Probably the most important part of my general collection of beliefs about life is that there is only one thing that we should do when we are alive. We should appreciate life. Everything that we do should, and often is, part of helping us to value our existence and the existence of the world around us.

An important part of the appreciation of life is learning. By finding out as much as we possibly can about our innermost minds, about the materials that surround us, about both the big and the small, are we not making the ultimate tribute, the ultimate devotion and contribution towards life? Is there a better way to appreciate, to love, to value anything than to strive to find out as much as possible about this thing as you can?

But learning is not just about facts. It is about how to live; how to behave, how to think, how to act. About attitudes that we should have; what we should think about life, about love, and about others.

Ok, so I’ve talked a bit about learning. But I guess what I really wanted to talk about was teaching, and how incredibly important it is. 

Teaching is probably the only way of truly learning. Only by demonstrating what is right can we do what is right, and only by really trying it out and sharing it can we remember it and learn. Teaching is much much more sharing facts, more even than sharing knowledge. Teaching is being an example; it is spreading attitude, and at its peak it is showing - showing people how to live, and how to enjoy life. What to do, why to do it, and what is wrong.

Note the importance of these lessons. How dangerous, how immoral and how simply WRONG it is when they are taught wrong. When we teach that hitting is OK. When anger is acceptable. When revenge is sweet. For this reason, teachers must never teach the wrong things. They must never do wrong things, or be seen doing wrong things - because if they are seen, they are copied.

So now we come to my final point. Teaching is something that we all do. Our ideas, our thoughts and actions are all copied by others. Our attitudes, our opinions are as well. Every single part of our selves. 

If we are all teachers and are always teaching, and if all teachers have a moral obligation to act in the most ethical and perfect way possible, is this not the strongest reason for us all to consider twice our actions? To be the best we can be?

The next time you are about to hit your children, or talk about your boss behind his back, think not about whether what you are doing is right or wrong, but what message you will be sending to those around you. What you do becomes what they do, who you are becomes them. Make sure that you are the best that you can be, because you are always teaching, and we are always learning.

Viki: Message.