Well, I’m in LOVE with LOVE so I have decided to feature an article that was written by a man whose words changed my life. In his book, Spiritual Economics, Eric Butterworth introduced me to the concept of pure potentiality and his thoughts changed my perception of everything and raised my conscious awareness. Reading his book, not only for the first time but also many times thereafter, has become my foundation in terms of what really matters. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE is neither physical, nor romantic…it is an acceptance of all that is…and all there is…is LOVE. Anyone who is experiencing the power of LOVE is always free and always growing. Without LOVE and nurturing we cannot grow into our full potential. This article by Eric Butterworth
and the short story by an unknown author demonstrate Unconditional LOVE and how the experience of engaging in and the practicing of Unconditional LOVE can change lives one by one. A good place to start is with the children. As school begins, my wish is that all children may experience Unconditional LOVE from special teachers who’s Hearts are filled with nothing but that. For some children, school is the only place where they feel safe and have the opportunity to feel anything. Thanks to all of the parents, teachers, relatives, and advocates who champion the needs of children…the children are “the least of these.” Unconditional LOVE can change our world.
LOVE: The One Creative Force by Eric Butterworth
A college professor had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys. They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy's future. In every case the students wrote, "He hasn't got a chance." Twenty-five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen.
The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, "How do you account for your success?" In each case the reply came with feeling, "There was a teacher." The teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked her what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums into successful achievement. Her eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile. "It's really very simple," she said. "I loved those boys." This is an example of how she might have LOVED…unconditionally.
A Special Teacher…Practicing Unconditional Love
Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth-grade class on that first day of school in the fall and told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils, saying she loved each of them the same, that she would treat them all the same. But that was impossible for there in front of her, slumped in his third row seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkempt and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy was unpleasant. It got to the point during the first few months that she would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then highlighting the "F" at the top of the paper.
Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him either. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's records and delayed Teddy's until last. She opened his file, and found a surprise. His first-grade teacher had written, and I quote, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is a joy to be around." His second-grade teacher had penned, "Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by all his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third-grade teacher had noted, "Teddy continues to work hard but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth-grade teacher had commented, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and often falls asleep in class. He is tardy and could become a more serious problem."
By now Mrs. Thompson realized the extent of the problem, but Christmas was coming fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus again on Teddy Stoddard. Her children brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright paper, except Teddy's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of cologne. She stifled the children's laughter as she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume behind her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed behind after class just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching Reading, Writing, & Speaking. Instead, she began to teach Children. Jean Thompson paid very particular attention to the one called "Teddy." As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. On the days when there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the highest achieving children in the class and, well, he had also somewhat become, the "pet" of that teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same.
A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy, telling her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she was his favorite. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favorite teacher of all time. Four years later, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson she was still his favorite teacher.
Four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still his favorite teacher but that now, his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there. For there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom. And on that special day, Jean Thompson wore that bracelet, the one with the rhinestones missing. And on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled the way Teddy remembered his mother smelling on their last Christmas together.
About the Author: Savannah Blue is a Freelance Writer, a Spiritual Comforter and Motivator, and an amateur photographer and is also a publisher and entrepreneur. She is the Co-founder and Co-producer of Yourelevatedlife and YourElevatedLife Radio Show. Her passion is assisting others in becoming aware of and fulfilling their unlimited potential. She is "Living her Dreams" at the beach with the love of her life and working from home doing what she loves to do...help others live their Dreams!
