Precious Stones

Dear Students, here's my introductory message to you!

Passion 
sets 
imagination

on fire.

Fire breeds creation.

We are all creators

and creation is life.

So I believe

we all need

Space to create

And to breathe

People tell me

School is a place

Devoid of joy

Disconnected

from life

And laughter

They say

School is no fun, 
no playground

School is a fighting arena 
that brings you down

Well, here are some

of the things that I’ve learnt:

School is a mirror

of the world we live in

As in school, 
Out there in the world,

Most people wear

weaponry 'nd armour

Against one another

And we go around

Hiding our scars

Our fears and doubts

Protecting our wounds

'Cause we don’t want to seem

fragile or weak

fearing other people

may put us down

and expose us to ridicule

‘Cause we've been taught 
people will trick you, and cheat you,

beat you and defeat you.

And, what a shame,

people teach the young

That this is the truth.  

So every generation

Learns the same way.

And on and on

We cling to our fears,

And insecurities

Hiding our tears and anxieties

and we keep them safe

- What a waste! -

and guard them

like precious stones, 
these dark gems,

in our tight hearts 
and our clasped hands.

But, you know what? 
The best defence

is no defence at all

That’s what I hold

And wanna share with you all.

'Cause if you believe their lies –

You will believe

you are not good enough

To be loved

And grow

And flourish

And be happy

And you'll settle for average

Or even mediocrity

and will not dare

to collect

what you deserve.

And you become afraid to look

into yourself.

Oh, yes,

you may find frightening things,

but that’s not what puts you off.

What scares the hell out of you 
is that you might find out
how talented,

how prodigiously wonderful,

how unique you are!

But if you dare to take a look inside you,

Deep under the layers of fear, anger, and suspicion,

you will find pearls, sparkling diamonds, 
rubies, sapphires and emeralds –

your joy, your fire, your talents, your courage, 
your strength to be who you really are!

So today I dare myself and I dare you 
to open our hands and hearts 
and pick all those emeralds, sapphires and rubies, 
and diamonds, and pearls,  - 
and, yes, lay the dark gems on your bare hands too -  ... 
One by one, like beeds on a necklace, 
let’s make a guirland 
and decorate the classroom with them!

Teresa Jardim