it pays to be good

on friday, i was returning to the staffroom after class when i saw a familiar face....he was looking visibly distressed. His face lit up in a broad smile when he saw me...I desperately tried to remember his name...i had taught him 3 years ago....Samuel?...Lionel?...His face fell - he said...I give you one more chance....As expected, I failed the test...Alex! mrs logan ...i thought i was your favourite student...
Desperate to change the subject..i said....its been so long....what are you doing here alex? From experience, I know that students(the grateful ones) come back the 1st and 2nd year after graduation.... then they move on...so i was surprised to see alex
he said he got into NTU 3 years ago but wants to try for NUS this year ...after ORD...he is loooking for his civics tutor but she has migrated to America. Looking upset again he said, what am i to do mrs logan? hesitantly he asked...would you do the appraisal for me?
My reply....Of course Alex! i may not remember your name but I remember you!!! i remember what a joy it was to teach you. u always gave me your undivided attention and made me laugh and looked as happy to see me as i was happy to see you...
"wow" mrs logan...i am touched ... he was smiling like a cheshire cat now... you will really do it for me?
i thought that this little anecdote - is so so approprite now...cos i have always told my students - give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.
every little thing you do and say is a reflection of yourself and will have repercussions on others or yourself in time to come.
Be nice.
Either Alex or Ervin once said - that he has lived by one of my maxims and repeats it often to his parents - IF YOU HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING......unless of course it is constructive criticism.
Be good and you will be surrounded by goodness.