I confess, I reached into my journaling and found this piece of writing I had written back in January 2017. I remember the night I describe like it was yesterday. Even now, my eyes are filling… my mind wondering … how many students “got me”? How many did I miss? And then I think, what about today, the people that are in my life now … I have these thoughts as the end of 2025 draws near.
January 2017
I made my way back to my office after winter graduation; it was a blustery night. The office suite was dark, and I was all alone.
After opening my office door my eyes fell upon a sealed envelope that had been slipped under my door. I paused to wonder, “What was I about to read?” The anonymous note read, “You will not remember me, I only had you for one class. The semester I had you, I was considering ending it all. You kept life real in class. You talked about prayer as if God really listened to you. After class I would hear the pretentious religious students with their ‘God in a box’ way of thinking talk about class and you, with great disapproval. They were not open to your direct, unvarnished and California way of teaching. You always had my attention.” The note went on …
I know keeping it real is hard for you at times, it showed; but please keep, keeping it real. One night I wrote down in my journal what you said one day in class, “Reality hurts before it heals, freezes the pain before it melts it away.” I am graduating. I have been accepted by an organization that is committed to reaching students just like me. Imagine that, me helping others?! Thank you Dr. E for always keeping it real. Merry Christmas.”
I crumpled in a pile after reading the note. I am convinced many professors do not know who walks through the doors of their academic cathedrals. Most pastors cannot see the depth of pain that amble through the doors of their hallowed stained-glass sanctuaries. The majority of corporate heads in America’s Fortune 500 firms cannot fathom the level of anxious desperation that walk into their walnut paneled conference rooms.
At the risk of being crass, might not keeping it real increase university retention, foster congregational healthfulness and possibly boost sales in corporate America? WARNING: Keeping it real might not get you a promotion, a sale or a grow a congregation… but get beyond yourself! Keep it real -- it begins with you!!
January 2017
I made my way back to my office after winter graduation; it was a blustery night. The office suite was dark, and I was all alone.
After opening my office door my eyes fell upon a sealed envelope that had been slipped under my door. I paused to wonder, “What was I about to read?” The anonymous note read, “You will not remember me, I only had you for one class. The semester I had you, I was considering ending it all. You kept life real in class. You talked about prayer as if God really listened to you. After class I would hear the pretentious religious students with their ‘God in a box’ way of thinking talk about class and you, with great disapproval. They were not open to your direct, unvarnished and California way of teaching. You always had my attention.” The note went on …
I know keeping it real is hard for you at times, it showed; but please keep, keeping it real. One night I wrote down in my journal what you said one day in class, “Reality hurts before it heals, freezes the pain before it melts it away.” I am graduating. I have been accepted by an organization that is committed to reaching students just like me. Imagine that, me helping others?! Thank you Dr. E for always keeping it real. Merry Christmas.”
I crumpled in a pile after reading the note. I am convinced many professors do not know who walks through the doors of their academic cathedrals. Most pastors cannot see the depth of pain that amble through the doors of their hallowed stained-glass sanctuaries. The majority of corporate heads in America’s Fortune 500 firms cannot fathom the level of anxious desperation that walk into their walnut paneled conference rooms.
At the risk of being crass, might not keeping it real increase university retention, foster congregational healthfulness and possibly boost sales in corporate America? WARNING: Keeping it real might not get you a promotion, a sale or a grow a congregation… but get beyond yourself! Keep it real -- it begins with you!!