What difference a person makes.

Eric Svendsen with Leanne in the background, 2008.

When I retired from teaching, I had a question.  "What difference had I made?"  I put 27 years in at Garibaldi Secondary School and had another three years elsewhere.  You would think that would have produced a significant impact on the lives of others, at least on some.  But I struggled to come up with any viable examples.

Oh sure, I had taught, but I am not talking about just doing my job.  Outside of imparting my fiduciary duties, had I personally done something to change the lives of someone for the better?  And not just at school, but in the community as a whole.  There is an important distinction between existing in your community mediocrely and existing while having a positive impact outside of whatever niche you happen to be filling.  I was involved in clubs and available outside of classroom hours while working and contributed to the world as a whole where I could.  My main focus, of course, had to be my family.  Their needs must come first.  But even there, was I doing more than just being around?

We went to Edmonton a few months ago to visit my son and his wife of two years.  We hopped from place to place after our visit and reconnected with people from our past.  Our sojourns led us through a time-warp of sorts, with a heavy sense of deja vu.  It was during one of these becoming reaquainted opportunities that something remarkable happened.  I found out that I had made a difference, over thirty years after the fact.

My involvement with youth at church, one of the experiences which led me into teaching, had repercussions beyond my imagination.    I had impacted the lives of those I had contact with, and my existence had done more than to just fill a void.  I had influenced someone to make a choice, which led them to impact the community positively and with passion.  The ripples of me in the world were spreading outward.  The best part of this was that it was not something I expected.  I did not know that my presence and essence created a continuing legacy.

There are a few important things to take away from this.  The first is that we all make a difference in the lives of others; we may never know exactly what that is but rest assured it is there.  To make a difference though you have to do more than just exist.  You have to invest time and energy into your environment, with passion and care.  The second is the kind of influence you will be. 

The world is filled with people making a difference, but not in a good way.  Harmful, selfish, and seeking to quench desires of the ego, such individuals rob others of edification.  On the other hand, there are those seeking to make the world a better place.  Most of us would fit into this category.  We want to have a positive impact, for our footprints to produce ripples benefitting those around us. 

Whatever you do, whether job, family, or community related, do it with passion, kindness, and love.  Rest assured, you will make a positive difference, even though you may never know exactly what that is.

Being a teacher ...

Eric Svendsen teaching Nicola Twa about her camera.

I have been a teacher for thirty years, well actually much longer than that.  There is the occupation of "teacher" which requires a certain amount of education and experience, both job and life.  This usually involves significant post-secondary schooling, in-class experience, and a significant amount of soul searching.  Then there is the layman's teacher, what all of us really are, at least when it comes to contributing to our society and those we care about.

I have always enjoyed helping others overcome obstacles.  It was part of my DNA as it were when I was a scout leader.  It was there in my persona as I worked with handicapped campers.  It clutched my heart when I helped fellow students with their math or chemistry assignments.  All of the roles I have played in my life have been involved with making a difference in the lives of others.  Although my roll in school as a trained professional was to impart curriculum to the masses, I think that it was through interpersonal relationships where my impact was truly felt.

Teaching is less of a career and more of a lifestyle.  And don't think that I am saying that I have obtained some amazing level of proficiency as an educator; the more I taught the more I understood that there is so much more to learn.  This has nothing to do with memorizing facts about the universe we live in or about the number of scholarly letters after my name.  It has to do with the nature of being human.  I want to be a better human, and I want to help others do the same.

I think this is the true mark of a teacher.  Not someone who is proficient at some academia, but rather someone who is willing to use their experiences and knowledge to bolster and encourage, even shape, the lives of others.  All to the end of making a difference.  I have a job which I do, which is presenting curriculum and implementing school board policies.  But I have something more important than that; I have to teach.

Thanks for reading.  Eric Svendsen   www.ericspix.com

The Svendsens at Disneyland

The Svendsens at Disneyland; Christmas 2003

"The Happiest Place on Earth" is the slogan touted by the Disney Corporation.  We were there for Christmas, 2003.  Admittedly it was a very good time.  There were a number of things which I learned though; things that should be passed on to fellow travelers who hope to enjoy the place where joy knows no bounds.

First off, go early.  Another slogan which the megacorp could extol to the multitudes is "The Busiest Place on Earth."  Notice the photo above; we got this picture within ten minutes of entering the gates, right at opening time.  We got Goofy, Mickey, and Pluto to pose with us - not something that would be easily achieved during busy times.  Also, have a look at the background - it's empty of people.  If we showed up a few hours later the end result would be totally different.

Then there is the idea of going during low season.  The crowds are smaller, the fares are cheaper, and the weather is still warm and reasonable.  You can see in the photo the fact that it had just rained.  Imperfect weather means better deals and less crowds.  I find that joy and sunshine are not always corresponding parameters.  Long lines, hot days, and empty wallets have a way of significantly decreasing the joy factor. 

Some parents take their kids out of school to go to such destinations.  Going during spring break, the summer, or even as we did over Christmas may not be the most affordable option.  Some may look down on the idea, but the reality is that it may well be the best time to ramp up that joy factor.  The long term impact of missing a week of school, elementary especially, is minimal.  Not everyone can get holidays during summer; most true for those working in service industries or who are low on the seniority list.  Consider going in the fall.  The combination of low fees, time off school, with the prospects of fair weather will augment expectations.

Don't bring a tripod.   I love using these three-legged stands in my long exposure photographs.  Their value seems to be underappreciated by members of Disney's staff, and they will likely insist on you putting it away.  In fact, selfie sticks, monopods, and probably questionable looking walking sticks are all likely to be banned.  Apparently, they are notorious for tripping people.  As sad as it is to say, be sure you are permitted to bring one.  IMPORTANT:  Do yourself a favour - have written permission OKing you to have one.  The lines of communication are short.

If you lose something, contact lost and found.  I left my Australian hat on "The Pirates of the Caribbean" ride.  When I went back for it, it was gone.  I gave it up for lost but decided to approach the missing stuff department.  They had not seen it but had me fill out a form stating what it was that I had lost, where I lost it, and whatever other information I could give them.  Two weeks after we got home it showed up in the mail. 

We stayed at off-site at a hotel, but were close enough to walk to the park.  The hotel was twelve stories high or so, and had an elevator which was on the outside of the building.  Its walls were made of glass and you could see the ground disappear beneath you as you climbed into the sky.  The city would come into view and we were in awe of the spectacle.  After finishing our time in the theme park, we asked the kids which ride they enjoyed the most.  Their unanimous answer was the hotel's elevator.  We could have saved a lot of money and just spent our days traveling vertically in the hotel's lift.

All in all, it was a good visit.  I would have liked my daughter to have been a little older so that she remembered more of the experience.  However, it was a destination which was nice to have visited and the shared memories will last a lifetime.  How can you go to "The Happiest Place on Earth" and not leave with some fond recollections? 

Pastor Paul - Wiser than ever.

Pastor Paul playing on the River Rats Baseball Team

What does courage look like?  You see it in the actions of the one who has it.  It is not a static quality, like height or IQ.  You may not even know it is there when it is not needed.  After all, courage is only ever seen when it is needed, and not everyone possesses it in the same measure, or even at all.

Pastor Paul has done some amazing things in his life.  He had a successful career as a sports broadcaster for a popular radio station.  Then he received his calling for going into the ministry.  He stepped up to the plate, figuratively speaking.  No doubt there was a certain amount of uncertainty and soul searching - the kind it takes when making such a monumental transition.  Yet he went to bat with a 100% conviction that it was what had to be done.  That took courage.

We have enjoyed Pastor Paul at our church for a little over two years.  His education and training complete; he stepped up to the mound and gave it his all.  He was well received, and evidence was all around that it was the right move.  Just settling into his new position, with things just starting to settle down and form some assemblage of routine, then he had a serious curve ball thrown at him - and from out of nowhere.  He had a heart attack.

A strong, vibrant young man with a family to care for was suddenly struck down, and at the beginning of his new career no less.  It could have been devastating - like a triple play in the world series - with disastrous consequences.  Yet Grace was on his side, and he received three stents in his coronary arteries to return the flow of blood to his ailing heart.  Stricken, but not out, he chose to play on.

Some would have called it quits then and there.  Some would question why this would happen, give up hope and fall into a deep depression.  Pastor Paul did what all courageous people do when they are down and the odds are against them; he fought back.  With determination in his eyes and hope in his soul, he overcame the chasm between where he was and where he wanted to be.  He would tell you that it was God who healed him; that it was all part of His plan and that he was only doing what any good servant would do.  But inside is still the man that made it happen, and pushed his way to better health with a positive attitude.

It has not been that long since his stent operation, but Paul has been making a comeback.  He has joined the church's baseball team.  He is taking other precautions to make sure that he does not face the same hurdle again. I have had the pleasure of playing with Pastor Paul on the baseball team.  He plays with the same determination on the field as he has while struggling with other challenges life has thrown at him.  His actions on the field are a metaphor for his behaviour in life.  "Well done, good and faithful servant, well done."

River Rats Run Rampant

Maple Ridge Alliance Church  -  River Rats baseball team at play.

Yesterday, from 3:45 until 7:30, the River Rats, a church fielded baseball team, was at play in the Langley Christian Baseball League.  We (me included) played three games in a row on Saturday; some of us were still feeling the strained muscles and sore bodies from our game on Friday, the previous day.   Not that those things prevented everyone from showing up.  Commitment to team and a naturally competitive spirit allowed each to rise above such minor annoyances.  Besides, no one wanted to be a wuss.

The weather was excellent, as was the company, and I very much enjoyed playing in a league where winning, although desirable, was not the ultimate achievement.  I found the comradery between players, on both sides, jovial and light-hearted.  There was the usual banter found in baseball, with a side of good-natured ribbing thrown in.  I gave as good as I got, and no one left with hurt feelings.  I suppose the exception to that was my legs - the feelings in them were plenty hurt.

I am far from an accomplished player.  In the spectrum between novice to professional I fall between incompetent and almost useful.  I felt I made a few good plays, and I have to admit to a certain primal satisfaction at smacking the ball at what, for me, was a considerable distance.  The fact it made it past the infield was worthy of being remembered in a song of lore, or maybe having my name inscribed in the sand somewhere.  I also can attest to making it past first base when my turn to bat was up, but only because I was walked, and a lady was next to bat.  If you don't know what I am talking about, let me fill you in a bit.

I never played baseball, other than scrub, as a kid, but I feel I have a good grasp of the rules.  I have to tell you though that the rule book for this league must put the New York Telephone Directory to shame for its size.  There is a rule for every conceivable play.  There are rules for what a foul ball looks like.    A foul ball after two strikes makes you out.  Pitches have to be higher than this but lower than that, and that is before the ball even gets to the plate.  Outfielders have to stay behind a certain line when a lady bats, and they can't throw them out at first base by a direct toss.  Then there is the lady on deck rule I previously mentioned.  If the batter is walked, he or she gets two bases.

Admittedly, much of the jargon and language used during the game was lost on me.  It did not stop me from having fun though, and I felt well supported by my colleagues who summoned all kinds of positive banter when I was involved in a play.  It is nice to be accepted, even appreciated, when you are not the top one out there, or even close to that.  That, to me, is a true mark of sportsmanship.