It's My Pleasure

What a beautiful sentence that I hear so frequently from my students after they have generously served me. I know I’ve written about this before. I am once again reminded of the genuine, pure quality of their interest in serving. The term” without guile” keeps coming to me as a perfect description of who my students are. I cannot speak for all the millions of people in China and say they are all like this. But, I can say a little less than 100 of the students I have here in Xinzheng are very genuine in their service. Each time they serve me in any way and I thank them their response is “it’s my pleasure.”

One of my graduate students who is visiting campus and spending time with me this weekend made the comment that the World Academy for the Future of Women has changed her life.  She said “it is the most important and influential part of my whole education.” Another student said “I will serve you in every way because of your sacrifice to come teach us and make our lives so much powerful because of what we learn from you.”

When I share with them the difference they have made in my life they don’t get it. They are reluctant to accept my praise and validation of who they are and what they mean to me.

When I think of the millions of people in China and all that is being taught, learned and developed I feel like a grain of sand. I am but a speck in this big country trying to make a difference in the lives of women. I am teaching them how to be leaders, to stand up for themselves and make a difference in the world.  They are doing a wonderful job of it.

I am nothing like Mother Teresa (but would love to have even an ounce of her genuine love.) I quote her when asked by a journalist interviewing her about the hopeless task she was taking on in Calcutta. She said “My work is about love not statistics.” Another faculty member commented to me one day a few years ago about what a wonderful ministry I have here. I responded with “this is not a ministry I am teaching women how to tap into their divine selves and be who they are meant to be, and I love them.” I do feel so much love for the women in the academy and their love is reciprocated. Mother Teresa also said, “What we do here is nothing but a drop in the ocean, but if we didn’t do it, the ocean would be one drop less than it is.”

When the students express their gratitude and indebtedness to us as their facilitators all I can say to them is “It’s my pleasure.” I am beyond grateful to know women such as these and learn from their genuine love and service.