Words and power

Well, I would like to say this is directed to my third grade teacher. Today Rabbi sermon got me thinking about the power of words and curses spoken over us. Third grade was many years ago I am 34 years now, however my teacher in that grade affected my life for many years! I never realize this how much she affected me. I guess I have been thinking about what my mom shared with me a few weeks ago, about when I was 4 years old able to read her magazines. By the time I graduated in high school I barely read at a third grade reading leave this has to do with the words that where spoken to me. Teacher out their especially those who work with children think before you say harsh things like they are to stupid or will not amount to anything. Think before you pick on a student because they read slowly, or stumble over words. I still hate reading out loud. The one teacher I remember is my third grade teacher, it wasn’t bad enough I got picked on because I spoke differently, read slowly but it was encourage. I have forgiven this teacher for the words she spoke into my life.
Rabbi talk about Balaam the prophet who decided to tell Moab how to curse Israel in a back handed way. Balaam, pretty much repeated G-d promises to Abraham. Those who bless you will be bless and those who curse you will be curse. Rabbi said something today which made me think of my third grade teach. He told us we needed to be in prayer, and use one of David prayers to G-d for those who curse us. Now I do not want my third grade teacher to be curse, honestly I think she was a very bitter lady. I believe she treated me the way she did through her own woundedness or cursing. Balaam could not curse Isreal, his Donkey kept turning him away when a angel was going to end Balaam, then the Donkey spoke. Sometimes I wonder if we need to have a donkey or maybe our pet cat or dog speak to us, to make us realize what we are doing. Words have power, we should speak words which empower and up left children. Now I am not saying children should not be disciplined they need it but they need to be encouraged and told they can do what they want. If they read slowly allow them time to read it, or if they struggle with math allow them time to get it. Just because they not like their peers doesn’t mean they should be treated with less respect or patients.
It is amazing how Balaam heard G-d knew not to curse Israel and didn’t go with G-ds people who where clearly being blessed. Balaam choose to do the opposite of what G-d wanted.
Now I am in my graduate program, I have good grads. It took me a long time to have my confidence rebuilt from all the times it was torn down. When I first met my husband I refused to walk through a book store, I hated reading. I found little enjoyment from it. My husband encouraged me in many ways. Eventually he got me to at least walk through a book store. Now I am reading a lot, I enjoy reading. I feel like part of me was ripped off because I allowed the words spoken to me in third grade to affect me so deeply. I don’t want no
med school graduation gifts once I graduate with my master in Counseling. I do know what I want, I want to help people see just because someone speaks badly or curses you does not mean you have to fulfil it. Sometimes things are challenging and we have to keep trying. Rabbi said something interesting about people speaking curses on to us with out us knowing about it. I know when a person hears they will never amount to anything or they are not good enough this is damaging I do not know the affects of these things being said outside of the person hearing. If they do not hear it does it truly affect them. I have no opinion yet. However I do know if you hear enough times bad reports about you its easy to believe them and start fulfilling them.