinction here between book smarts and intelligence and the fact they don’t always accompany each other. This is SO true. Something else you said here REALLY helped me and brought me more awareness. You said, “Having a true and open thirst for learning and experience,…” when I read that is was like a light bulb going off. I realized that although I found school boooooring, I ALWAYS loved learning. But to have to sit still for hours and hours in rooms that often had no windows, year after year, was prison for me. And if there was a window, I was constantly told to stop looking out the window. I remember how I used to lose myself looking out the second story classroom window at the swaying tops of trees. Those trees kept me sane.
I too find that being open to learning and new experiences keeps me alive and in love with life. You are SUCH an inspiration and so loving Suzen. I always go away from interaction with feeling soothed and really loved. Thank you for that. I am hugging you right back. Robin Your words here today helped me. So I too am learning SO much from you. Hugging you. Robin
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Evita Says:
29 January 2010 at 4:46 pm.
Hi Robin
I cannot tell you how my heart cries out a bit, having been a teacher myself, that any teacher would ever segregate kids like that or say things like that. But I was in the school system and sadly to admit this, I am aware it still happens to some degree. It just all depends on what teacher the children get.
I loved your story and what can I add here…all you said is so, so very true! We conform to what we think is expected of us or believed about us. It is only once and after we step away from the labels and judgments of others that we soar and find out who we truly are.
You know I cannot help it but this story takes me back to my teaching days with the kids, well teens I should say. I loved them all so much and I made sure they knew it. And in return I got angels as students… it was perhaps one of the greatest gifts I ever received in my life.
That is definitely the one part I miss about not teaching any more – the students. But I knew I had to move on and teach on a different level. The whole school system has too many limit s and too many constraints, and well… I just grew out of them 
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Oh my word, dear Evita, this just blew me away: “I loved them all so much and I made sure they knew it. And in return I got angels as students… it was perhaps one of the greatest gifts I ever received in my life.”
I got immediate tears in my eyes reading that. What a LOVE you are. They would have ALL adored you, worshiped you, BECAUSE you loved them. I find it very chilling that in the USA we separate love from learning in school, that we more often than not offer a sterile learning environment for our children, one filled with control, devoid of emotional and creative expression. As I read your words above it REALLY hit the extend of how you were/are as a teacher. Do you know, if those students never have another teacher like you, they will, nonetheless, NEVER forget YOU. Years later in life they will remember that ONE teacher who was soooo loving and kind and gentle. AND they will draw on that for contrast in their lives. You will be the marker called LOVE. Bless you dear soul.
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Lita C. Malicdem Says:
29 January 2010 at 8:45 pm.
Robin, I’ll never forget this childhood story as I was once a teacher myself. It pains me to know this. I taught the “cream-of-the-crop” classes but without having to do with the selection of students. To be fair, really, I let the other 5 teachers who were assigned in the lower sections of the grade six classes to do the screening. I also taught the other classes because of English subject as my specialization. And I used to discover children from the lower classes who were better than those given to me.
To correct the occurrence of this the following years, I was again saved because there was already an aptitude test given before the enrollment. However, no matter how the school tried to prevent errors, they would still happen. We talked to parents and we would also win them over to the higher sections during the school year or after they finished the grade.
Yes, there were those who did good in their high school years. We called them “late bloomers”. Perhaps they experienced the same as you did the first time you were misjudged. We can never tell what factors made them do better, except perhaps that they had grown with age and experience that they finally understood themselves.
Thank you for sharing this.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 11:35 am
What a wonderful comment from you, Lita…and from one who was on the teaching side of things. I not only appreciate your story, but your honesty and insight. I was fascinated that you sometimes discovered students from the “lower” divisions who did better than the ones given you. There are SO many factors involved. Some of those that you discovered may not have been as good at learning things in the “standard” way, and YET their determination and desire to be “seen” and learn may have been stronger. There are things in my life that do not come naturally to me, for example technology…and yet, I am very determined to learn it because I can then make changes to my blog, my website and so forth as “I” need them…and save money!! So that determination takes me a long way. I tend to be VERY determined and was even as a child. I used to sit through the “grades” thinking, “You just wait. You just wait, the first chance I get I will prove you ALL wrong.” Lol!! And I did.
Thank YOU dear Lita for taking the time to share your story and insights here. It is a gift. I really enjoy and value them. You inspired me to better understand myself.
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Curious Lassie Says:
29 January 2010 at 9:14 pm.
Robin,
Your story made me appreciate my childhood more. During my elementary years, my teachers quickly identified my potential and pushed me to try on anything from joining oratorical contests to singing,etc. I didn’t know I could do all those things but they saw me for what I can be. Not to mention my loving and supportive mother who always tells me that I can never know if I am good at something if I don’t even try. (I didn’t know what oratorical contests were, wasn’t sure I even liked them but I won 1st or 2nd place each time! I didn’t know I could sing, too but one teacher heard me singing in the bathroom one time and that was it. I started singing in our school’s concerts and plays.) I had my “robin” moments in high school and most especially in college but I always remember the lessons I have learned as a child and I push myself(even drag myself sometimes) to try and get out of the box. I don’t always succeed, of course but at least I’ve tried.
This is my first time to read your blog. I’ll be back to read more. You’re an inspiration. Hooray to you!
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Welcome to my Eden, “Curious”. Good to see you here and I am sooooo pleased that you had this wonderful early experience. Such a blessing that there were people who saw your gifts and helped foster them. I too love singing. It sounds like these early positive experience were so powerful that they pretty much set the tone for the rest of your life.
I also LOVE what your mom told you: “my loving and supportive mother who always tells me that I can never know if I am good at something if I don’t even try.” This is one of those WISE core truths that I just love and live my life by. It was just empowering reading it. So thank you for taking the time to stop in and share your story. YOU inspired me as well. Keep on singing!
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Chris Edgar Says:
29 January 2010 at 11:04 pm.
Hi Robin — Thanks for this. I definitely sympathized with young Robin when I heard that story — I could see a longing to explore or be somewhere else in her eyes, even at that age — and it sounds to me like you actually went out and fulfilled that longing, which seems like such a rare step for us to take as human beings.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I just LOVE this comment, Chris. You are soooooo insightful. to the point of picking up things that others might totally miss or deny existed. What you wrote about the longing in my eyes is absolutely RIGHT! That is exactly how I felt. I longed for something more, something I KNEW was “out there”, something I knew existed, but that I didn’t know how to attain within the narrow walls of school. But I hung onto that hope all the way up to age 25 and when presented with the chance to go into one of the WILDEST places on earth I jumped at it…even though I was scared of many of the potentially deadly creatures. I still chose Life and facing my fear over a long silent death. I write about this in my book.
So you have picked up something that is SO key to me and I am both deeply moved by your insight and that you saw that I went out and got what I longed for. I sure did. And it gave me everything I needed to REALLY be Robin. You are amazing. Hugs, Robin
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Hilary Says:
30 January 2010 at 7:28 am.
Hi Robin .. I’m so pleased you had the gumph to realise your own intelligence and take control of your own learning. Particularly because you’re here now – blogging and I found you.
I was ‘thick’ – yes .. just scraped thru to the last 2 years of school – simply because I had no other incentives .. it was expected of me. No university .. just secretarial college. Life onwards didn’t really change – I was shy, desperate not to be knocked down, thought I was thick .. etc ..
That’s obviously not the case – but it’s taken til now to realise that I’ve got loads to offer, I’m not remotely thick – and so I have a lot of catching up to do .. spread my wings, help others, become who I’m meant to be … lead on I’m fluttering along behind with belief in my heart – that I can achieve and become an entrepreneur in the blogging world – as my ancestors have done with 19th and early 20th opportunities.
We do put negative connotations on everything … if we eliminated those and tried to understand, while communicating on a positive level – and ask to understand .. we’d all help each other so much.
Here’s to Power of MY Belief .. and yours ..
Hilary
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Oh my word, you are the LAST person I would have seen as “thick” at ANY time of your life. I go to your blog and right from the start I thought WHOA! this woman is HIGHLY intelligent…probably a genius. I’m serious.
Your bautiful and highly creative writing here reflects a free thinker that could NEVER be crammed into a mold. You would just NEVER fit, Hillary. This third paragraph of yours is pure poetry. I love it. You and I can flutter anywhere together. Your blog is so unique that it’s not like any blog I’ve seen out there. The way you bring so many elements together in one post just blows my mind. You combine humor, inspiration, education, beauty and more, and make it work like no one I know. —Your comment here left me feeling strong and solid and free. I really really like that Hillary. Yes! Here’s to the power of our beliefs.
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Hissing at Badgers « Breathing Says:
30 January 2010 at 1:02 pm.
[...] Lesson From Piss Ant Flat story has come to mind again due to a Post by Robin Easton The Power of Our Beliefs recalling some of her childhood issues. Her writing draws you right in and there you are in the [...]
Stephen - Rat Race Trap Says:
30 January 2010 at 3:31 pm.
Hello Robin. That photo is fantastic. Your face and your eyes just sparkle It’s not just your eyes that are the same but your mouth and your chin say Robin all over them.
Schools are meant for average people and they try to pound those that are not into the average mold. It’s rather sad, but you can’t really blame the teachers, though there are some truly bad ones. I have an uncle that has academic intelligence off the charts, but he is socially and functionally retarded in regards to the real world of life.
You are off the chart in being a unique soul and I’m so very glad I stumbled across you in the virtual world. I hope to meet you someday in the physical world.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Stephen this is such a warm comment. I am grateful for it. I have been enjoying your outspoken and yet compassionate comments both here and on Jonathan’s site. I was intrigued by your comment about your uncle and it reminded me of someone I know who also is like this. They didn’t miss one question of their SATs in high school, they can pick up a magazine or book that’s very technical and tell you EVERYTHING they read in it. But they are very much like your uncle when it comes to being in the world.
I treasure your kind encouraging words. They are high praise from you and touched my heart. It made me think that what you see in me is in you. It has to be or you wouldn’t see it in me. I have seen these same qualities in you so many times. There are certain things you really feel impassioned about and when you even touch on them you just come brilliantly to life. And it is very moving and inspiring to see that in you. Hugs, Robin
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Michael C. Dewey Says:
31 January 2010 at 6:51 pm.
Wonderfully true.
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 11:38 am
Heeey it’s my friend, the masked rider! So good to see you. It always is. Thank you dear Michael for all your support and encouragement. You have a soul of gold.
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Ophelia Rising Says:
31 January 2010 at 9:05 pm.
Robin, that is an AMAZING story. I’m transfixed by it. Not only because of the serious dichotomy of someone telling you that you were slow, which was obviously an epic mistake, but because of the illustration that we are all so moved and transformed by what we think we can do – well, what we KNOW we can do. I realize now that I can do anything. Really, anything. If I work and put my heart to it. I never realized that before. Never.
You are lucky, because you knew this from an early age – directly due to your experiences. And you recognized it. This is a wisdom that not many have, but all of us CAN have, if we pay attention. And you do – you pay attention. To every moment.
I love you so much, and recognize in you so much beauty, and so much light, and wisdom. Always know that I see you, dear friend. xoxoxo
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Oh my sweet friend. I can’t tell you what a treat it is to see you here. There are no words. And I KNOW you are SO busy right now with your book, kids and life, so you honor me. I just love that you realize you can do and be ANYTHING. !!! YES. Absolutely. You have talent, creativity and wisdom spilling out of you like Niagara Falls. I realized one day that the ONLY thing that can stop me is if “I” STOP! If I stop moving toward me dream or goal. I was SO pleased when I knew you were writing your book. So so proud of you because you are doing it while STILL raising a family. Many people wait until their kids have all left the nest. That is not a judgment on anyone, as I can understand why. It is merely the reason why I find it remarkable that you are doing both family and writing your book. I know it can’t be easy. It’s rarely easy for those of us who do NOT have kids.
I remember way back when you shared bits from your childhood journals. I was thunderstruck by the complete brilliance, highest level of intelligence and pure poetry of who you are…even at that age. Of course knowing my own childhood experience, I immediately wondered, “Being who she was then, how did she survive the mediocrity too often found in institutionalized learning. She is not only free thinking, brilliantly AWARE, but must be one tough and determined cookie to not let others take away her soul, her free flight, her blinding light, her Divine.”
AND, do you know that I ALWAYS feel seen by you, right down to my deep inner core, as if you ARE me, as if you know me without words. You do. That is what is so profound with our relationship. We are souls who recognize each other on the deepest level and without words. —And I KNOW that you not only CAN do anything you want, but that WILL and ARE doing all that your heart hungers for. It will only get more so. I too love you with all my heart and really have no words for the singularly beautiful soul you are. Robin. xoxoxoxoxo YES!!
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Mike Foster Says:
1 February 2010 at 12:45 am.
Dear Robin, I am a graduate of the school of autodidactic learning, not from organized education. Your story touched me in many ways, but mostly how we define our intelligence not by how many letters we have after our names but by how we gain priceless experience throughout life. Living is the best teacher. (by the way, I would like to touch base with you regarding your comment on my site about my writing; please let me know the best way to we can communicate)…
peace,
mike
livelife365
[Reply]
Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Wow, Mike!!! I did not know this about you. You are sooooooo smart and talented and funny, and not only in highly creative (music, writing, gardening, etc.) AND emotional-insight ways, but in technical/left brain ways. Whoa, this is an eye opener for me. I actually had to look up autodidactic. Cool, a new word. LOL! I love what it means. Well, that makes two of us. I am a graduate and ongoing student of “The Great School of Life”. I’ve never once regretted it. Thank you dear friend. You inspire me more than you may think!! Hugs, Robin “Peace”
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Alex Blackwell Says:
1 February 2010 at 5:06 am.
Self-limiting beliefs and intelligence are indeed two separate things. Glad to hear you claimed the beauty, and wisdom, you knew lived within all along.
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Thank you SO much, Alex. I too am deeply grateful that I was able to claim what already lay within me. What lays within all of us. I think you hit the nail on the head with your use of the word: “claim”. Beautiful insight, because no one can do that for us. They can encourage us, but ultimately we must claim the greatness we already are. Thank you for stopping in and bringing that to light. I value your insight.
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Alex - iwalkdevon Says:
1 February 2010 at 6:11 am.
I know this experience, only in reverse. I had always been told I was bright at school and then I started college – late. I was kicked out of a class because I was only averaging B’s and the other students were A*. I was kicked out along with another student for being lazy and disruptive. In reality we were just bringing down the average grade of the class. I then learnt what it meant to have a label. Teachers did not want to bother with me and I responded with rebellion…for a while. Then I began working extra shifts around my classes and saved enough money to pay for a weekend revision seminar just before my exams (in the interim I’d also been studying my back-side off). I was told to expect the worst, yet I walked out of college (16-18, the equivalent of your high school I think) with all As.
Recently I read a fab article on stem cells (I know I am digressing, but there is a connection). The cells became either bone or muscle depending on their environment; I love discovering physical/scientific and emotional/phenomenological correlates…I have a passionate inner geek!
However, being in a relationship has been the biggest teacher of all!
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 3:18 pm
What a fascinating comment. Alex. I just love it. How remarkable that YOU chose to do well in school…and on your own terms. The dynamic you describe here in your class brought up memories for me. I remembered horrible things that were said to students when I was in the “lower” divisions. A kid that was maybe getting a D or F was singled out in front of the whole class. It was doubly destructive because not only was that child CRUSHED ROYALLY, but the rest of the class lived in fear that if THEY didn’t do well the teacher would single them out and shame THEM in front of the class. Wonderful way to learn…out of fear. NOT!
The interesting thing is that some adults forget what it’s like to be a kid, and more importantly they forget just HOW aware kids are. Children SEE. They KNOW. Even in first grade I KNEW that I was put in the “dumb” group. And on the play ground later that day I was teased for it by the kids in the “Chickadee” group, who knew THEY were in the smart group. Do teachers honestly believe that children are so undeveloped mentally and emotionally that they don’t FEEL and SEE this stuff. My experience with kids is that they see it ALL. They do not miss a trick. They feel and see every little nuance.
What you shared about stem cells and their environment is fascinating. I too love things like that. All life responds to it’s environment. And I think humans are now looking at how they CREATE there environment. I’ve seen this in other species as well. —-Lastly, YES! being in relationship is a HUUUUUGE teacher. If we let it, it can absolutely change our whole lives in ways we never dreamed of. Thank you my A+++ friend.
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Marcel Lemieux/starflight Says:
1 February 2010 at 10:55 am.
Hello my friend…interesting story of your school years and on forward….you walk a beautiful path and your love of life is contagious….your curiosity and your wanting to know about life wonders was the strongest..today you cherish and share…beautiful..
Remember the old saying..sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me, well that was all a lie…my school years were filled with such things..so most of my time was in the hallway…labeled bad behaviour…the power of words can be grace or hell…
One day i decided otherwise, became what some call a street kid..you went to the Rainforest and more, i went across North America…..just a different school…i had this thirst for knowing what was life all about…and in my heart i knew there had to be a better world than the one i was leaving behind. Life is the real school that i,m certain of….but i also think that soul and self are intertwined tightly together and its a journey…nature has always been my best friend as it has sheltered me so many times in my travels and kept me sane….much later on in life i went back to school to get that darn paper for a better job….its a very controlled system we live in…but we can use it instead of fighting it and along the way still be who we are…there are alternatives and many choose that avenue which is great…the school system is way out of focus which is to bad because there are some fine kids who could use a more positive introduction ….there,s also the notion of emotional intelligence and intuition that needs more attention….it certainly served me many times. I,ve been reading all the comments here and all are a piece of wisdom…Peace
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Oh Marcel, what wisdom you ARE. I always feel I’ve gone home when I read about your life. You are certainly one of the wisest souls I know. And I have seen over and over how your wisdom touches the lives of the people who come to these pages here. And that is only a very small portion of the lives you touch.
My beautiful friend, you have REALLY lived. I mean YOU…HAVE…LIVED. All of it: the hardship, the street kid, the living off the land and with the land, the beauty, the solitude, the travels across America, the peace and so much I don’t yet know about has made sooooooo infinitely vast. You are able to encompass SO much. You are one who has lived a thousand life times in one. You are like a giant tree that has stood for hundreds of years watching all of life coming and going, embracing ALL with compassion. I so relate to this.
You are a very very wealthy man, Marcel. You have attained what so many seek, but more often than not they seek in all the wrong places, in more and more money, fancy cars, huge homes, jewels, fame and so on. When really all their heart wants is peace, is to know Life, to feel compassion, to know Love, to understand who they are, to have a connection with humanity, all beings, Earth and the Divine. Thank you Marcel. I am grateful.
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Lita C. Malicdem Says:
1 February 2010 at 12:35 pm.
Hi, Robin,
I came again as I’m following you at NetworkedBlogs. I love your blog. Take care.
[Reply]
Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
You are SUCH a dear, Lita. I am very honored as well as touched by your kindness. Thank you SO much. Hugs, Robin
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Iyabo Asani, The Inner Genius Coach Says:
1 February 2010 at 2:21 pm.
I agree that many of us are still reeling from the devastation the school system caused on us. No one is stupid. I have yet to really meet a stupid person. I have met people that have potential if they were mentored, but no one is really stupid. I have met folks that were disabled, but I loved their simplicity of life.
Iyabo
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I just LOVE what you wrote about stupidity. YES!! I agree. That is my experience as well. I have met people who may be afraid to see something or may be in denial of something (and that’s okay), but I have ALSO seen that they are by NO means stupid. This makes me think of a true story I once wrote about a pet store run by autistic adults. I will have to haul it out and post it here at some point. Thank you for reminding me of it. I too believe that if people are seen and somehow met where they are at, they can start to heal and rediscover their innate gifts, whatever those gifts may be. I am deeply moved by your compassionate, wise and positive outlook. I find it very inspiring. Thank you my friend.
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Evelyn Lim Says:
1 February 2010 at 7:15 pm.
I do a fair amount of inner child healing for myself and clients. It is sad that so many of us grow up with negative and limiting beliefs instilled since childhood. They are hardly true in the first place. It is interesting to note that once these beliefs are dealt with, we can experience a leap in our results.
I am glad to know that you manage to sort out your beliefs. Intelligence may come from acquired knowledge but what is more important is the wisdom and insights you have gained. Thumbs up to taking charge!
[Reply]
Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:33 am
It is a joy to see you here Evelyn. And I appreciate your insightful words. I think going back and loving that child that we were is one of the most soothing things we can do. I keep a photo on my desk of me when I was two years old, and if I am feeling less that loving, I immediately pick up that photo and talk to that little girl and tell her what I would tell her if she were my own child. It is a wonderful to get perspective, as well would not beat up on a beautiful child and we would sooth, comfort and give them sounds advice. So in doing that I sooth myself and know what it is I need to say to myself. I’ve done this for years. And nowadays I don’t even need the photo to do it.
I now know that I was born intelligent…and wise….as is everyone I have ever met. Thank you for stopping in and sharing your insights. I really appreciate them and find them encouraging.
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Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com Says:
2 February 2010 at 2:45 am.
It’s a horrible affliction to tell a child they cannot do something. I try avoiding to do it at all costs.
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:52 am
I could not agree with you more, Richard. Good to meet you. I’ve been to your site and think it is wonderful. —As I reclaimed and remembered my own (inner) child I knew without doubt how sensitive, aware and intelligent children are. I also learned HOW MUCH they respond to positive input when someone believes in them. Thank you SO much for stopping by. And keep the great work you are doing. I value your input.
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Chrissy Says:
2 February 2010 at 8:32 am.
I confess to reading this when you first posted it up but I left it a while before commenting. I like to read the responses too. I felt sad for the child that you were and glad you managed to reach beyond it……the world would have been a sadder place if you had become the label!
My son left school at 15, just left and he was so bad (in with the wrong crowd) that they gave up on him. He is still not doing a lot with his life but I know that he has a lot of intelligence. Perhaps, he too will learn more from life than he ever did from school! I can only hope so…
There are many ways of learning and academia is but one of them, on it’s own, I feel that it can be quite limiting. After all you can learn about a place in Geography but you won’t know what it smells and feels like!
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:02 am
Dearest Chrissy, this just moved me to tears. You are such a beautiful soul. So thoughtful toward me and others and all the little creatures you love so much. I am so touched by the honest story of your son. I hear this more and more from friends and acquaintances, that their kids are leaving high school and university. I know our American culture is really hard on kids. And yet at the same time I see many who have walked away and they eventually REALLY make a life for themselves and know who they are. Some go back to school, others become self taught entrepreneurs. I will keep your son in my thoughts and prayers. AND I am soooo honored you shared this with me. I am with you; know that my heart reaches across the pond and hugs you so often. I also LOVE what you wrote here about academia. It is not only true but your wrote it so poetically. “After all you can learn about a place in Geography but you won’t know what it smells and feels like!” That is sooooooooo true. Hugging you. Robin
PS my husband has a bunch of degrees in various things and teach at college level, but you would never know it. He is not only ridiculously humble but he is a strong advocate of experiential learning. Anyway, he jokingly refers to all the professors and himself as a bunch of crazy “macadamia nuts”. I love that.
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Tess The Bold Life Says:
2 February 2010 at 11:30 am.
“I returned to that long ago hard school pavement, picked up my child’s brilliant heart and gently tucked it back into my chest. Life would now be my teacher.”
It amazes me that these things still go on today! My father had no believe in his own intelligence so it’s not wonder he had none in his children’s.
If it weren’t for a priest that I was friends with I never would have went back to college. He insisted to the point that he took me, showed me the campus and helped me sign up for “How to Study” and “Speed Reading.” It’s amazing how my life changed because of his belief in me!
My husband, children, grandchildren and everyone who knows me has been effected by that one person who decided to have faith in me.
I think 75% of the world needs to reclaim their child’s hearts and brains! This is a very important lesson for all of us. May we encourage everyone to do the same;)
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:11 am
What an AMAZING story. This story is a PERFECT example of how belief changes lives. In this case, generations of lives. WOW!! I too can hardly believe it goes on Tess and I yet I see it in my friend’s kids and other kids that tell their stories. Isn’t it truly amazing that that one man (priest) changed SO many lives because of his one simple act of kindness and insight? He not only SAW who and what you were, but the key word here is that he ACTED upon it. In doing so he changed the world. WHOA, talk about the power of one person’s actions changing the world. THAT is a lesson we need to remember. REALLY remember. I will never forget this story. If I doubt the power of my own positive actions I will remember this and continue to live and ACT upon what my heart tells me to be and do. Thank you SO much. Tess. This is powerful.
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Fatima Da Says:
2 February 2010 at 1:24 pm.
There is a saying in my culture, that once we are born into this world we all have the opportunities to re- produce self . From reading this lovely post it sounds just like what you have done in spite of other people’s beliefs and narrow understanding of intelligence..
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:15 am
What a lovely saying from your culture, Fatima. I love it. What a beautiful way to sum up and look at this. It is EXACTLY what I did. You are very insightful. In fact, my second book (not the one coming out this year but the one I’m writing now) talks about this VERY thing. How I recreated Robin choosing who and what I wanted to be. Thank you for inspiring me.
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Michelle (Artscapes) Says:
2 February 2010 at 7:33 pm.
Brilliant post. School can take a lifetime to recover from! We are what we believe. Learning that no one else has authority over who we are is the most important lesson of all.
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 am
Hello my highly creative friend. Thank you SOOO much for your kind words. I cherish them. I just LOVE this line: “Learning that no one else has authority over who we are is the most important lesson of all.” That is a quote for my wall. And your book..someday. Because once we KNOW this through and through we can truly direct our lives. We no longer give our power over to someone else or another “authority”. Thank you. BEAUTIFUL!!
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RAOKA: Gratitude Says:
3 February 2010 at 3:42 am.
[...] Robin's latest piece, The Power of Our Beliefs. There is such deep and caring gratitude in there. Again, this is only one example of [...]
Amit Sodha - The Power Of Choice Says:
3 February 2010 at 8:54 am.
Robin, I can’t even begin to tell you how much my story emulates yours. I was a ‘no-hoper’ at school and was considered that way by many of my teachers and peers and I almost ended up believing them. Luckily for me I found my own way and realised my intelligence had nothing to do with how much I could remember and everything to do with applied wisdom.
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Robin Easton Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:55 am
I am SO glad you stopped in, Amit. Your comment touched me very much. Do you know why? I was just at your site yesterday and this is what I thought. “This guy is amazing. He is so ALIVE, brilliantly alive. He’s really on the ball. SO smart. And I’ve seen your comments on our mutual friends’ sites and have just loved them. You are as your smiling avatar shows you to be: full of life, keen interest, aware and very kind. I am sooooooo glad that you too realized your intelligence. You gave yourself a GREAT gift. I love this line from your comment: “…my intelligence had nothing to do with how much I could remember and everything to do with applied wisdom…” Oh Amit, I really relate to that. And you’ve written it so beautifully. Yes, the number of facts we can remember doesn’t make us wise or even necessarily intelligent. I have experienced intelligence (and wisdom) as a state of being. We could not even know how to read, write, or know a single fact and STILL be HIGHLY intelligent. Thank you for inspiring me soooooooo much!!
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Martyna Bizdra Says:
3 February 2010 at 1:26 pm.
hey:)
Robin, super catharsis, and I shall say…” bon voyage” !
You have tasted freedom, you will never give it up
Martyna
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Jannie Funster Says:
4 February 2010 at 9:12 am.
Robin! Came here from Lance’s Loving Jungle.
I have not gotten to know you as well as I’ve gotten to know some other bloggers, which will happen in blogging and life! But I just wanted to come and say that I’ve always liked your smiling photo, your blog colors and your lovely message here of peace and being good to all living things. I know your love and light will continue to bless many others wherever you go. That’s just who you are.
All the best, you lovely lady!
Jannie
xo
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Keeper Says:
4 February 2010 at 11:04 am.
“Words create impressions, images and expectations. They build psychological connections. They influence how we think. Since thoughts determine actions, there’s a powerful connection between the words we use and the results we get.”
I will always be amazed by the power of words to heal or to destroy. Words are so powerful. They can be so beautiful and helpful, but they can also be harsh and harmful. We are blessed with tongues that speak words. It could be words of love, praise, kindness, forgiveness and encouragement, and it could also be dark words full of hatred, disrespect and slander.
Words can weave together a broken heart or restore a shattered relationship, but words can also devastate the spirit, and create waves that separate two people. Words can restore the soul, but words can also cut deep and hurt feelings. Words can transmit a wealth of information but words can also be deceiving. Words can praise a person but words can also assassinate a character. Words can bring peace and joy, but words can also set a blazing fire to harmony.
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Dan O. De Ment Says:
4 February 2010 at 3:38 pm.
Robin…I added your RSS to my site on Wordpress…stop by and see my latest images…Dan
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soulMerlin Says:
6 February 2010 at 6:11 am.
“To believe that the young do not feel deeply, desperately and wondrously is a grievous mistake.” ~ Robin Easton
I was told (but did not believe) that I was not bright and intelligent.
“Harry is dead-slow” said Mrs Storey to my mother (I was 5) … I didn’t like that much, so I called her Mrs Book because it irritated her.
(you see, it was my Mother who told me I was wonderful – and I believed her)
xhenry
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Jonathan!! I am hugging you right now for this comment and laughing while I do it. You are a dear. I have seen the part of you that revels in free thinking intelligence. Your own time in the wild, along with so many other astounding brave choices you made and wild experiences you’ve had have made you a very free soul. It is a honor off the charts to be seen by you. The 5 beta kappa of Life extends to yourself. …And it made me howl with laughter!! I LOVE IT!! I love it!
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